AP Psychology Unit 1 Pt. 1

Flashcards for Unit 1 of AP Psych as revised for the 2024-2025 school year. I will be making these for all units, so enjoy! Currently updated through 1.4.

Nature vs. Nurture

Controversy over impact of genetic factors versus environmental factors in development.

Natural Selection

Concept developed by Darwin that outlines that animals with the best traits are “selected” and reproduce to spur evolution.

Eugenics

Discredited and racist concept of science with the fixation of selectively breeding humans for ideal genetic makeups.

Evolutionary Psychology

The discipline of psychology focusing on the study of evolution’s impacts on the brain and behavior.

Behavior Genetics

Study of the relative power of environmental and genetic factors on behavior.

Second Darwinian Revolution

The application of psychological principles to the study of evolution.

Environmental

Term denoting all non-genetic influences.

Heredity

The genetic transfer of characteristics.

Genes

Segments of DNA molecules that serve as the biochemical units of heredity.

Gene Therapies

Treatments focusing on editing genetic expression.

Polygenetic

Term denoting that something is influenced by many separate genes.

Identical/Monozygotic Twins

Twins that come from the splitting of a single egg, and are genetically clones of each other.

Fraternal/Dizygotic Twins

Twins that come from two separate fertilized eggs, possess the same genetic differences found across normal siblings.

Epigenetics

Molecular mechanisms that affect the way that genes express themselves.

Epigenetic Marks

Things like methyl groups that attach to DNA strands to change gene expression.

Nervous System

The body’s electrochemical communication network that includes all nerve cells in the CNS and PNS.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The body’s cognitive center, controls the rest of the body.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

System that receives information from the CNS and communicates that information to the rest of the body.

Nerves

Electrical cables formed by bundles of axons.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry messages from tissues to the CNS (afferent).

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry messages from the brain towards the body (efferent).

Interneurons

Neurons that make up the majority of all neurons, that process and modify signals.

Somatic Nervous System

System that enables voluntary control of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

System that controls glands and organs, self regulating.

Sympathetic Nervous System

System of arousal in the body–fight/flight.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

System that conserves energy and calms the body–rest/digest.

Amount of Neurons in the Brain

Approx. 100 billion (estimates vary).

Neural Networks

Groups of neurons working together to interpret and modify signals.

Spinal Cord

CNS structure that relays information out from the brain, also contains simple/reflex circuits.

Dendrites

Branched projections that receive, integrate, and send information to the cell body.

Axon

Segmented neuron extension that passes messages.

Myelin Sheath

Fatty substance surrounding the axon, provides insulation and speeds impulses.

Glial Cells

Umbrella term for support cells in the brain.

Resting Potential

State in which the exterior of the axon’s membrane is suspended in mostly positive ions and the inside is filled with negative ions.

Depolarization

The loss of resting potential in a neuron causing ion channels to open.

Excitatory Neurons

Cause other neurons to fire.

Inhibitory Neurons

Cause other neurons to not fire.

Threshold

Term denoting the amount of excitatory signals needed to overcome inhibitory ones.

Refractory Period

Period of time after a neuron fires in which it is unable to fire again.

All or None

A neuron either fires or doesn’t, it can’t partially fire.

Synapse

Junction where messages are sent across different neurons.

Synaptic Cleft

Area of space between two neurons at the synapse, where neurotransmitters cross over.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers used to relate information between neurons at the synapse.

Reuptake

The process in which excess neurotransmitters are are reabsorbed by the sending neuron.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

A specific class of drugs (e.g. Prozac) that prevent the reuptake of serotonin.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Neurotransmitter enabling muscular action, learning, and memory.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter implicated in movement, learning, attention, emotions, and rewards.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter implicated in mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter implicated in alertness and arousal.

Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Most common inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Glutamate

Most common excitatory neurotransmitter, implicated in memory.

Endorphins

Opiates naturally produced by the body that affect perception of pain/pleasure.

Substance P

Neurotransmitter implicated in pain perception and immune response.

Myasthenia Gravis

Condition in which ACh receptors are blocked, leading to loss of muscular function.

Agonists

Molecules that increase the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonists

Molecules that block the production or release of neurotransmitters. (e.g. botulin)

Endocrine System

The body’s slower communication system that utilizes hormones to communicate.

Hormones

Chemical messengers sent through the bloodstream, sensations from these tend to last longer.

Pituitary Gland

Structure controlled by hypothalamus that is responsible for the release of certain hormonal messages, e.g. oxytocin, cortisol.

Substance Use

Disorder characterized by continued substance use which disrupts normal functioning.

Tolerance

Continued drug use where the brain adapts to the sensation.

Addiction

Condition where cravings are prompted by increasing doses which prompt continued drug use.

Depressants

Classification of drugs that reduce neural activity and slow bodily function.

Alcohol

The most common depressant drug.

Barbituates

Tranquilizers that depress CNS activity and impair memory and judgement.

Opioids

Class of depressants that include heroin, methadone, and pain relief narcotics, can block endorphin production.

Stimulants

Classification of drugs that excite neural activity and speed up functioning.

Cocaine

Addictive derivative of the coca plant that can lead to extreme euphoria or agression.

Nicotine

Highly addictive tobacco extract.

Amphetamines

Stimulants which release a large amount of dopamine, e.g. meth.

MDMA

Stimulant which releases stored serotonin and prevents its reuptake.

Hallucinogens

Classification of drugs also known as psychedelics which distort images and evoke sensory perceptions.

LSD

Also know as acid, hallucinogen which evokes colorful images.

Marijuana

Drug containing THC which can induce hallucinations and amplify sensitivity to stimuli.

Phrenology

Discredited form of science focusing on the shape of the skull.

Neuroplasticity

The brain’s ability to change and adapt over time.

Lesion

Research method involving the destruction of neural tissue to alter/research neural function.

Optogenetics

Technique allowing scientists to control individual neurons using light.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Type of scan that produces an amplified readout of brainwaves.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Type of scan that measures magnetic fields produced through neural electrical activity.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Type of scan that examines the brain through x-ray photographs, can show brain damage.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Type of scan that depicts brain activity by showing consumption of sugar glucose.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Type of scan that uses magnetic waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Type of scan that reveals brain functioning and structure by showing blood flow.

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)

Type of scan that shines infrared light onto blood molecules to identify activity–machinery is compact.

Hindbrain

Section of brain that contains the medulla, pons, and cerebellum–controls survival, coordination, and balance.

Midbrain

Section of brain above hindbrain that controls some movement and transmits audio and visual information.

Forebrain

Section of brain that controls complex cognitive activity, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary movement.

Brainstem

Brain structure at base of skull, controlling autonomic functions.

Medulla

Brainstem structure that controls heartbeat and breathing, located at base of brain.

Pons

Brainstem structure above medulla that controls coordination and sleep.

Contralateral Hemisphere Organization

Term describing that the body is organized where each hemisphere of the brain corresponds to the opposite side of the body.

Thalamus

Forebrain structure atop the brainstem which acts as a relay station for sensory information.

Reticular Formation

Nerve network in brainstem that filters incoming stimuli and controls arousal.

Cerebellum

Hindbrain structure that processes sensory input, coordinates movement, and enables nonverbal learning/memory.

Limbic System

System in brain that coordinates emotions, drives, and memory formation.

Hypothalamus

Forebrain structure situated under the thalamus, directs maintenance activities to maintain homeostasis.

Nucleus Accumbens

Limbic system structure associated with reward/motivation stimuli.

Hippocampus

Forebrain structure associated with memory formation.

Corpus Callosum

Nerve tract separating left and right cerebral hemispheres.