Learning and Memory - Chapter 10

amygdala

A critical brain structure involved in processing fear and emotional responses

anxiety disorders

Mental health conditions involving excessive fear responses

arousal

A state of heightened physiological activation

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

System that controls involuntary bodily functions and stress responses

conditioned avoidance

Learned behavior to avoid threatening stimuli

cortisol

A stress hormone released during fight-or-flight response

depression

A mental health condition often linked with anxiety and trauma

emotion

Behavioral and physiological responses to stimuli

epinephrine

A stress hormone released during threatening situations

fight-or-flight response

Body's automatic response to threatening situations

flashbulb memory

Vivid memories of emotionally significant events

glucocorticoids

Stress hormones including cortisol

James-Lange theory of emotion

Theory proposing that physiological responses precede and cause emotional experiences (e.g., we feel sad because we cry, rather than crying because we feel sad)

learned helplessness

A state where individuals feel unable to escape negative situations

limbic system

Brain region involved in emotional processing

mood-congruency of memory

Tendency to recall memories matching current emotional state

perseveration

Persistent repetition of responses

phobia

Fear response triggered by specific stimuli

piloerection

Physical response involving hair standing on end

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Condition following trauma with persistent fear responses

stress hormone

Chemicals like epinephrine and cortisol released during stress

systematic desensitization

Treatment involving gradual exposure to fear-inducing stimuli