Chapter 6

Question 1

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Answer 1

Developmental disorder characterized by core behavioral symptoms, including impulsivity, hyperactivity, and/or inattention.

Question 2

psychopharmacology

Answer 2

Study of how drugs affect the nervous system and behavior.

Question 3

psychoactive drug

Answer 3

Substance that acts to alter mood, thought, or behavior; is used to manage neuropsychological illness; or is abused.

Question 4

agonist

Answer 4

Substance that enhances synapse function.

Question 5

antagonist

Answer 5

Substance that blocks synapse function.

Question 6

tolerance

Answer 6

Decrease in response to a drug with the passage of time.

Question 7

antianxiety agent

Answer 7

Drug that reduces anxiety, including minor tranquilizers such as benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotic agents.

Question 8

barbiturate

Answer 8

Drug that produces sedation and sleep.

Question 9

cross-tolerance

Answer 9

Reduction of response to a novel drug because of tolerance to a chemically related drug.

Question 10

fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

Answer 10

Range of physical and intellectual impairments observed in some children born to alcoholic parents.

Question 11

dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia

Answer 11

Idea that excess dopamine activity causes symptoms of schizophrenia.

Question 12

major depression

Answer 12

Mood disorder characterized by prolonged feelings of worthlessness and guilt, disruption of normal eating habits, sleep disturbances, a general slowing of behavior, and frequent thoughts of suicide.

Question 13

monoamine oxidase (mAO) inhibitor

Answer 13

Antidepressant drug that blocks the enzyme monoamine oxidase from degrading such neurotransmitters as DA, NE, and 5-HT.

Question 14

tricyclic antidepressant

Answer 14

First-generation antidepresasant; its chemical structure, characterized by three rings, blocks 5-HT reuptake transporter proteins.

Question 15

second-generation antidepressant

Answer 15

Drug that acts similarly to tricyclics (first-generation antidepressants) but more selectively on 5-HT reuptake transporter proteins; also called atypical antidepressant.

Question 16

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (ssri)

Answer 16

Tricyclic antidepressant drug that blocks 5-HT reuptake into the presynaptic terminal.

Question 17

bipolar disorder

Answer 17

Mood disorder characterized by periods of depression alternating with normal periods and periods of intense excitation, or mania.

Question 18

mood stabilizer

Answer 18

Drug for treating bipolar disorder; mutes the intensity of one pole of the disorder, thus making the other pole less likely to recur.

Question 19

opioid analgesic

Answer 19

Drug such as morphine, with sleep-inducing (narcotic) and pain-relieving (analgesic) properties; originally called narcotic analgesic.

Question 20

endorphin

Answer 20

Opioid peptide that acts as a neurotransmitter and may be associated with feelings of pain or pleasure; mimicked by opioid drugs such as morphine, heroin, opium, and codeine.

Question 21

competitive inhibitor

Answer 21

Drug, such as nalorphine and naloxone, that acts quickly to block opioid action by competing with the opioid for binding sites; used to treat opioid addiction.

Question 22

amphetamine

Answer 22

Drug that releases the neurotransmitter dopamine into its synapse and like cocaine, blocks dopamine reuptake.

Question 23

psychedelic drug

Answer 23

Drug that can alter sensation and perception; examples are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin.

Question 24

disinhibition theory

Answer 24

Explanation holding that alcohol has a selective depressant effect on the brain’s frontal cortex, which controls judgment, while sparing subcortical structures responsible for more instinctual behaviors, such as desire.

Question 25

behavioral myopia

Answer 25

“Nearsighted” behavior displayed under the influence of alcohol: local and immediate cues become prominent; remote cues and consequences are ignored.

Question 26

substance abuse

Answer 26

is a pattern of drug use in which people rely on a drug chronically and excessively, allowing it to occupy a central place in their life.

Question 27

addiction

Answer 27

Desire for a drug; manifested by frequent use, leading to physical dependence in addition to abuse; often associated with tolerance and unpleasant, sometimes dangerous, withdrawal symptoms on cessation. Per the DSM-5, called substance use disorder.

Question 28

withdrawal symptom

Answer 28

Physical and psychological behavior displayed by an addict when drug use ends.

Question 29

psychomotor activation

Answer 29

Increased behavioral and cognitive activity: at certain levels of consumption, the drug user feels energetic and in control.

Question 30

wanting-and-liking theory

Answer 30

Explanation holding that when a drug is associated with certain cues, the cues themselves elicit desire for the drug; also called incentive sensitization theory.

Question 31

testosterone

Answer 31

Sex hormone secreted by the testes that produces the distinguishing characteristics of the male.

Question 32

steroid hormone

Answer 32

Fat-soluble chemical messenger synthesized from cholesterol.

Question 33

peptide hormone

Answer 33

Chemical messenger synthesized by cellular DNA that acts to affect the target cell’s physiology.

Question 34

homeostatic hormone

Answer 34

One of a group of hormones that maintain internal metabolic balance and regulate physiological systems in an organism.

Question 35

gonadal (sex) hormone

Answer 35

One of a group of hormones, such as testosterone, that control reproductive functions and bestow sexual appearance and identity as male or female.

Question 36

glucocorticoid

Answer 36

One of a group of steroid hormones, such as cortisol, secreted in times of stress; important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism.

Question 37

organizational hypothesis

Answer 37

Proposal that hormonal action during development alters tissue differentiation; for example, testosterone masculinizes the brain.

Question 38

anabolic steroid

Answer 38

Class of synthetic hormones related to testosterone that have both muscle-building (anabolic) and masculinizing (androgenic) effects; also called anabolic–androgenic steroid.