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2024-2025 study tools > Ap psych Unit 1 > Flashcards

Ap psych Unit 1 Flashcards

1
Q

brain plasticity/neuroplasticity

A

the brains ability to change especially during childhood by reorganizing after damage or buy building new pathways based on experience
- adapting

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2
Q

young-helmhaltz trichromatic (three color) theory

A

theory that the retina contains three different color receptions (red, green, and blue) which when stimulated in combination can produce the perception of any color

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3
Q

somatosensory cortex

A

(in parietal lobes)
- helps you FEEL textures and temperature and movement sensations

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3
Q

hippocampus

A
  • in limbic system
  • helps process conscious memories like facts and events for storage
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4
Q

single detection theory

A
  • a theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background stimulation (noise)
  • assumes there is no single absolute threshold and section depends partly on EXPECTATIONS, MOTIVATION, AND ALERTNESS
    • you are not trying to focus on everything so you’re absolute threshold differs based on you personally
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5
Q

occipital lobe

A
  • at the back of the head
  • specializes in visual processing
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6
Q

kinesthesis

A
  • our movement sense: our system for sensing the position and movement of individual body parts
  • millions of position and motion sensors in muscles and tendons and joints all over the body are PROPRIOCEPTORS )give constant feedback to the brain)
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7
Q

blindsight

A

a condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

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8
Q

parallel processing

A

processing multiple aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously and enables mind to take care of routine business

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9
Q

feature detectors

A

nerve cells in brains visual cortex that responds two specific features of the stimulus (shape, angel, movement)
- receives information from individual GANGLION CELLS in the treitna then pass information to other areas where teams of SUPERCELL CLUSTERS respond to more complex patterns

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10
Q

fMRI

A
  • reveals blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans
  • shows brain structure and function
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11
Q

MRI

A

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer germinated images of soft tissue and shows brains anatomy

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12
Q

PET

A

positron emissions tomography
- detects brain activity that displays where radioactive forms of glucose goes while Brian preforms a task

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13
Q

psychophysis

A

study of relationships between the psychical characteristics of stimuli and our psychological experience of them

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14
Q

conduction hearing loss

A

hearing loss caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to cochlea
- more often biological

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15
Q

EEG

A

Electroencephalogram
- amplified recording of the wave of electrical activity sweeping across brain’s surface it measures elicits activity in neurons

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16
Q

MEG

A

magnetaencephalography
- brain imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from brain’s natural electric activity

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17
Q

priming

A

activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus PREDISPOSING ones perception, memory, or response

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18
Q

hue

A

dimensions of COLOR that is determined by wavelength of LIGHT (blue, green, etc.)

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19
Q

transduction

A

conversion of one for of energy to another; in SENSATION, transforming of PHYSICAL energy (sight, sound, etc.) into neural IMPULSES brain can interpret

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20
Q

intensity

A

the amount of energy in a light/sound wave, which influences what we perceive as brightness/loudness intensity is determined by waves amplitude (height)

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21
Q

CT

A

computed tomography
- a series of x-ray photograph taken form different angles and combined by computer in to a composite representation of a slice of the brains structure

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22
Q

lesion and lesioning

A

tissue destruction

studies either natural or expiementally damaged tissue of the brain is used to study portions of the brain

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23
Q

forea

A

central focal point in retina around which eye CONES CLUSTER
- direct connections preserve cones

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23
Q

frequency

A

the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time (per second) [hertz]

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24
Q

pitch

A

a tones experienced highness/lowness
- depends on frequency
- long waves = low frequency = low pitch
- short waves= high frequency = high pitch

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25
Q

supaxchiasmatic nucleus (SNC)

A

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that control circadian rhythms
- in repose to light the SNC adjusts melatonin production

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26
Q

sequential processing

A

processing one aspect of stimulus or problem at a time; generally used to process new information or solve difficult problems

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26
Q

sensory interaction

A

principle that one sense can influence another
- if tow of our sense disagree over something then our brain blends the senses together

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27
Q

top-down processing

A

information processing guided by higher-level mental processes )contrasting perceptions)

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28
Q

N1

A
  • hallucinations
  • hypnotic sensations: “jerking”, “falling”
  • easy to wake up and short
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28
Q

n2

A

20 minutes
- sleep spindles- bursts of rapid rhythmic brain wave activity that aid memory processing
- con be awakened early but clearly are sleeping

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29
Q

n3

A

30 minutes
- deep sleep
- delta waves
-hard to wake up

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30
Q

lens

A
  • hits here after passing through the pupil
  • transparent strict behind pupil that canes shape that helps focus images on the retina
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31
Q

wernicke’s area

A

responsible for SPEECH COMPREHENSION
- aphasia– word salad

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31
Q

reticular activating system (RAS)

A

controls sleep/wake cycles, alertness, and voluntary movements - without it you soundly be able to stay awake

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32
Q

delta waves

A

large slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

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33
Q

cerebral cortex

A

the brains outermost layer, responsible for higher level thinking and complex task
- divided into lobs– frontal, occipital, parietal, and temporal
- motor and somatosenory cortex

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34
Q

alpha waves

A

relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed awake state

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34
Q

REM sleep

A

10 minutes
- recurring sleep stage during which dreams occur
- muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active
- paralysis

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35
Q

insomnia

A

recurring problems in falling/staying asleep

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36
Q

sleep apnea

A

temporary cessation of breathing during sleep and related momentary awakenings

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37
Q

narcolepsy

A

uncontrollable REM sleep attacks

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38
Q

cerebellum

A

“little brain”
- functions include processing sensory input, coordination movement output and balance, enabling nonverbal learning, and memory

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39
Q

embodied cognition

A

influence of bodily sensations and gestures on cognitive preferences and judgments

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40
Q

bottom up processing

A

information processing that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brains integration of sensory information

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41
Q

absolute threshold

A

the minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time

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42
Q

amygdala

A

(limbic system)
- two lima bean diced neural clusters linked to emotions (fear and aggression)

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43
Q

brain stem

A

central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skill
- responsible for automatic survival functions

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43
Q

limbis system

A

neural system below cerebral hemispheres that include amygdala, hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, and pituitary glands
- controls emotions, drives, and memories

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44
Q

optic nerve

A

nerve that carries neural impulses from eye to brain )thalamus to visual cortex)

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45
Q

corpus callosum

A

large band of neural fibers connection the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

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46
Q

brocas area

A

responsible for speech production

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47
Q

thalamus

A

(sits atop the brain stem)
- brains “relay station” it sends sensory information to the right areas of the brain for porcessing (minus smell)

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47
Q

hypothalamus

A

(limbic system) (below thalamus)
- directs several maintenance activities, helps govern endocrine system
- homeostasis

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48
Q

difference threshold

A

the minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time ; we experience this as JUST A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE
- ex: knowing a friends voice in a hallway among other voices

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49
Q

pituitary gland

A

(limbic system)
- brains master gland it releases hormones that regulate growth and other essential processes

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49
Q

sensory adaptation

A

diminished sensitive as a consequence of constant stimulation

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49
Q

opponent-processing theory

A

opposing retinal process (red- green, blue-yellow, -white- black_ enable color vision
- when you keep seeing one color the cones of the opposite color are used
- being in a yellow room then leaving and seeing a slight blue haze even if there is not one

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50
Q

retina

A

-light comes here after lens
- light sensitive back inner surface of eye containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visuals information

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51
Q

wavelength

A

distance from the peak of one light wave or sound wave to the peak of the next

52
Q

parallel processing

A

processing multiple aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously (step before recognition)

52
Q

audition

A

the sene or act of hearing

53
Q

middle ear

A
  • hearing process begins with eardrum then comes here
    DEF.
  • chamber between the eardrum and cochlea containing three tiny bones that concentrate the vibrations of the eardrum on the cochlea’s oval window
53
Q

cochlea

A

a coiled, bony, and fluid filled tube in the inner ear; sound waves traveling through the cochlear fluid trigger neural impulses

54
Q

inner ear

A

the innermost part of the ear, containing the chortle, semicircular canals, and vestibular sacs

55
Q

parietal lobe`

A

(back crown of your head)
- responsible for processing sensory information like touch and body position

56
Q

temporal lobe

A

(sides of brain)
- processes auditory information and handle language comprehension

57
Q

sensorineural hearing loss

A

most common form of hearing loss, caused by damage to cochlear (hair cells) receptor cells or auditory nerve (nerve deafness)

58
Q

gustation

A

our sense of taste
- sweet: energy source
- salty: sodium essential to physiological process
- sour: maybe toxic acid
- bitter: maybe poisonous
- unami: (meaty taste) for proteins
- olegustus: fats

58
Q

cognitive neuroscience

A

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (thinking, knowing, communicating, and remembering)

59
Q

accommodation

A

process by which eyes lens change shape to focus images of near/far objects on retina

60
Q

sensation

A

process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system relieve and represents stimulus energies form out environment

61
Q

rods

A
  • retinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray
  • sensitive to movement
  • necessary for peripheral vision when cones do not respond
  • faint light and peripheral motion
62
Q

pupil

A

the adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters

62
Q

cornea

A

the eye’s clear, protective outer layering, covering the pupil and iris (bends light to help provide focus)

63
Q

cochlear implants

A

a device for converting sounds into electrical signals and stimulating the auditory nerve through electrodes threaded into the cochlea

64
Q

circadian rhythm

A
  • our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24 hour cycle
65
Q

weber’s law

A

principle that to be perceived as different to stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage
- high intensity requires a large just noticeable difference
- low intensity requires a small just noticeable difference t

66
Q

frequency theory

A

the rate of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve
- matches frequency of tone , thus enabling us to sense LOW pitch

67
Q

gate control theory

A

theory that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that blocks/allows pain signals to the brain
- the “gate” is opened by the activity of pain signals traveling up the small nerve fibers
- and is closed by activity in large server fibers or by information coming from the brain

68
Q

sensory receptors

A

sensory nerve endings that respond to stimuli

69
Q

place theory

A

links the pitch we hear with the place where the cochleas membrane is stimulated, this allows us to detect HIGH pitch

69
Q

perception

A

process by which our brain organized and interprets sensory information enabling us to recognize objects and events as meaningful

69
Q

dual processing

A

the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks (two minds)
- human brain can convert conscious into unconscious knowledge

70
Q

vestibular sense

A

our balance sense
- our sense of bad movements position that enable or sense of balance
- being able to put ourselves back into the right positions

71
Q

apahsia

A

language disorder that impairs someones ability to communicate

71
Q

olfaction

A

our sense of smell which is a chemical sense

71
Q

vision process steps

A
  1. scene
  2. retinal process: receptor rods and cones -> ganglion cells (their axons intertwine to form optic nerve)
  3. feature detection: brains detection cells respond to specific features (like edges, angles, and lines)
  4. parallel processing: Brians cell team process combine information
  5. recognition
71
Q

hearing process

A
  1. ear drum
  2. middle ear
  3. cochlea
    4.inner ear
    incoming vibrations trigger cochleas membrane cover opening (oval window) to vibrate THEN motion ripples in basilar membrane bending hair cells THEN hair cells trigger impulse in adjacent nerve cells who’s icon makes the auditory nerdy THEN the thalamus THEN auditory cortex
71
Q

iris

A

a ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil
- controls site of the pupil opening

71
Q

frontal lobe

A

(behind forehead)
- responsible for higher order thinking, decision making, and executive function
- more specifically strong in the prefrontal

72
Q

cones

A

-retinal receptors that are concentrated near the center of retina and that fiction in daylight/well-lit conditions
- detect fine details and give rise to color sensation
- detail and color

73
Q

motor cortex

A

(at the back of the frontal lobes)
- controls muscle movements

73
Q

blindspot

A

paint at which the optic nerve leaves the eyes which creates a ‘blindspot’ because no receptors cells are located there
- brain fills in the “holes”

74
Q

medulla

A

the brain stems BASE ; controls heartbeat and breathing (manages vital functions)
- without it you wouldn’t survive

75
Q

consciousness

A

or subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

75
Q

dopamine

A

neurotransmitter
- involved in reward and motivation
- and influences moves, learning, attention, and emotion

76
Q

depolarization

A

when neurons charge becomes less negative leading to firing
- when the outside of a neuron and the inside of the neuron mixx charges

76
Q

motor and sensory neurons: where to find them and definition

A

both are in PNS (peripheral nervous system)
-Motor– from brain tissue and organs throughout the body allowing movement
- sensory– get information from environment and send them to brain

77
Q

Nicotine– type, pleasure, and bad effect

A

Stimulant
“GOOD”
- arousal and relaxation, sense of well-being
BAD
- herat disorders or cancer

77
Q

methamphetamine– type, pleasure, and bad effect

A

stimulant
‘GOOD’
- euphoria and alertness and energy
BAD
- irritability, incoming, seizures, and hyper tense

78
Q

caffeine– type, pleasure, and bad effect

A

Stimulant
“GOOD”
- high alertness and awakens
BAD
- anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia in high doses

79
Q

cocaine– type, pleasure, and bad effect

A

stimulant
“GOOD”
- rush of euphoria, increased confidence and energy
BAD
- cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, depressive crash

80
Q

ecstasy aka MDMA– type, pleasure, and bad effect

A

Stimulant and MILD Hallucinogen
“GOOD”
- emotional elevation and disinhibition
BAD
- dehydration, overheating, depressed mood, poor cognitive and immune system

81
Q

heroine– type, pleasure, and bad effect

A

Depressant
“GOOD”
- rush of euphoria, relief from pain
BAD
- loss of natural endorphins

81
Q

alcohol– type, pleasure, and bad effect

A

Depresant
“GOOD”
- initial high then relaxation and disinhibition
BAD
- depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions and motor skills

82
Q

LSD– type, pleasure, and bad effect

A

Hallucinogen
“GOOD”
- visual “trip”
BAD
- rich of panic

83
Q

opioids– type

A

Depressant
- depresses neural activity temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
- if abused the brain stops producing endorphins

84
Q

marijuana– type, pleasure, and bad effect

A

Halluciongen
“GOOD”
- enhanced sensory, pain relied, distorted time, and relaxation
BAD
- impaired learning and memory, risk of phycological disorder

84
Q

evolutionary psychology

A

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of natural selection

85
Q

behavior genetics

A

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environment influence on behavior

86
Q

epigenetic

A

hour our environment influences genetics expression without changing DNA itself (something turning a gene on and off)

87
Q

norepinephrine

A

neurotransmitter
- arouses alertness and energy

88
Q

GABA

A

neurotransmitter
- calms down nervous system

89
Q

glutamate

A

neurotransmitter
- most common excitatory neurotransmitter linked to learning and memory

90
Q

reuptake

A

a neurotransmitter reabsorption by the sending neuron
- whatever the receiving neuron does not use gets sucked back by the sending neuron

91
Q

hallucinogens– def., examples, and effect

A

DEF.
- alters perception and can cause visual and auditory hallucinations
EXAMPLES
-LSD
- Marijuana
EFFECT
-affects serotonin which leads to distorted reality and or mood shifts

92
Q

depressants– def., examples, and effect

A

DEF
Slows body functions and neural activity
EXAMPLES
- alc
-barbiturates
EFFECT
- enhances GABA, reducing anxiety BUT impairing motor skills

93
Q

genome

A

the complete set of genetic instruction for an organism

94
Q

leptin

A

hormone
- regulates hunger and fat storage

95
Q

melatonin

A

hormone
- regulates sleep-wake cycles

96
Q

endocrine system and hormones

A

E.S– slower communication system that uses hormones instead of neurotransmitters

H– chemical messengers that rebel through the bloodstream and effect MOOD and BEHAVIOR

brain TO pituitary gland TO other glands TO hormones TO body and brain

97
Q

reuptake inhibitors

A

drugs that prevent the reabsorption of neurotransmitters which increases their activity

98
Q

psychoactive drugs

A

substances that effect brain acting and lead to chained in perception, mood, or consciousness

99
Q

genes

A

basic units of heredity

99
Q

refractory period

A

ofter bring the neuron needs time to reset before firing again

100
Q

all-or-nothing principle

A

a neuron either fires or it doesn’t

101
Q

multiple sclerosis (MS)

A

the myelin sheath is damaged
-slowing down or blocking signals

102
Q

substance P

A

neurotransmitter
- involved in transmitting pain signals to the brain
- related by sensory neurons in response to injury or stress

103
Q

serotonin

A

neurotransmitter
- regulates mood and sleep and hunger and arousal

104
Q

stimulants– def., examples, and effect

A

DEF
- speeds up body functions and enhances energy
EXMAPLES
- caffeine, cocaine, ecstasy, meth
EFFECT
- boosts norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin levels which leads to heightened alertness and energy

105
Q

agonists

A

drugs that mimic neurotransmitters or enhance their action

105
Q

myasthenia gravis

A

an autoimmune disorder where ACH receipts are attacked which leads to muscle weakness

106
Q

eugenics

A

controversial idea of imposing human population through selective breeding

106
Q

substance use disorder

A

when drug use becomes uncontrollable and interfere with daily life

107
Q

neurotransmitter effects

A

psychoactive drugs change how neurotransmitters operate by either enhancing or inhibiting their function

108
Q

heredity

A

the genetic transfer of characteristic from parent to offspring

108
Q

oxytocin

A

hormone
- influences bonding and social behaviors

108
Q

interneurons— where they are and definition

A

in the CNS
- process information and control actions form within

109
Q

endorphins

A

neurotransmitter
- natural painkillers

110
Q

mutation

A

random error in gene replication that leads to a change

111
Q

inhibitory neurotransmitters– three examples

A

neurotransmitters that prevent neurons from firing
- serotonin, GABA, and endorphins

112
Q

excitatory neurotransmitter- three examples

A

neurotransmitters that encourage neurons to fire
- dopamine, norepinephrine, glutatame

112
Q

adrenaline

A

hormone
- increases heat rate and energy

113
Q

synapse

A

gap between neurons where communication occurs, transfer signals using neurotransmitters between neurons
- allows Brian to process complex information

113
Q

action potential and threshold

A

A.P– a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon
- it is triggered when the neuron reaches a threshold (the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse)

114
Q

antagonists

A

drugs that block neurotransmitters activity

114
Q

glial cells– def, function, and action

A

the brains “support staff”
- function– protect, nourish, and clean uo after neurons
-action– maintains environment for neurons to function properly

115
Q

acetylcholine (Ach)

A

enables muscle action, learning, and memory
- needed for EVERY muscle to move

116
Q

neurons

A

specialized cells that transmit electrical signals between brain body and back

117
Q

gherlin

A

hormone
-stimulates hunger

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