AP Psych Combined Sets

Endorphins

"Morphine within," an opiate-like neurotransmitter that the body produces naturally; it is linked to pain control and pleasure.

Describe what professionals in the following subfields do: -Biological Psychologists -Developmental Psychologists -Cognitive Psychologists -Personality Psychologists -Social Psychologists

-Biological Psychologists: explore the links between brain and mind -Developmental Psychologists: study changing abilities from birth to death -Cognitive Psychologists: experiment with how people process, think, and solve problems -Personality Psychologists: investigate persistent traits -Social Psychologists: explore how people view and affect one another

First Women in Psychology

-Mary Whiton Calkins was admitted into James' (creator of Functionalism) Harvard seminar, despite objections from the school president and all of his male students to dropping out in opposition. Whiton finished all requirements for a Ph.D. from Harvard and earned the best test scores in the school but Harvard denied her the degree and tried to give her a lesser one, which she did not accept. Later, she became the American Psychological Association's (APA) first female president. Margaret Floy became the first woman to earn the Ph.D. and the second APA female president.

Psychiatry

A branch of medicine practiced by physicians that deals with psychological disorders.

Community Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments/communities and how social institutions affect people and groups. (How individuals relate to their COMMUNITY)

Clinical Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats those with psychological disorders. (CLINICAL/medical diagnosis and treatment)

Split Brain

A condition resulting from surgery to eliminate seizures that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the Corpus Callosum, which usually would connect them. Examining those with this condition, we can see the independent processing of each hemisphere specifically. Each hemispheres can comprehend and follow an instruction to copy different figures at the same time with the left and right hands. The brain may not even know what it is drawing or not be able to get the words out to express it.

Basal Ganglia

A deep brain structure within the Cerebellum; it works in tandem with the Cerebellum. (BASAL=B=Buried within Cerebellum, B=Both have same functions)

Myelin Sheath

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing some neurons' axons; enables greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next. (SHEATH of armor covers one's body, MYELIN SHEATH covers neuron's axons)

Agonist

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter's action (excitatory); it can also block reuptake in the synapse and mimic neurotransmitters, opening the receptor site and creating a temporary high. (AGONIST is the opposite of Antagonist so it is the "good guy, " increases action).

Antagonist

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter's action (inhibitory) by blocking production or release. (ANTAGONIST="bad guy" in a story, inhibits action)

Reticular Formation

A nerve network inside the brain stem that plays the key role in controlling AROUSAL (as in consciousness). (RETICULAR=R=Roll o put of bed and start day)

Hypothalamus

A neural structure in the Limbic System laying below (Hypo) the Thalamus. It maintains homeostasis in the body by directing several maintenance activities such as regulating body temperature, hunger, thirst, etc. It also contributes to the Fight or Flight Response and controls sexual arousal. LINKED TO REWARD!!!!!!! Overall, t is responsible for the 4 F's: -Feeding -Freezing -Fleeing -****ing (HYPOTHALAMUS=H=Homeostasis, remember 4 F's)

Limbic System

A neural system located between the cerebral hemispheres and associated with emotions and drives. (LIMBIC=L=Love)

Axon

A neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands (AXON passes neuron's messages ON)

Dendrites

A neuron's bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the Cell Body. (Messages go RITE from many parts of the body to the DENDRITES)

All-or-None Response

A neuron's reaction to either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing. While a strong stimulus can trigger more neurons to fire more often, the Action Potential's strength and speed are uniform and cannot be changed. (ALL (full-strength response) or NONE (no response)

Adrenal Glands

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (such as Adrenaline and Norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress. (ADRENAL=A=Arousal)

Reflex

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus. (REsponse)

SQ3R

A study method incorporating 5 steps: -survey (look at headers and organization), -question (answer learning objective question) -read -retrieve (test yourself) -review (read notes and talk out loud)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain activity. (Uses MAGNETIC fields to produce images)

Corpus Callosum

A thick band of neural fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres and enabling communication.

Position Emission Tomography Scan (PET)

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task. (POSITION=where the glucose goes, TOMOGRAPHY=scan that creates image)

Left Brain

Active when a person is speaking or calculating. It can make quick, literal interpretations of text and create and process speech

Right Brain

Active when a person performs a perceptual task. It excels in making inferences, helping us speak in a clear manner, and helping us be self-aware.

Electroencephalogram (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 scalp. (ELECTRO, measures electric activity on brain, measured by ELECTROdes)

Counseling Psychology

Assists people with problems in living to achieve greater well-being. (COUNSELS those with problems)

Neuron

BASIC DEFINITION: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system, each contains a Cell Body and Dendrites. (The NNNervous system is composed of NEURONS) MORE INFO: Neurons transmit messages when stimulated by signals from our senses or when triggered by chemical signals from neighboring neurons.

Cross-Cultural/Social-Cultural Psychology

Biologically, we are all the same despite how we were raised. Culture, the shaped ideas and behaviors that one generation passes to the next, greatly shapes human behavior and people's personalities (nurture), making no two people alike. (Affects of CULTURE)

Psychology's First Laboratory

Born in 1879 in Germany, William Wundt and his graduate students created an experiment measuring the lag time between people hearing a sound and pressing a button. One group was told to press the button as soon as the heard the sound and the other was told to press it once they were consciously aware of perceiving the sound. The second group had a slower response since it takes longer to be aware of one's consciousness.

Nerves

Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glandes, and sense organs. (NERVES connect Nervous system)

Glial Cells (Glia)

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; may also play a role in learning thinking and memory. (GLIAL CELLS are other CELLS that GGGuard neurons, as well as more)

Hormones

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues. When they act on the brain, they influence our interest in sex, food, and aggression. (MONES=sex)

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross the Synaptic Gap between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, they travel across the gap and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse. Some neurotransmitters can be linked to certain behaviors and emotions and an undersupply or oversupply of these can cause disorders (ex. Dopamine, Endorphins, Norepinephrine, etc.). (TRANSMIT NEURO impulses)

Spinal Cord

Connects the brain (central nervous system) and the peripheral nervous system; it is a two-way information highway because ascending neural fibers send up SENSORY INFORMATION and descending fibers send down MOTOR-CONTROL INFORMATION. (CORD that connects the two parts of the nervous system)

Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary movement, specifically specialized movements (hands, face, etc.) and works with the Cerebellum to coordinate movements. When a hemisphere is triggered, a part of the body on the opposite side than the hemisphere will move (ex. Left hemisphere triggered, right arm flails). This can be mapped by stimulation. (MOTOR=movement)

Natural Selection

Created by Darwin, the idea that nurture selects traits that best enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment. (SELECTS the most helpful traits and passes those on)

Freudian Psychology/Psychoanalytic Perspective

Created by Sigmund Freud; states that adult personality (conscious thought processes and emotional responses) is determined by childhood experiences. Brought up the ideas of id (selfishness), ego (social conscience), and superego (moral compass) as parts of the brain. (F=fetal)

Learning Tips

Distribute study time, learn to think critically, process class information actively, and overlearn

Psychology's Three Levels of Analysis: Biological Influences (Examples)

EXAMPLES: -Genetic predispositions (genetically influences traits) -Genetic mutations -Natural Selection of adaptive traits passed down -Genes responding to environment

Psychology's Three Levels of Analysis: Psychological Influences (Examples)

EXAMPLES: -Learned fears and expectations -Emotional responses -Cognitive processing and perceptual interpretations

Psychology's Three Levels of Analysis: Social-Cultural Influences (Examples)

EXAMPLES: -Presence of others -Cultural, societal, and family expectations -Peer and group influences -Compelling models such as the media

Psychology

Early definition of psychology was "the science of mental life." Now it is defined as the science of behavior (any observable thing an organism does) and mental processes (internal experiences we infer from behavior).

Ions

Electrically charged atoms, these are exchanged in the neuron's chemistry-to-electricity process. (I AM ON, electricity)

Reuptake

Excess neurotransmitters' reabsorption by the sending neuron. (The sending neuron is RE (again) TAKING UP the excess neurotransmitters)

Cognitive Psychology

Explores how we perceive, process, and remember information. This approach has been very helpful in treating and better understanding patients with mental disorders. Cognitive Neuroscience studies brain activity underlaying mental activity. (Focuses on COGNITION)

Gender Psychology

Gender can biologically affect how a person acts. Men and women have reportedly different dreams, ways of expressing emotion, and risk for certain psychological disorders. (GENDER has a biological influence)

Behaviorism

Made introspection obsolete; The theory that human and animal behavior can only be explained through data and calculations. In order to study something scientifically, you must be able to OBSERVE it. (Studies how people BEHAVE and respond in different situations)

Diffusion Spectrum Imaging Machine

Maps long-distance brain connections. (SPECTRUM is a long range, long-distance connections)

Testing Effect

Memory is enhanced after retrieving (self-testing and rehearsing previously studied materials), rather than just rereading information. It is also known as "retrieval practice effect" or "test-enhanced learning." (TEST oneself)

Lesion

Naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue. Scientists lesion clusters of brain cells to eliminate them without harming surrounding tissue. (LESION=Less, destroy small part of brain without damaging the rest)

Sensory (afferent) Neurons

Neurons that carry INCOMING information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord. (AFFERENT=A so first/incoming, SENSORY neurons send information from the sensory receptors)

Motor (efferent) Neurons

Neurons that carry OUTGOING information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands. (EFFERENT=E which is after A so after/outgoing, MOTOR neurons send information to muscles)

Interneurons

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs. (Not motor or sensory, but INTER/in between the two, sends messages INTERnally between the two)

Biological Perspective

One of the psychological perspectives from the last chapter.; The Biological Perspective is concerned with the link between biology and behavior. Some people who specialize in this are psychologists working in neuroscience, behavior genetics, and evolutionary psychology. (BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE=BBBiology and BBBhavior)

Thalamus

Pair of egg-shaped structures on top of the brainstem that act as the brain's sensory control center. It receives information from all senses (besides smell) and sends it to higher brain functions that deal with these senses. It receives some relies from these regions, which it sends to the Medulla and Cerebellum. (Post office of the brain, THALA=5, T(touch, taste)H(hear)ALAMUS(see))

People are Biophsychosocial Systems. What does this mean?

People are composed of subsystems, which are composed of subsystems, which are composed of subsystems, etc. (Everything put together, long word and long system)

Why is Phrenology important?

Phrenology, which was discovered by Franz Gall, is the study of bumps on a person's skull to reveal their character and mental abilities. This was quickly disproven, but made popular the idea of LOCALIZATION OF FUNCTION (various brain regions have particular functions). (Never heard of PHRENOLOGY since it was disproven, P=Particular)

Functionalism

Promoted by James, who was inspired by Darwin's ideas of evolution. James considered for what purpose humans had developed thoughts and feelings. He concluded that the function of consciousness is to allow humans to consider their pasts, adjust to their presents, and plan their futures. It is an adaptive trait helpful for survival and thriving. (Evaluates the FUNCTION of consciousness)

Structuralism

Promoted by Wundt and Titchener, focused on INTROSPECTION to reveal the mind's structure. Introspection was proven unreliable since it requires smart and self-aware people and results vary based on people and experiences. (STRUCTURES always have an inside that holds deeper layers)

Basic Research

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base. (General and BASIC information)

Humanistic Psychology

Rejected Behaviorism and Freudian Psychology; current environmental influences can affect human growth potential. It says that human growth potential never ends, as well. (HUMAN growth potential)

Pineal Gland

Responsible for Circadian Rhythm (24 hour hormonal changes in the body) and helps with adjustment to seasonal changes.(PINEAL=PINE=Seasonal changes, such as pine trees dying or growing, would cause Seasonal Affective Disorder if this is faulty)

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for planning and making judgements, personality, and speaking and muscle movements. The front part of this is the PREFRONTAL CORTEX, is implicated in many complex behaviors (part of Association Areas). (FRONT/first thing you do to someone is make JUDGEMENTS about them. You WALK to them and SPEAK to them, revealing your PERSONALITY).

Temporal Lobe

Responsive for learning, comprehension of language, and some (not much) visual perception, as well as mystical experiences. It receives information primarily from the opposite ear. (TEMPORAL=T=Teaching/learning/comprehension of language)

Occipital Lobe

Responsive for vision. (OCCIPITAL=O=optic aka sight)

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI)

Reveals the brain's function, as well as its structure. Compares successful MRI scans; revealing blood flow and brain activity. (F+MRI, more than a normal MRI as it compares many MRIs)

Applied Research

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems. (APPLIED to a specific problem)

Lateralization

Some neural functions are more dominant in one area or hemisphere than others.

Cerebellum

The "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; it processes sensory input, coordinates voluntary movement, controls balance and coordination, houses PROCEDURAL memories (how to do something), and enables non-verbal learning and memory. (CEREBELLUM=C=Coordination, Control of voluntary movement and non-verbal learning (these are most important))

Endocrine System

The body's "slow" chemical communication system (takes longer to send messages but they usually resonate for longer); a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream. (ENDO=into?) Its cycle is BRAIN to PITUITARY GLAND to OTHER GLANDS to HORMONES to BODY AND BRAIN

Nervous System

The body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems. (NERVOUS=nerve cells)

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord; body's decision maker. (CENTRAL to the body, runs down the center, CENTRAL component to decision making)

Neural Connections

The brain's (in Central Nervous System) neurons that cluster into "work groups" to form connections with one another. When learning something, experience strengthens these connections. (Clusters of NEURONS that form CONNECTIONS with one another)

Cell Body

The cell's life support center.

What are psychology's three main levels of analysis?

The differing complementary views, from Biological to Psychological to Social-Cultural, for analyzing a given phenomenon. When looked at together, they allow for a more complete view of any given behavior or mental process.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. (SOMATIC=S, skeletal)

Pituitary Gland

The endocrine system's most influential/"master" gland, under the influence of the Hypothalamus, the Pituitary Gland regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands (directs them to release hormones). (PITUITARY=P=Princess=Royalty=Control of kingdom (endocrine system))

Cerebral Cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center (aka outside of brain is covered by neural cells). (CEREBRAL means brain, which is also the body's control and information-processing center)

Synapse

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at the junction is called the SYNAPTIC GAP.

Neuron's Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse. (cross the THRESHOLD to trigger it)

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord; the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body; it gathers information and sends it off. (PERIPHERAL so related to central but not as all-important)

Action Potential

The neuron's response to stimulation by signals from our senses or by chemical signals from neighboring neurons; it is a neural impulse, a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. When this impulse is fired, the first section of the axon opens so positive SODIUM ions flood into the cell membrane (THIS IS DEPOLARIZATION (LOSS OF -/+ DIFFERENCE)). This triggers all other channels to open like dominos. After this, the neuron takes a REFRACTORY PERIOD, where it rests and repolarizes so thaty it can fire again. (Movement/ACTION in response to stimulation, opens axon)

Brainstem

The oldest and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swell and it enters the skull. It is responsible for automatic survival functions. (STEM going down from brain (imagine brain is flower and this connects it to the ground), like the BRAIN it is necessary for survival and enables automatic survival functions, remember that this brain part is so old because humans couldn't survive without it)

Positive Psychology

The scientific study of human functioning, with the goals of discovering and prompting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities thrive. Says that happiness is a byproduct of a pleasant and meaningful life. (POSITIVE effects)

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The self-regulating division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs, thus influencing heartbeat, digestion, and glandular activity. There are two divisions of the ANS that work together to maintain homeostasis. The first is the SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, which arouses the body and monitors its energy (SYMPATHETIC to our exhaustion and helps us by getting us up). The other is the PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, which has the opposite effect as it calms the body and conserves its energy (opposite of sympathetic). (AUTONOMIC Nervous System AUTOMATICALLY performs functions without us knowing it)

Resting Potential

The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse; the fluid interior is mostly negatively charged POTASSIUM ions and the fluid outside the axon's membrane (semi-permeable) is mostly positively charged SODIUM ions. (REST, +/- balance is contained and not moving)

Psychological Science

The study of inner space, the brain, and how it creates consciousness; the "science of mental life."

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of natural selection. (EVOLUTION/natural selection elements)

Behavior Genetics

The study of the relative power and limits of environmental influences on behavior using genetic methods. (What affects BEHAVIOR?)

Cerebrum

The two cerebral hemispheres. (CEREBRUM=more than one)

Excitatory/Inhibitory Signals

These are signals that neurons receive from other neurons. Excitatory Signals speed the neuron up, and Inhibitory Signals slow it down. If an Excitatory Signal exceeds a neuron threshold, then the Action Potential is triggered. (SIGNALS from other neurons that EXCITEs or INHIBIT the speed of the receiving neuron)

Pons

This is above the Medulla, it coordinates movements and controls sleep/dreams and arousal/alertness (Automatic functions since it is a part of the brainstem, P(position since it controls movements)O(on, arousal)NS(sleep).

Medulla

This is the swelling that occurs when the brain and brainstem meet, it is the base of the brainstem, and controls heartbeat and breathing. (Automatic functions since it is a part of the brainstem, ME=I wouldn't be alive without these most primary functions, my heart and lungs)

What is the main goal of all psychological subfields? What are some of these subfields?

To describe and explain behavior and the mind underlaying it.

Amygdala

Two lima-sized neural clusters in the Limbic System, associates with emotions. It attaches emotion and significance to events and is responsible for fear and emotion. Also, it reacts to the fight or flight response. (AMYGDALA=A=Anger)

Left Handedness

When somebody is left handed, it means that they process speech in their left, right, or both hemispheres. Left Hemisphere is most common. Right handed people cannot process speech in their right hemisphere.

Nature vs. Nurture

How much of human behaviour is determined by the environment and how much is determined by their genetics. (NURTURE works on what NATURE endows)

Biological/Neuroscience Perspective

How the brain and body enables emotions, memories, and sensory experiences. Also says we can inherit traits from ancestors. (BIOLOGY affects actions and emotions)

Hippocampus

In Limbic System, responsible for transferring memories from short-term to long-term memory storage. (HIPPOCAMPUS=H=Holding onto memories, CAMPUS=school, remembering what you learn; without it you would only be able yo remember things for about 30 seconds at a time)