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AP Psychology Unit 2 Flashcards

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15006376741Biological Psychologythe scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes Ex:0
15006376742Dendritesa neurons bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body Ex:1
15006376743Myelin Sheatha fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next Ex:2
15006376744Refractory Perioda period of inactivity after a neuron has fired Ex:3
15006376745All-or-Nothing Responsea neurons reaction of either firing (with a full strength response) or not firing4
15006376746Neurotransmitterchemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. when released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptors on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse5
15006376747Endorphins"morphine within" - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitter linked to pain control and and pleasure6
15006376748Antagonista molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response7
15006376749Central Nervous System (CNS)the brain and spinal cord8
15006376750Nervesbundled axons that form neural 'cables' connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs9
15006376751Motor (efferent) Neuronsneurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands10
15006376752Somatic Nervous Systemthe division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles11
15006376753Sympathetic Nervous Systemthe division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations12
15006376754Reflexa simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus Ex: knee jerk reaction13
15006376755Hormoneschemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect others14
15006376756Pituitary Glandsthe endocrine systems most influential gland. under the influence of the hypothalamus, regulates growth and controls other other endocrine glands15
15006376757Computed Tomography (CT) Scana series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by a computer into into a composite representation of a slice of the brains structure16
15006376758lesiontissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue17
15006376759Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scana visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain is given a task18
15006376760Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a computer-generated image of soft tissue and brain anatomy19
15006376761Thalamusthe brains sensory control center, located on the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla20
15006376762Cerebellumthe "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory21
15006376763Amygdalatwo lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion22
15006376764Cerebral Cortexthe intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information processing center23
15006376765Frontal Lobesportion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgement24
15006376766Motor Cortexan area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements Ex: waving25
15006376767Association Areasareas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in the primary motor and sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions Ex: learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking26
15006376768Corpus Callosumthe large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them27
15006376769Consciousnessour awareness of ourselves and our environment28
15006376770Dual Processingthe principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks29
15006376771Environmentevery external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us30
15006376772DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes31
15006376773Genomethe complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes32
15006376774Fraternal Twins (Dizygotic Twins)twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment33
15006376775Heritabilitythe proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. the heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied34
15006376776Epigeneticsthe study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change35
15006376777Natural Selectionthe principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations36
15006376778Neurona nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system37
15006376779Axonthe neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands38
15006376780Action Potentiala neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon39
15006376781Thresholdthe level of stimulation required to trigger a neural response40
15006376782Synapsethe junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron to the dendrites or cell body of the receiving neuron. the small gap at this site is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft41
15006376783Reuptakea neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron42
15006376784Agonista molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response43
15006376785Nervous Systemthe body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems44
15006376786Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body45
15006376787Sensory (afferent) Neuronsneurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord46
15006376788Interneuronsneurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs47
15006376789Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms48
15006376790Parasympathetic Nervous Systemthe division of the automatic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy49
15006376791Endocrine Systemthe body's "slow" chemical communication; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream50
15006376792Adrenal Glandsa pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress51
15006376793Electroencephalogram (EEG)an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface. these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp52
15006376794Functional MRI (fMRI)a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show show brain function and structure53
15006376795Brainstemthe oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions54
15006376796Medullathe base of the brainstem; controls the heartbeat and breathing55
15006376797Reticular Formationa nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important part role in controlling arousal56
15006376798Limbic Systemneural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives57
15006376799Hypothalamusa neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward Ex: eating, drinking, body temperature58
15006376800Glial Cells (glia)cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking59
15006376801Parietal Lobesportion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position60
15006376802Temporal Lobesportion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear61
15006376803Somatosensory Cortexarea at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations62
15006376804Plasticitythe brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience63
15006376805Split Braina condition resulting from surgery that isolates tge brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mostly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them64
15006376806Cognitive Neurosciencethe interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition Ex: perception, thinking, memory, and language65
15006376807Behavior Geneticsthe study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior66
15006376808Chromosomesthreadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes67
15006376809Genesthe biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins68
15006376810Identical Twins (monozygotic twins)twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into two, creating two genetically identical organisms69
15006376811Molecular Geneticsthe subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes70
15006376812Interactionthe interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor Ex: environment and heredity71
15006376813Evolutionary Psychologythe study of the evolution of behavior and mind, using principles of natural selection72
15006376814Mutationa random error in gene replication that leads to a change73
15006376815Occipital Lobesportion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields74
15006376816Conscousnessour awareness of ourselves and our environment75
15006376817hypnosisa social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur76
15006376818Postthypnotic suggestiona suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized77
15006376819Dissociationa split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others78
15006376820circadian rhythmthe biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle79
15006376821REM sleepRapid 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.80
15006376822alpha wavesthe relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state81
15006376823sleepperiodic, natural loss of consciousness--as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation82
15006376824Hallucinationsfalse sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus83
15006376825delta wavesthe large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep84
15006376826NREM sleepnon-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep85
15006376827suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness86
15006376828insomniarecurring problems in falling or staying asleep87
15006376829NarcolepsyA sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.88
15006376830sleep apneaa sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings89
15006376831night terrorsa sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during Stage 4 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered90
15006376832dreama 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.91
15006376833manifest contentaccording to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream (as distinct from its latent, or hidden, content)92
15006376834latent contentaccording to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content)93
15006376835REM reboundthe tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep)94
15006376836substance use disordercontinued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk95
15006376837psychoactive druga chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods96
15006376838Tolerancethe diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect97
15006376839addictioncompulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences98
15006376840withdrawalthe discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior99
15006376841Depressantsdrugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions100
15006376842alcohol use disorderalcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use101
15006376843Barbituratesdrugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment102
15006376844Opiatesopium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety103
15006376845StimulantsDrugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.104
15006376846Amphetaminesdrugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes105
15006376847Nicotinea stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco106
15006376848Cocainea powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria107
15006376849Methamphetaminea powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels108
15006376850Ecstasy (MDMA)a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition.109
15006376851Hallucinogenspsychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input110
15006376852LSDa powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide)111
15006376853near-death experiencean altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as through cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations112
15006376854THCthe major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations113
15006376855William Jamesfounder of functionalism; studied how humans use perception to function in our environment114
15006376856Ernest Hilgardbelieved hypnosis involves not only social influences but also a special state of dissociation115
15006376859Sigmund Freud116

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