key terms - mocks Flashcards
(42 cards)
Neuroplasticity
The brain’s ability to reorganise and adapt by forming new neural connections throughout life.
Sharpening
The tendency to add, emphasise or exaggerate certain details of a memory, leading to memory distortions.
Episodic Memory
A type of long-term memory that stores personal experiences or events, including the time, place, and emotional context of those experiences.
Heritability
A statistical measure indicating the extent to which genetic factors contribute to the variation in a particular trait or characteristic within a population.
Serotonin Hypothesis
A theory that suggests that low levels of serotonergic transmission (neurotransmission involving serotonin) are the basis of mood disorders like depression.
Concordance Rates
The degree of similarity or agreement in a particular trait or condition among individuals, especially in twins or family members.
Genes
Segments of DNA that contain hereditary information and play a significant role in determining an individual’s traits and behaviours.
Reconstructive Memory
A theory of memory that proposes that when we recall a memory we piece it back together from elements that have been stored separately. This reconstruction can give rise to distortions.
Emotion
A physiological and psychological response to a stimulus, involving physiological changes, thoughts, feelings, and behavioural reactions.
Schema
A mental framework or organised structure of information that helps us interpret and understand the world, guiding our perception and memory.
Excitatory neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters that increase the likelihood of the next neuron firing.
Antagonist
A substance, typically a drug, that blocks or inhibits the activity of a neurotransmitter or receptor site, leading to a decrease in neural signalling and its associated effects.
Localisation
The concept that specific functions or processes in the brain are associated with distinct brain regions.
Behaviour
The actions, reactions, and responses of an individual or organism to internal and external stimuli, reflecting their mental and emotional processes.
Agonist
A substance, often a drug, that activates or enhances the activity of a neurotransmitter or receptor site, leading to an increase in neural signalling and its associated effects.
Depression
A mood disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, often accompanied by physical and cognitive symptoms.
Levelling
The simplification or reduction of complex details in a memory, resulting in the loss of nuance and precision over time.
Cognitive Triad
A concept proposed by Beck, representing a person’s negative beliefs about themselves, their world, and their future, often associated with depressive thinking patterns.
Neural Networks
Interconnected groups of neurons in the brain that work together to process information, support various cognitive functions, and control behaviours. These develop as specific neural pathways are repeatedly activated.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters that reduce the likelihood of the next neuron firing.
Flashbulb Memory
A highly vivid and emotionally charged memory of a significant and surprising event, often believed to be exceptionally accurate. It is argued that flashbulb memorie serve and evolutionary purpose and thus have a biological basis.
Twin Studies
Studies that compare the similarities and differences between identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins to understand the contributions of genetics and environment to traits and behaviours.
Allele
A variant form of a gene, found at a specific location (locus) on a chromosome, which can lead to variations in traits or characteristics within a population.
Cognitive Reactivity
Beck’s proposal that there is a biological explanation for why people respond differently to the same sorts of negative experiences. He suggested that cognitivie reactivity is genetically based.
