AP Psych Unit 1B Vocab

Biological psychology

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.

Biopsychosocial approach

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Levels of analysis

The different complementary views from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.

Neuroplasticity

The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

Lesion

Tissue destruction. Brain lesions may occur naturally (from disease or trauma), during surgery, or experimentally (using electrodes to destroy brain cells).

EEG (electroencephalogram)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

A brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity.

CT (computed tomography) scan

A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure.

PET (positron emission tomography)

A technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. These scans show brain anatomy.

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. These scans show the brain function as well as structure.

Hindbrain

Consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; directs essential survival functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and wakefulness, as well as coordination and balance.

Midbrain

Found atop the brainstem; connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, controls some motor movement, and transmits auditory and visual information.

Forebrain

Consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus; manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and association functions, and voluntary motor activities.

Brainstem

The central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions.

Medulla

The hindbrain structure that is the brainstem’s base; controls heartbeat and breathing.

Thalamus

The forebrain’s sensory control center, located at the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

Reticular formation

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus; it filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal.

Cerebellum

The hindbrain’s “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

Limbic system

Neural system located mostly in the forebrain – below the cerebral hemispheres – that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary gland; associated with emotions and drives.

Amygdala

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion, enabling aggression and fear.

Hypothalamus

A limbic system neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system, and is linked to emotion and reward.

Hippocampus

A neural center in the limbic system that helps process explicit (conscious) memories of facts and events for storage.

Cerebral Cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the forebrain’s cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center.

Frontal Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; enable linguistic processing, muscle movements, higher-order thinking, and executive functioning (such as making plans and judgments).

Parietal Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; it receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Occipital Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from visual fields.

Temporal Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives information primarily from the opposite ear; also enables language processing.

Motor Cortex

A cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory Cortex

A cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

Association Areas

Areas of the cerebral cortex not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons.

Corpus Callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

Split Brain

A condition resulting from surgery that separates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them.