Chapter 3 Flashcards
heritability
proportion of variation among individuals attributable to genes
evolutionary psychology
studies how human brain developed over time to explain/predict behaviour
-trait variations which leas to increased reproduction and survival will most likely to be passed on to succeeding generations
Examples of adaptation
tendency to protect offspring, the development of communication, jealousy, fears/phobias, tastes for sweets and fats
what are some critiques of evolutionary psychology?
culture is overlooked, absolves ppl of responsibility
fraternal twins
product of two sperms fertilizing two eggs; not identical genetically
identical twins
product of one fertilized egg splitting into two identical cells - identical genetically
nervous system consists of:
control nervous system (cns): brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (pns): nerves connecting the cns to the rest of the body
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers carry info across the synaptic gap. communicate with other neurons by binding to receptors
neurotransmitters and behaviour: Acetylcholine (Ach)
responsible for muscle action, learning, memory.
-undersupply: alzheimer’s
Neurotransmitters and behaviour: Dopamine (DA)
responsible for movement, learning, attention, emotion
- oversupply: schizophrenia
- undersupply: tremors and decreased mobility of parkinson’s
neurotransmitters and behaviour: Serotonin
causes mood, hunger, sleep and arousal
undersupply: depression
neurotransmitters and behaviour: Norepinephrine (NE)
responsible for alertness and arousal
-undersupply: can depress mood
neurotransmitters and behaviour: gaba
major inhibitory neurotransmitter
-undersupply: seizures, tremors, insomnia
neurotransmitters and behaviour: glutamate
responsible for alertness and arousal
-undersupply can depress mood
neurotransmitters and behaviour: endorphins
natural opiates, stimulate firing of neurons. shield body from pain. elevate feelings of pleasure.
Genes
basic units of heredity composed of DNA and located on chromosomes
Central Nervous System consists of
brain and spinal cord. where 99 percent of all nerve cells in our body are.
Peripheral nervous system
network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. 2 divisions: somatic nervous system and autonomic
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- Somatic ns consists of
sensory nerves:
-convey info from the skin and muscles to cns about conditions such as pain (afferent nerve fibres) carry commands from cns to the muscles (efferent nerve fibres)
motor nerves:
-function is to tell muscles what to do
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- autonomic ns:
- takes messages to and from body’s internal organs
- automatic, involuntary functions
- monitors things we dont usually think about: breathing, blinking, heart rate, digestion
- sympathetic NS: arouses, fight, mobilizes bodily resources
- parasympathetic NS: calms, flight, conserves
central nervous system: spinal cord
connects brain to rest of body -> extension of brain
Who located the mind in the spherical head?
plato
who believed the mind was in the heart?
aristotle
Franz Gall’s phrenology theory was:
bumps on skull revealed mental abilities and character traits
