AP PSYCH Unit 2 (Chapter 3 & 4)

Vocabulary

Biological Psychology

a branch of psychology that connects links between biology and behavior

neuron

A nerve cell, or a neuron that consists of many different parts

dendrite

receives messages from other neurons

axon

It is the line in the neuron, its the spinal cord in the bubbles of the neuron, this carries messages out to other neurons

myelin sheath

This covers the axon of neurons and speeds the impulse

action potential

These are positive ions that are in and out of the neuron, these are also neurons that go through to send the messages ( moves from Left to Right)

threshold

These are neurons that receive depolarization and hyper polarization, the positive ions minus the negative ions exceed the minimum intensity(threshold), the neuron fires into action potential (" you are getting on my nerves")

synapse

a junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. This tiny gap is called the synapse gap or cleft.

neurotransmitters

These are chemicals that released from sending the neuron to travel across the synapse/bind to receptor sites on receiving the neuron which leads to action potential.

Acetylcholine

this enables muscle action, learning, and memory. This is mostly Alzheimer's disease and ACh -producing neurons deteriorating.

endorphins

natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

nervous system

the network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body.

central nervous system (CNS)

consists of the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.

nerves

Bundles of neuron fibers (axons) that are routed together in the peripheral nervous system.

sensory neurons

These neurons carry incoming information from sense receptors to the central nervous system (CNS), this prevents some of the heat and pain from your body.

motor neurons

this gives control to your hands and also moves them, moves from spinal cord to brain to interneuron (connects the 2 neurons) , carries outgoing information from CNS to muscles and glands.

interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles

Automatic Nervous System (ANS)

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart).

Sympathetic Nervous System

Fight or Flight. Part of the autonomic nervous system that accelerates HR, constricts blood vessels, and ↑ BP.

parasympathetic nervous system

rest and digest; the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus

neural networks

interconnected neural cells in the brain and neural network from inputs to outputs which is a web of nerves.

endocrine system

the body's "slow" chemical communication system. Communication is carried out by hormones synthesized by a set of glands.

hormones

are chemicals synthesized by the endocrine glands that are secreted in the bloodstream. Hormones affect the brain and many other tissues of the body.

adrenal glands

located on top of the kidney, helps regulate sugar in the body and bloodstream

pituitary gland

the " mastery gland" that controls everything (height, appetite, etc) and water and salt balance (hydration)

(brain) lesion

destroys brain tissue to study animal behaviors after destruction

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

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

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

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

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

radio and magnetic waves to make computer images for different types of brain tissues

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

brainstem

oldest part of brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells and enters skull which controls automatic survival functions

medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

reticular formation

a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

thalamus

the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

cerebellum

the "little brain" attached at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance (with ear fluid)

The Limbic system

doughnut - shaped neural system of neural structures located at border of the cerebral and brainstem hemispheres; associated with emotions (fear and aggression) and drives for food and sex. This includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.

amygdala

controls fear and anger (two almond shaped neural clusters)

hypothalamus

lies below the hypo, the thalamus directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature, & control of emotions), it helps govern the endocrine system via pituitary gland.

cerebral cortex

intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres. It is the body's ultimate control and information processing center. (its what you see & has everything [memories, emotions] )

glial cells

support cells found in the nervous system

frontal lobes

involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements (located at the forehead)

parietal lobes

receives sensory input for touch and body position ( located at the top to rear head)

Occipital lobes

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

temporal lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

motor cortex

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Sensory cortex

(parietal cortex) receives information from skin surface and sense organs

Association areas

More intelligent animals have increased "uncommitted" or association areas of the cortex

aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding).

Broca's area

Controls language expression- an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech via the motor cortex

Wernicke's area

a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe also interprets auditory code

plasticity

refers to the brain's ability to modify itself after some type of injury or illness

corpus callosum

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

split brain

a procedure in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them

environment

the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

behavior genetics

predicting individual differences & with the relative effects of hereditary and environment; Genes: Our codes of life, Twin studies, Temperament studies, Heritability, Gene

Chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes ( we have 46)

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes; deoxyribonucleic acid

Genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

Genome

is the set of complete instructions for making an organism, containing all the genes in that organism. Thus, the human genome makes us human.

Identical Twins

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

Fraternal twins

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

Temperament

refers to a person's stable emotional reactivity and intensity. Identical twins express similar temperaments, suggesting heredity predisposes temperament.

Heritability

refers to the extent to which the differences among people are attributable to genes

Interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

Molecular genetics

is a branch extension of behavior genetics that asks the question, "Do genes influence behavior?"

Evolutionary Psychology

studies why we as humans are alike. In particular, itstudies the evolution of behavior and mind using principles of natural selection.

Natural Selection

is an evolutionary process through which adaptive traits are passed on to ongoing generations because these traits help animals survive and reproduce.

Mutation

change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information

Gender

in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female

Culture

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

Norm

rules for accepted and expected behavior

Personal Space

the physical space individuals maintain between themselves and others

Individualism

The unique importance of each individual, culture nurtures the personal identity of a person

Collectivism

the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it; group identity is favored and culture is described as this.

Aggression

any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally

X chromosome

The sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.

Y chromosome

the sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.

testorsterone

"male" hormone produced in testicles, ovaries, and adrenal glands

Role

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave

Gender Role

expectations of how men and women are supposed to behave

Gender Identity

how a person views himself or herself in terms of gender

Gender

typing

Social learning Theory

proposes that we learn gender behavior like any other behavior—reinforcement, punishment, and observation.

Gender schema theory

suggests that we learn a cultural "recipe" of how to be a male or a female, which influences our gender

Consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment, interaction of individual brain events

Biological rhythms

periodic physiological fluctuations in the body, such as the rise and fall of hormones and accelerated and decelerated cycles of brain activity, that can influence behavior

circadian rhythm

occur on a 24

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.

Alpha waves

brain activity slows down to a large amplitude and slow, regular waves (9

Sleep

the irresistible tempter to whom we inevitably succumb (dreams\=mystery)

Hallucinations

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

Delta Waves

deepest sleep stages 3

Insomnia

Difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

overpowering urge to fall asleep that may occur while talking or standing up

Sleep apnea

failure to breathe while asleep

Night terrors

sudden arousal from sleep with intense fear accompanied by psychological reactions (e.g. rapid heart rate, perspiration) that occur during SWS

Dream

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