Unit 1.1 Flashcards
Evolutionary perspective
How psychological traits/ behaviors evolve over time
Natural selection
Organisms that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive
Nature genes
Genetic factors that influence psychological development, traits, behaviors, and cognitive abilities
Twin studies
Examines similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins
Adoption studies
Similarities between one adopted sibling and one with biological parents
Family studies
Differences among family members
Heredity
Transmission of genetic info from bio parents to offspring
Genetic predisposition
Likelihood of developing traits due to their biological parents
Eugenics
Increase desirable traits and decrease undesirable traits
Cerebral cortex
Outer layer of brain
-cognitive functions
-thinking
-perceiving
-decision making
Lobes of brain
Four main regions of the brain
Association areas
Takes what we see hear smell and touch and puts it together to understand works around us
Frontal lobe
Front of the brain, higher level cognitive functions
-decision making
-problem solving
-planning
-personality expressions
Prefrontal cortex
Located in frontal lobe, higher level cognitive functions and executive functioning
Executive functioning
-plan
-organize
-strategize
-focus
-regulate emotions
-manage time
Motor cortex
Located in frontal lobe
-planning
-executing
-controlling voluntary movements of the body
(Sends signals to muscles)
Parietal lobe
Top of the brain
processing sensory info from the body such as touch temp and spatial awareness
Somatosensory cortex
Located in parietal lobe
Processed sensations from muscles, skin, and joints
Occipital lobes
Back of the brain
Processes visual information
Temporal lobes
Sides of the brain
Processed auditory information, language comprehension, and memory formation
