Unit 2 AP psych

a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

receives messages from other neuron cells

the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands (action potential take place here.

bubble that covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neuron impulses

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

level of stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse

A junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to the next.

Chemical messengers released from neuron to neuron.

A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction

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

brain, spinal cord, nerves

brain and spinal cord

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

neural "cables" containing many axons. These bundled axons, which are part of the peripheral nervous system, connect muscles, glands, and sense organs to CNS

neurons that control the senses, send impulse from sense organs to the spinal cord/brain (CNS)

carry outgoing info from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands

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

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

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

fight or flight response

a set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state (calming down)

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus

networks of nerve cells that integrate sensory input and motor output

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

chemicals synthesized by endocrine glands that are secreted in the bloodstream

Produces adrenaline and signals fight or flight response

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

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.

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

technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure (mentally map out)

shows brain activity at higher resolution than PET scan when changes in oxygen concentration in neurons alters its magnetic qualities

The oldest part and central core of the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions.

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

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

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

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion

outer region of the cerebrum, containing sheets of nerve cells; gray matter of the brain. the body's ultimate control and info processing center

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, taste, and temperature sensations

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

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

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

area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

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

controls speech muscles via the motor cortex

interprets audiotory code

the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

a broad band of nerve fibers joining the two hemispheres of the brain.

a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them

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

How much our genes and our environment influence our individual differences

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

Chemical factors that determine traits

all of an organism's genetic material

twins who come from one fertilized egg; twins having the same heredity

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

a person's stable emotional reactivity and intensity

the ability of a trait to be passed down from one generation to the next

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor

branch of behavior genetics that asks "do genes influence behavior?"

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

evolutionary process through which adaptive traits are passed on to ongoing generations

A random change in a gene or chromosome.

A random change in a gene or chromosome.

Beliefs, customs, and traditions of a specific group of people.

a value or attitude deemed acceptable by a group

the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies

the habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant.

when a society is more concerned about the community rather than individualism

physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt someone

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.

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

the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty

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

a set of expected behaviors for males or for females

the individual's sense of being male or female

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

cognitive developmental theory, we categorize and have a schema for gender that is derived from sex-differentiated practices

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning

A physiological cycle of about 24 hours that is present in all eukaryotic organisms and that persists even in the absence of external cues.

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.

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

periodic, natural loss of consciousness--as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

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

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

a 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 remembered