AP Psych (Unit 1A)

Evolutionary Perspective

The study of how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time to enhance survival and reproductive success

Natural Selection

Organisms with traits suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to future generations

Nature “Genes”

The inherent biological and genetic factors that influence a person psychological development, traits, behaviors and cognitive abilities

Nurture “Enviroment”

Enviromental influences and experiences that shape a person’s psychological development, behaviors and cognitive processes

Twin Studies

Studies identical and fraternal twins to see what influence genetics and nature has on personality and behavior

Adoption Studies

Studies similarities between adopted children and their biological and adoptive families to see what impact of genetics vs environment has on traits and behaviors

Family Studies

Studies similiarities and differences between family members to understand how genetics and environment shape traits and behaviors in a family unit

Heredity

Transmission of genetic info from biological parents to offspring

Genetic Predisposition

Inheritied likelihood of developing specific traits or conditions due to genetic factors from biological parents

Eugenics

The belief in improving the genetic quality of population by controlling reproduction to increase desirable traits and decrease undesirable

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, including thinking, perceiving, and decision-making

Lobes of the Brain

Four main regions into which the cerebral cortex is divided (Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal)

Association Areas

Parts of the Brain that take information from everywhere to help us understand the world

Frontal Lobes

Located at the front of the brain and are involved in higher-level cognitive functions, including decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and personality expression

Prefrontal Cortex

Region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions and executive functioning.

Executive Functioning

Cognitive processes that allow the ability to plan, organize, strategize, focus attention, regulate emotions, and manage time effectively

Motor Cortex

Region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for planning, executing, and controlling voluntary movements of the body.

Parietal Lobes

Located at the top of the brain and are primarily responsible for processing sensory information from the body, such as touch, temperature, and spatial awareness

Somatosensory Cortex

Region of the brain located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints (touch, pain, pressure, temperature)

Occipital Lobes

Located at the back of the brain and is primarily responsible for processing visual information received from the eyes

Temporal Lobes

Located on the sides of the brain and are involved in processing auditory information, language comprehension, and memory formation

Corpus Callosum

Connects left and right hemispheres of the brain and allows for communication and info sharing between them

Brainstem

The oldest and most primitive part of the brain, responsible for basic life-sustaining functions such as breathing, heart rate, and sleep-wake cycles

Medulla

Structure located at the base of the brainstem, regulating essential autonomic functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure

Reticular Activating System

A network of neurons located in the brainstem that plays a critical role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness

Cerebellum

Located at the back of the brain, below the cerebral hemispheres, responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture

Limbic System

Located beneath the cerebral cortex and is a set of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motivation

Reward Center

Network of brain structures, primarily located in the limbic system, that processes pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors associated with them

Thalamus

Relay station in the brain that processes and relays sensory information, such as sight, sound, touch, and taste, to the cerebral cortex

Hypothalamus

Small but powerful structure located below the thalamus, responsible for regulating various essential bodily functions, including hunger, thirst, body temperature, and the sleep-wake cycle

Pituitary Gland

Pea-sized gland that regulates hormone production and secretion

Hippocampus

Curved structure located within the brain's temporal lobes, primarily responsible for forming and consolidating new memories

Amygdala

Located in temporal lobes, mainly processes fear and aggression

Central Nervous System

The (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord. It serves as the command center of the body, responsible for processing information, coordinating responses, and regulating bodily functions

Peripheral Nervous System

All nerves and ganglia outside of brain and spinal cord, a communication network transmitting sensory information from the body to the central nervous system

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements, contains parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system

Sympathetic Nervous System

Responsible for activating fight or flight mode in stressful situations

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Brings the body back to a calm state after stress or danger

Somatic Nervous System

Controls involuntary movements and relays sensory info from body to CNS

Neurons

Specialized cell that serves as the building block of the nervous system, transmitting electrical and chemical signals throughout the body

Glial Cells

The "support cells" of the nervous system, provide structural support, insulation, and nourishment to neurons

Motor Neurons = message senders

Nerve cells that transmit signals from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles, glands, and organs, initiating and controlling voluntary and involuntary movements

Sensory Neurons = message recievers

Specialized nerve cells that transmit sensory information from sensory receptors, such as those in the skin, muscles, and organs, to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)

Interneurons = message processors

Nerves cells that serve as connectors within the central nervous system, relaying signals between sensory neurons and motor neurons

Reflex Arc

Pathway that controls reflex actions, allowing for rapid, automatic responses to sensory stimuli without conscious thought

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential in a neuron. It is the minimum amount of stimulation necessary to produce a response

Action Potential

Brief electrical impulse that travels along the axon of a neuron

All-Or-Nothing Principle

Once a neuron reaches its threshold of excitation, it will fire an action potential at full strength

Depolarization

Phase of action potential where the inside of the neuron becomes less negative compared to the outside due to the influx of positively charged ions

Refractory Period

Brief period after an action potential where a neuron is unable to generate another action potential

Resting Potential

The stable, negative electric charge on the cell membrane of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting signals

Reuptake

Process in which neurotransmitters that have been released into the synapse are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron from which they were originally released

Multiple Sclerosis “MS”

Chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system

Myasthenia Gravis

Chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction, where nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons, allowing for communication within the nervous system

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Chemical released by neurons that increase the likelihood of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron.

Glutamate

Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, playing a key role in synaptic transmission and neuronal communication. It is involved in various brain functions, including learning, memory, and neural plasticity

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released by neurons that decrease the likelihood of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron

GABA

In the CNS, promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety

Dopamine

Plays a crucial role in regulating mood, reward, motivation, and movement

Serotonin

Plays a vital role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and stress

Serotonin

Happy, plays a vital role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and stress

Endorphins

Natural pain relievers and mood enhancers

Substance P

Transmit pain signals

Acetylcholine

Involved in various functions, including muscle contraction, memory, and learning

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that travel through the bloodstream to target cells or organs, where they regulate various physiological processes and behaviors

Ghrelin

Stimulates appetite and promotes hunger

Leptin

Suppresses appetite, tells when you’re done eating

Melatonin

hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms in the body

Oxytocin

Hormone that plays a role in a social bonding

Adrenaline

Fight or flight

Norepinephrine

Also involved in the body's "fight or flight" response, regulating arousal, attention, and stress

Plasticity

Refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes

Split Brain Research

Studies individuals who have undergone a surgical procedure called corpus callosotomy, which disconnects the two hemispheres of the brain

Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

The phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body

Hemispheric Specialization

Explored through split brain research, refers to the concept that each hemisphere of the brain has specialized functions and abilities

Linguistic Processing

The complex cognitive processes involved in understanding and producing language

Broca’s Area

Responsible for speech production and language processing

Broca’s Aphasia

Language disorder caused by damage to Broca's area in the left hemisphere of the brain, often resulting from stroke or brain injury

Wernicke’s Area

Involved in language comprehension and understanding spoken and written language

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Language disorder caused by damage to Wernicke's area in the left hemisphere of the brain, typically resulting from stroke or brain injury

Electroencephalogram “EEG”

Non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging “fMRI”

Neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels

Lesioning

Research technique used to study brain function by intentionally damaging or destroying specific areas of the brain in experimental animals