Ap Psychology Unit 2

Central Nervous System

the brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.
Everything but the brain and spinal cord.

two types - somatic and autonomic.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of peripheral, controls involuntary actions such as the glands and the muscles of the internal organs.

Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms

Sympathetic Nervous System

Arouses the body for stressful situations, one of the two systems of the autonomic nervous system.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.

Somatic Nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.

Phineas Gage

railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behavior; case played a role in the development of the understanding of the localization of brain function

Prefrontal lobotomy

an operation that uses ablation (process of removing/destroying some brain tissue) to control behavior. Consists of disconnecting the prefrontal cortex from the rest of the brain.

Gene

A segment of chromosome that encodes the directions for the inherited psychical and mental characteristics of an organism

(The words that make up the organisms instruction manual)

Hormone

chemical messengers that are manufactured buy the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues.

Limbic System

the part of the brain involved in our behavioural and emotional responses
doughnut-shaped neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres

Homeostasis

a tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level

Chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes.

Endocrine system

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream

Pituitary gland

the endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

Thyroid gland

regulates metabolism

Glial cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task. (PET)

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp. (EEG)

Endorphins

"morphine within" - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. Shows brain anatomy (MRI)

Heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. This may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.

Behavioral genetics

the study of genetic and environmental influences on behaviors. By examining genetic influence, more information can be gleaned about how the environment operates to affect behavior.

Natural selection

the principle that, among the range of inherited variation, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Resting potential

the axon gets its energy from charged chemicals called ions. Has a slight negative charge. Only fire when enough energy to do so. (-)

cant work because they have slight negative charge

Action potential

when the cell becomes excited, it triggers, which reverses the charge and causes the electrical signal to race along the axon. (+)

Midbrain

coordinates simple movements with sensory information.

Serves important functions in motor movement, particularly movements of the eye, and in auditory and visual processing.

Receptors

receive and transduce signals

Identical twins

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.

All-or-none principle

once action potential is released it cannot go back. The axon either fires or doesn't, it cannot have a slight fire.

Computed Tomography scan (CT)

A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body. Also called CT scan.

Dizigotic twins

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer that brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment. (Fraternal)

fMRI scan

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. Shows brain function

Hindbrain

part of the brain on top of our spinal cord. Controls basic biological structures.

Acetylcholine

a neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory and muscle movement

Spinal cord

cable of nerves that connects brain to rest of the body.
"Communications superhighway"

Longterm Potentiation (LTP)

the more you use a neural pathway, the quicker that pathway becomes.

Reuptake

a process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles

Agonists

excite, makes the neuron fire, releases extra neurotransmitters

Antagonists

inhibit, stops neural firing

Neurons

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Dendrite

receiving end of the neuron

Soma

cell body of a neuron, assesses messages before passing along

Axon

long transmitter that extends from soma- sends message from dendrite to axon terminal

Myelin sheath

protects and insulates axon and the electrical signal, speeds up the neural impulse

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

occurs when myelin sheath is damaged, electrical signals sometimes don't make it across

Afferent neurons

also known as sensory neurons, act as a one way street that carries information from the body to the brain

Efferent neurons

also known as motor neurons, act as a one way street that transports messages away from the brain to the body.

Interneurons

act as the middleman to relay messages from sensory/motor neurons to other neurons

Refractory period

the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated. Recharging.

Action potential- order of action

dendrites, soma, axon, axon terminal

Consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Hypnosis

a social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) suggests to another (the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur

NOT possible to be hypnotized against your will.

Posthypnotic Suggestion

a suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clincians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors

less inhibitions, but will not do something that you would normally not want to do.

ex) would not stab someone, would do something embarrassing though.

Dissociation

a split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others

Sleep

periodic, natural loss of consciousness--as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

Circadian Rhythm

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle

REM Sleep

rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active

Beta Waves

awake and alert waves

Alpha Waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state- perfect for studying

NREM Sleep

Non-REM- non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

Theta waves

stages 1 and 2 of sleep NREM

Delta waves

stage 3 of sleep NREM

Hallucinations

false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

Hypnagogic Sensations

hallucinations or vivid visual events e.g. falling

Insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

Sleep Apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

Night Terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during Stage 3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered

Dream

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind. Notable for their hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities, and incongruities, and for the dreamer's delusional acceptance of the content and later difficulties remembering it.

Manifest Content

according to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream (as distinct from its latent, or hidden, content)

Latent Content

according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content)

Dream Theory: Information Processing

dreams help us sort out the day's events and consolidate our memories

Dream Theory: Physiological Function

regular brain stimulation from REM sleep may help develop and preserve neural pathways

Dream Theory: Activation Synthesis

REM sleep triggers the pons to send random signals to the upper part of the brain, creating dreams.

Dream Theory: Cognitive Theory

dreams are the embodiment of thoughts

REM Rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep)

Psychoactive Drug

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

Substance Use Disorder

a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. When you're addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.

Withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

Depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Barbiturates

type of depressant, depresses the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

Opiates

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Stimulants

drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstacy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Nicotine

A type of stimulant, a highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

Cocaine

A type of stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

Amphetamines

stimulant, drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

Methamphetamine

stimulant, a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

Ecstasy

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition.

Hallucinogens

psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide)

Marijuana

hallucinogen, dopamine/THC/anandamine

THC

the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations

Brain stem

Innermost and oldest region of brain, connects brain to spinal cord

Made up of 4 regions

Medulla oblongata

Part of brainstem, controls basic life functions. Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure. Unconscious

Injured = on life support/dead

Pons

Part of brainstem, involved in facial expressions, maintains sleep-wake cycle

Pons: P-osition O-f (your face)
: S-leep

Cerebellum

Coordinates fine muscle and body movements. bottom rear of brain

Alcohol's impact on the brain

Impacts the cerebellum, off balance, difficulty with fine muscle movements

Initially it is a stimulant, then it is a depressant.

Considered a depressant

Thalamus

In forebrain, receives sensory info and sends to the appropriate areas of forebrain

Everything but smell

Reticular formation

Part of brain stem, controls arousal and ability to focus attention