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psych
unit 1
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Heredity (nature) | Genetic factors inherited from parents that influence behavior and traits |
| Environmental Factors (nurture) | External influences such as upbringing, experiences, and culture that shape behavior and development |
| Evolutionary Perspective | The approach that explains behavior and mental processes through natural selection and adaptation |
| Central Nervous System | The brain and spinal cord; processes information and controls bodily functions |
| Peripheral Nervous System | Nerves and ganglia outside the CNS that connect the CNS to the rest of the body |
| Autonomic Nervous System | Part of the PNS that automatically controls involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion |
| Somatic Nervous System | Part of the PNS that controls voluntary skeletal muscles and transmits sensory information |
| Sympathetic Nervous System | Division of the ANS that activates "fight or flight" responses during stress |
| Parasympathetic Nervous System | Division of the ANS that activates "rest and digest" responses and promotes relaxation |
| Neuron | A specialized cell that transmits electrical and chemical signals throughout the nervous system |
| Glial Cells | Support cells in the nervous system that insulate neurons, provide nutrients, and maintain homeostasis |
| Reflex Arc | The simplest neural pathway; allows rapid automatic responses without brain involvement |
| Sensory Neurons | Neurons that transmit information from sensory receptors to the CNS |
| Motor Neurons | Neurons that transmit commands from the CNS to muscles and glands |
| Interneurons | Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons; found primarily in the CNS |
| All-or-Nothing Principle | The principle that a neuron either fires completely or not at all; there is no partial firing |
| Depolarization | The process by which a neuron's membrane potential becomes less negative, moving toward an action potential |
| Refractory Period | The brief time after an action potential during which a neuron cannot fire again |
| Resting Potential | The negative electrical charge of a neuron at rest (approximately -70 mV) |
| Reuptake | The process by which neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic cleft and recycled |
| Threshold | The minimum level of stimulation needed to trigger an action potential in a neuron |
| Multiple Sclerosis | An autoimmune disease that damages the myelin sheath, disrupting neural communication |
| Myasthenia Gravis | An autoimmune disorder affecting acetylcholine receptors, causing muscle weakness |
| Neurotransmitter | A chemical messenger that transmits signals across synapses between neurons |
| Excitatory Neurotransmitter | A neurotransmitter that increases the likelihood of an action potential in the receiving neuron |
| Inhibitory Neurotransmitter | A neurotransmitter that decreases the likelihood of an action potential in the receiving neuron |
| Dopamine | A neurotransmitter involved in movement, motivation, reward, and pleasure |
| Serotonin | A neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite |
| Norepinephrine | A neurotransmitter that increases arousal and alertness; released during stress |
| Glutamate | The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain; involved in learning and memory |
| GABA | The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain; promotes relaxation |
| Endorphins | Neurotransmitters that reduce pain and produce feelings of pleasure and well-being |
| Substance P | A neurotransmitter involved in pain perception |
| Acetylcholine | A neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction, learning, and memory |
| Hormones | Chemical messengers released by endocrine glands that regulate bodily functions |
| Adrenaline | A hormone released during stress that increases heart rate and prepares the body for action |
| Leptin | A hormone produced by fat cells that signals fullness and reduces appetite |
| Ghrelin | A hormone produced by the stomach that increases appetite and food intake |
| Melatonin | A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep-wake cycles |
| Oxytocin | A hormone involved in bonding, trust, and social attachment |
| Psychoactive Drug | A substance that alters mood, perception, or consciousness |
| Agonist | A drug that mimics or enhances the action of a neurotransmitter |
| Antagonist | A drug that blocks or inhibits the action of a neurotransmitter |
| Stimulants | Drugs that increase neural activity and arousal |
| Caffeine | A mild stimulant found in coffee and tea that increases alertness |
| Cocaine | A powerful stimulant that increases dopamine levels, causing euphoria and addiction |
| Depressants | Drugs that decrease neural activity and arousal; slow down the CNS |
| Alcohol | A depressant that slows neural processing and impairs judgment |
| Hallucinogens | Drugs that alter perception and produce hallucinations |
| Marijuana | A hallucinogen derived from cannabis; affects perception and memory |
| Opioids | A class of drugs that bind to opioid receptors and reduce pain and produce euphoria |
| Heroin | A potent opioid derived from morphine; highly addictive |
| Tolerance | The need for increasing amounts of a drug to achieve the same effect |
| Addiction | Compulsive drug use despite negative consequences; involves physical and psychological dependence |
| Withdrawal | Unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms that occur when stopping drug use |
| Brain Stem | The lower part of the brain that controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate |
| Medulla | The part of the brain stem that controls involuntary functions like breathing and heart rate |
| Reticular Activating System | A network in the brain stem that controls arousal and sleep-wake cycles |
| Brain's Reward Center | The area of the brain (nucleus accumbens) that processes pleasure and motivation |
| Cerebellum | The brain structure responsible for coordination, balance, and motor skill learning |
| Cerebral Cortex | The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-order thinking and consciousness |
| Hemispheres (2) | The two halves of the cerebral cortex (left and right) that process different types of information |
| Limbic System | A group of brain structures involved in emotion, memory, and motivation |
| Thalamus | The brain structure that relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex |
| Hypothalamus | A small brain structure that regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, and hormone release |
| Pituitary Gland | The "master gland" that controls hormone release throughout the body |
| Hippocampus | A brain structure in the limbic system involved in forming new memories |
| Amygdala | A brain structure in the limbic system involved in processing emotions, especially fear |
| Corpus Callosum | The bundle of fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres |
| Occipital Lobes | The lobes at the back of the brain responsible for vision |
| Temporal Lobes | The lobes on the sides of the brain involved in hearing and memory |
| Parietal Lobes | The lobes at the top-back of the brain involved in sensation and spatial awareness |
| Association Areas | Regions of the cerebral cortex involved in higher-order processing like thinking and problem-solving |
| Frontal Lobes | The lobes at the front of the brain involved in planning, decision-making, and movement |
| Executive Functioning | Mental processes involved in planning, organizing, decision-making, and impulse control |
| Prefrontal Cortex | The front part of the frontal lobe involved in executive functioning and impulse control |
| Somatosensory Cortex | The area of the parietal lobe that processes touch and body sensations |
| Motor Cortex | The area of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary muscle movements |
| Split-Brain Research | Studies of patients with a severed corpus callosum examining hemispheric specialization |
| Hemispheric Specialization | The division of labor between the two hemispheres; each specializes in different functions |
| Broca's Area | A brain region in the frontal lobe involved in speech production |
| Wernicke's Area | A brain region in the temporal lobe involved in language comprehension |
| Aphasia | A language disorder resulting from brain damage affecting speech or comprehension |
| Split Brain Patient | A person with a severed corpus callosum; used in research to study hemispheric functions |
| Contralateral Hemispheric Organization | The principle that each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body |
| Brain Plasticity | The brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections throughout life |
| Brain Scans (EEG, fMRI) | Neuroimaging techniques used to observe brain activity and structure |
| Lesioning (Brain Surgical Procedure) | A research technique in which brain tissue is destroyed to study the effects on behavior |
Created by:
greyson meeker