AP Psychology Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior

physiological psychology

a branch of psychology that studies the relationship between biological processes and behavior, focusing on how the brain and nervous system influence thoughts, emotions, and actions.

traits

characteristics or qualities that influence behavior and personality in individuals.

evolutionary perspective

a theoretical approach in psychology that examines how evolutionary processes such as natural selection shape human behavior, thoughts, and emotions.

heritability

the proportion of variation in a trait that can be attributed to genetic factors within a population.

environmentality

the proportion of variation in a trait that can be attributed to environmental factors within a population.

nature vs nurture debate

the discussion concerning the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to human development and behavior.

nervous system

the network of cells that coordinates actions and reactions by transmitting signals throughout the body, consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

central nervous system (CNS)

the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information and coordinating activity throughout the body.

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

the portion of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the limbs and organs, encompassing all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

neurons

A neuron (or nerve cell) is the fundamental, functional unit of the nervous system. It is a specialized, electrical cell designed to receive, process, and transmit information across the body using a combination of electrical impulses and chemical signals.