Psychology Test: AP Classroom

(Heredity, psychoactive drugs, neural communication, chemical messengers,brain plasticity, theories of motivation)

evolutionary psychology

study of how psychological traits/behaviors evolved over time to enhance reproductive success/survival

natural selection

organisms w better suited traits survive and repro. to pass on advantageous traits

nature

inherent Bio +genetic factors that influence psychological development traits behavior and cognititive funcitons

nurture

environmental influences that impact psychological development, behaviors, and cognitive functions

twin studies

examines similarties between identical and fraternal (mono vs dizygotic) twins to access influence of genes and environmental

adoption studies

investigate similarities between adopted kids and their biological/adoptive families for genetic vs environmental impact on traits (study of adoption diff/simi impacts)

family studies

analyze similarities and differences among family members to understand interplay of genetics and environment in shaping traits (study of family impacts)

heredity

transmission of genetic info from biological parents to offspring

eugenics

belief in improving genetic quality of human population by controlling reproduction and selecting for certain traits

genetic disposition

predisposition to developing certain traits or conditions due to genetic factors from parents (predisposed to traits)

psychoactive drugs

substance that alter your brain activity/function, leading to change in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition or behavior (act on CNS, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and opioids)

agonists

drugs that binds to neurotransmitter receptors and mimic effects to enhance brain activity (agonists= ACTivate)

antagonist

substance that binds to neurotransmitter but inhibits them, blocking neural activity/ the effects of the neurotransmitter

reuptake inhibitors

inhibit neurotransmitters from reabsorbing (reuptake) which increases concentration of neurotransmitters(dopamine, seratonin, norepinephrine) and increases neurotransmission

stimulants

drug to increase neural activity/arousal

ex. caffeine, methamphetamine, amphetamines (Adderall) cocaine, nicotine, ephedrine, phentermine)

caffine

natural stimulant acting on CNS to increase alterness and decrease fatigue by blocking neurotransmitter adenosine(inhibits the CNS, promotes sleep and relax)

cocaine

stimulant from cocoa plant, increase neural activity, energy, alertness and cause euphoria
blocks reuptake of dopamine, seratonin, and norepinephrine

depressant

drugs that slow neural activity and bodily functions, increase relaxation, sedation and lower inhibitions
ex. alcohol, benzodiazepines(valium), antipsychotics), antidepressents w sedative properties

alcohol

depressant drug to slow down neural activity in CNS; impairs judgement coordination & cog. functions; leads to relaxation, intoxication, and euphoria

hallucinogens

substances that alter perception, mood and cognitive functions; lead to hallucinations and change in conciousness
ex. LSD, DMT, Ketamine

marijuana

psychoactive drug w THC, altering mood, perception, and cognition; increase relaxation, sensory, and altered perception
ex. THC interact w cannabinoid receptors to disrupt brain chemicals

opioids

psychoactive drugs acting on opioid receptors, increase pain relief, euphoria, and sedation
ex. fentanyl, heroine, morphine (optimal pain relief)

heroine

addictive opioid from morphine, lead to increased euphoria, pain relief and sedation
ex. heroine binds to receptors and activat neural transmission of GABA= less pain signal neurons

tolerance

more psychoactive substance needed to produce same effects; brain adaption

withdrawl

symtops when someone stops using psychoactive substance
ex. nausea, dilated pupils, insomnia, anxiety

addiction

chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking; use leads to change in brain structure &function

neural transmission

process by which neurons communicate w each other through electrical and chem signalsy

threshold

lvl of stimulation required to trigger action potential in a neuron- minimal ant of stim. needed to produce response

action potential

the electrical impulses traveling along the neuron axon, causing inside of cell to be more positively charged than outside

all-or-nothing principle

once neurons reach threshold of excitation, fires action potential

depolarization

phase of action potential- inside of neuron turns less negative than outside because of influx of + charged ions(sodium) through ion channels in cell membrane, (depolar, -,+=+)

refractory period

brief PD where neurons unable to generate another action potential- neuron sodium channels become temporarily inactivated (refresh period)

resting potential

the stable negative electrical charge across the cell membrane of neurons when not actively transmitting signals (resting charge)

reuptake

process of neurotransmitters released into synanse reabsorbed by pre-synaptic neuron (recycling neurotransmitters)

multiple sclerosis

chronic autoimmune disorder- affects CNS (brain+spinal cord), attacking myelin sheath

myasthenia gravis

chronic autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular junction (nerve impulses transmitted to muscles) by destroying acetylcholine receptors

neurotransmitters

chemical messengers transmitting signals between neurons allowing for communication within the nervous system

excitatory neurotransmitters

chem. released by neurons to increase likelihood of action potential occurring in postsynaptic neuron; bind to receptors sites to depolarize & make action potential more likely

glutamate

primary excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS, key for synaptic transmission and neural communication (glued to your mate)

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

chem. released by neurons to decrease likelihood of action potential occurring in postsynaptic neuron

GABA

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in CNS, cause relaxation and less anxiety

dopamine

neurotransmitter playing crucial role in regulating mood, reward, motivation, and movement (reward neurotransmitter)

seratonin

neurotransmitter playing role in mood, sleep, appetite, and stress regulation through release in prefrontal cortex and amygdala

endorphins

neurotransmitter produced by brain and CNS as natural pain relief and mood enhancer; released via stress, pain, or physical activity (end all pain)

substance p

neurotramsitter involved in transmitting pain signals in nervous system (substance of pain)

acetylcholine

neurotransmitter in CNS and PNS for muscle contraction, memory, and learning; released from motor neurons @ neuromuscular junction

hormones

chem. messengers produced by glands in endocrine system that travel through bloodstream to target cells & organs to regulate various physiological processes/behaviors

ghrelin

hormone made by stomach/small intestine to stimulate appetite and promote hunger(growl)

leptin

hormone made by fat cells regulating energy balance and appetite; acts on hippocampus to suppress appetite (lipid lets stop eating)

melatonin

hormone for regulating sleep/wake cycle and circadian rhythm

oxytocin

hormone and neurotransmitter for social bonding (love hormone/neurotransmitter)

adreneline

hormone and neurotransmitter for body stress response (fight or flight)

norephinephrine

hormone & neurotransmitter, flight/flight & regulates arousal, attention, and stress

nervous system

body communication network, consists of nerves, neurons, and specialized cells

central nervous system

consists of brain and spinal cord- command center of body for processing info, coordinating responses, and regulating bodily functions (CORE- brain +spinal cord)

peripheral nervous system

all the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord, serves as communication network, transmitting sensory info from brain to CNS (everything outside the CNS)

automatic nervous system

division of PNS that regulates involuntary bodily functions; consists of sympathic nervous system and parasympathic nervous system

sympathic nervous system

activates flight/flight, increase heart rate, dilates airway, and redirects blood to essential organs in response to perceived threats (stress= sympathic=fight or flight

parasympathic nervous system

promotes relaxation and restoring body to calm state after stress/danger; slows heart rate, constrict airway and enhance digestion to conserve energy and recover from stress (pausing/post sympathic)

somatic nervous system

division of PNS for voluntary movements and relaying sensory info from body to CNS (somatic=body)

reflex arc

neural pathway that controls reflexes, sensory neurons detect stimuli and send signal to spinal cord. interneurons relay info to motor neurons to trigger reflexive muscle

interneurons

nerve cells that connect within the CNS to relay signals between neurons and motor neurons

sensory neurons

specialized nerve cells to transmit sensory info from sensory receptors like skin muscle and organs to CNS(brain and spinal cord); detect stimuli and convert into electrical signals to be processed by the brain

glial cells

support cells of nervous system; provide structure insulation and nourishment to neurons

plasticity

refers to the brains ability to reorganize and adapt throughout life through experiences, learning and envir. changes

split brain research

study indiv, who undergoes surgical procedures called corpus callosotomy which helps disconnect 2 hemispheres

contralateral hemispheric organizatoin

phenomenon of each hemisphere controlling opposite side of body

hemispheric specialization

explored through split brain research; a concept that stats each hemisphere has specialized function/ability

linguistic processing

complex cog. processes for understanding + producing language

broca’s area

located in left hemisphere and responsible for speech production and language processing

broca’s aphasia

language disorder caused by dmg ot broca’s area in left hemisphere from stroke/brain injury; causes difficulty talking

wernickes area

region in left hemisphere (temporal lobe) for language comprehension and understanding spoken and written elanguage

wernickes Aphasia

language disorder cz dmg to wernicke’s area from stroke/brain injury; they cant understand/comprehend and speak nonsensee

electroencephalogram, EEG

noninvasive neuroimaging technique for recording electrical activity in brain

functional magnetic resonance imaging “fMRI”

neuroimaging for brain activity by detecting blood flow +O2 levels

lesioning

research technique of cutting/dmging specific areas of brains in animal to study brain function

instincts

innate, fixed patterns of behavior in animals triggered by specific stimuli driving them to act in predictable ways

drive-reduction theory

behavior motivated by need to reduce internal physiological deficits, like hunger or thirst to restore homeostasis