Behavioural Psychology Flashcards
(140 cards)
1
Q
Genes
A
The basic units of heredity. creating the proteins that make up our physical structures
2
Q
DNA
A
molecule formed in a double-helix shape that contains four nucleotides, adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine
3
Q
Genotype
A
genetic makeup of an organism. the unique set of genes that compromise that individuals genetic code
4
Q
Phenotype
A
physical traits and behavioural characteristics that show genetic variation
5
Q
Chromosomes
A
structures in the cellular nucleus that are lined with all of the genes an individual inherits
6
Q
Homozygous
A
2 Corresponding genes at a given location on a pair of chromosomes are the same
7
Q
Heterozygous
A
2 corresponding genes at a given location on a pair of chromosomes differ
8
Q
Behavioural genomics
A
The study of DNA and the ways in which specific genes are related to behaviour
9
Q
Human Genome Project
A
massive effort to identify the components of the entire human genome
10
Q
Behavioural genetics
A
study of how genes and the environment influence behaviour
11
Q
Monozygotic twins
A
come from a single egg which makes them genetically identical
12
Q
Dizygotic twins
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2 separate eggs fertilized by 2 different sperm cells that share the same womb
13
Q
Heritability
A
statistic expressed as a number between 0 and 1. represents the degree to which genetic differences between individuals
14
Q
Epigenetics
A
changes in gene expression that occur as a result on experience and that do not alter the genetic code
15
Q
CRISPR-cas9
A
technique that allows genetic material to be removed added or altered in specific locations of the genome
16
Q
Natural selection
A
favourable traits become increasingly common in a population of interbreeding, individuals while traits that are unfavourable less common
17
Q
Evolution
A
change in frequency of genes occurring in an interbreeding population over generations
18
Q
Evolutionary psychology
A
attempts to explain human behaviours based on the beneficial functions they may have served in our species development
19
Q
Hunter-Gatherer theory
A
links performance on specific tasks to the different roles performed by males and females over the course of our evolutionary history
20
Q
Neurons
A
one of the major types of cells found in the nervous system that are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body
21
Q
cell body (soma)
A
the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus that houses the cells genetic material
22
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Dendrites
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small branches radiating from the cell body that receive messages from other cells and transmit those messages toward the rest of the cell
23
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Axon
A
transports information in the form of electrochemical reactions from the cell body to the end of the neuron
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Q
Axon terminals
A
bulb-like extensions filled with vesicles
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Neurotransmitters
chemicals that function as messengers allowing neurons to communicate with each other
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Gilial cells
involved in mounting immune responses in the brain, removing waste, and synchronizing the activity of the billions of neurons
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Myelin
fatty sheath that insulates axons from one another resulting in increased speed and efficiency of neural communication
28
Multiple sclerosis
immune system does not recognize myelin and attacks it. process that can devastate the structural and functional integrity of the nervous system
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Resting potential
relatively stable state during which the cell is not transmitting messages
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Ion Channels
small pores on the neurons cell membrane
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Action potential
wave of electrical activity that originates at the beginning of the axon near the cell body and rapidly travels down its lengths
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Refractory period
brief period in which a neuron cannot fire
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synapse
area consisting of neurons, axon terminals and a different neurons dendrites
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presynaptic cell
the neuron that releases its neurotransmitters into the synapse
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postsynaptic cell
the neuron that receives neurotransmitters from the presynaptic cell
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all-or-none principle
Individual nerve cells fire at the same strength every time an action potential occurs
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synaptic cleft
the minute space between the axon terminal and the dendrite
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reputake
neurotransmitter molecules that have been released into the synapse and reabsorbed into the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron
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Glutamate
most excitatory neurotransmitter in the brains or vertebrae
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GABA
primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the nervous system, prevents neurons from generating action potentials
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Acetylcholine
one of the most widespread neurotransmitters within the body, found at the junctions between nerve cells and skeletal muscles a very important voluntary movement
42
Dopamine
A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in such varied functions as mood, control of voluntary movement and processing of rewarding experiences
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Norepinephrine
monamine synthesized from dopamine molecules that is involved in regulating stress responses, including increasing arousal, attention and heart rate
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Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
hormone and neurotransmitter created in the adrenal gland on the kidneys
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serotonin
monoamine involved in regulating mood, sleep agression and apetite
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agonists
drugs that enhance or mimic the effects of a neurotransmitters action
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Antagonists
inhibit neurotransmitter activity by blocking receptors or preventing synthesis of a neurotransmitter
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hormones
chemicals secreted by the glands of the endocrine system
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Hypothalamus
a brain structure that regulates basic biological needs and motivational systems
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pituitary gland
master gland of the endocrine system, produces hormones and sends commands about hormone production
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Adrenal glands
pair of endocrine glands located adjacent to the kidneys that release stress hormones
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endorphin
hormone produced by pituitary gland and hypothalamus. reduce pain and induce feelings of pleasure
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Testosterone
driving physical and sexual development over the long term
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Central nervous system (CNS)
brain and the spinal cord
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Brain
interprets and stores information, communicates with muscles, glands and organs
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spinal cord
pathway connecting the brain and the peripheral nervous system
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Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. somatic and autonomic
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Somatic nervous system
nerves that control skeletal muscles. voluntary and reflexive movement
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Autonomic nervous system
regulating the activity of organs and glands
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sympathetic nervous system
fight or flight responses. increased heart rate. prepare body for action
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parasympathetic nervous system
works to bring body back to non-emergency state
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Cerebral hemispheres
nearly symmetrical halves of the brain that contain the same structures
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Hindbrain
Brainstem and cerebellum
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Brainstem (medulla and pons)
breathing, heart rate, wakefulness
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cerebellum
balance, coordination, timing of movements attention and emotion
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Midbrain
Superior Colliculus, Inferior colliculus
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Superior Colliculus
orienting visual attention
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Inferior Colliculus
Orienting auditory attention
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Forebrain
Basal Ganglia, Amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus
70
Basal Ganglia
Movement, reward processing
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Amygdala
emotion
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hippocampus
memory
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hypothalamus
temperature, regulation, motivation
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thalamus
sensory relay station
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Cerebral cortex
Occipital lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, frontal lobe
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occipital lobe
visual processing
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parietal lobe
sensory processing, bodily awareness
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temporal lobe
hearing, object recognition, language emotion
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frontal lobe
though, planning, language movement
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Reticular formation
involved with attention and alertness
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Parkinsons disease
conditioned marked by major impairments in voluntary movement
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Huntingtons disease
condition involving uncontrollable movements of the body, head and face
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tourettes syndrome
uncontrollable facial movements
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limbic system
integrated network involved in emotion and memory
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Neuroplasticity
capacity of the brain to change and rewire itself based on individual experience
86
Trophic factors
can stimulate the growth of new dendrites and axons
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Lesioning
researchers intentionally damage an area in the brain
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sham group
animals that go through surgical procedures
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Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
electromagnetic pulse is delivered to a targeted region of the brain
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Structural imaging
produces images of the different structures of the brain
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computerized tomography (CT scan)
x-rays are sent through the brain by a tube that rotates around the head
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
clear images of the brain are created based on how different neural regions absorb and release energy
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Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
measure white-matter pathways in the brain
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Functional neuroimaging
which areas of the brain are active when a person performs a particular behaviour
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Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
low level of radioactive isotope is injected into the blood and movements of particular brain are measured
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Functional resonance magnetic imaging (fMRI)
measures brain activity by detecting the influx of oxygen-rich blood into neural areas that were just active
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Circadian rhythms
internally driven daily cycles of approximately 24 hours affecting physiological and behaviour processes
98
polysomnography
set of objective measurements used to examine physiological variables during sleep
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REM sleep
a stage of sleep characterized by quickening brain waves, inhibited body movement and rapid eye movement
100
restore and repair hypothesis
idea the body needs to restore energy levels and repair any wear and tear experienced during the days activities
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preserve and protect hypothesis
preserving energy and protecting the organism from harm
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sleep deprivation
when an individual cannot or does not sleep
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sleep displacement
when an individual is prevented from sleeping at the normal time may be able to sleep earlier or later in the day
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jet lag
sleep cycles are out of place with light and darkness
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Manifest content
the images and storylines that we dream about
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Latent content
actual symbolic meaning of a dream built on suppressed sexual or aggressive urges
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activation-synthesis hypothesis
dreams arise from brain activity originating from bursts of excitatory messages from pons
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problem-solving theory
thoughts and concerns are continuous from waking to sleeping. Dreams may function to facilitate finding solutions to problems encountered when were awake
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insomnia
disorder characterized by an extreme lack of sleep
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Nightmares
vivid and disturbing dreams that occur during REM sleep
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night terrors
intense bouts of panic and arousal that awaken an individual, typically in a heightened emotional state
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REM behaviour disorder
a condition that does now show the typical restriction of movement during REM sleep. appear to be acting out contents of their dream
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Somnambulism
sleepwalking involves wandering and performing others tasks while asleep
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sleep apnea
temporary inability to breath during sleep
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Narcolepsy
person experiences daytime sleepiness and even sleep attacks
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Hypnosis
a procedure of inducing a heightened state of suggestibility
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Ideomotor suggestions
related to specific actions that could be performed. such as adopting a specific position
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challenge suggestions
actions that are not performed. subject appears to lose ability to perform an action
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Cognitive-preceptual suggestions
subject remembering or forgetting specific information or experiencing altered perceptions such as reduced pain
120
Dissociation theory
hypnosis a unique state in which consciousness is divided into 2 parts
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Lower-level system (hypnosis)
perception and movement
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Executive system (hypnosis)
evaluates and monitors behaviours
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social-cognitive theory
emphasizing the degree to which beliefs and expectations contribute to increased suggestibility
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mind-wandering
unintentional redirection of attention from the current task to an unrelated train of thought
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default mode network
network of brain regions including medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate gyrus,
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brain death
condition in which the brain including brainstem no longer functions
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coma
complete loss of consciousness
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persistent vegetative state
state of minimal to no consciousness. eyes may open
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minimally conscious state
ability to show some behaviours suggest at least partial consciousness
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locked-in syndrome
patient is aware and awake but inability to move their body
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tolerance
repeated use of a drug results in a need for higher dose
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physical dependence
need to take a drug to ward off unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
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psychological dependence
emotional need for a drug develops without any underlying physical dependence
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psychoactive drugs
substances that affect thinking, behaviour, perception and emotion
135
stimulants
drugs that speed up the activity of the nervous system enhancing wakefulness and alertness
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hallucinogenic drugs
produce perceptual distortions
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LSD
triggers unusual sensory experiences
138
saliva divinorum
herb that grown in central and south America saliva increased short hallucinations
139
opiates
drugs such as heroin and morphine reduce pain and induce extremely intense feelings of euphoria
140
sedative drugs
depress activity of the central nervous system
