Biological Approach - Terminology Flashcards
Experiment
A study conducted that investigates the direct effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable.
Field experiment
A research method that takes place in a natural, real-world setting
Quasi experiment
It aims to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between an IV and DV. However, the subjects are assigned based on non-random criteria.
Natural Experiment
Same as quasi - there is no deliberate manipulation of a variable; it is simply measuring the effect of something already happening.
Observation
Careful, close examination of an object, process, or other phenomenon for the purpose of collecting data about it or drawing conclusions.
Case study
An in-depth investigation of a sinlge person (or small group of people), often long periods of time.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Consists of the brain and the spinal cord. It is the body’s processing center.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
It is comprised of all the neurons in the body except the neurons of the brain and spina cord. It assists the CNS. It is involved in the relay of sensory and motor information to and from the CNS.
Localization of function
The theory that specific behaviours may have their origin in specific parts of the brain.
Hippocampus
Part of the limbic system, appears to play a key role in the consolidation of memory from short-term to long-term, and a key role in spatial navigation. - It has several acetylcholine receptor sites. + Hippocampal cell loss plays a role in dementia.
Amygdala
Part of the limbic system, believed to play a key role in emotion and memory. And there is evidence that it plays a role in aggression, sexual orientation, and alcoholism.
Neurotransmitter
A chemical messenger that carries signals between neurons. They are released from the terminal buttons at the end of an axon after the action potential has sent an electric charge down the neuron. The neurotransmitter then crosses the synaptic gap to reach the receptor site on another neuron.
Serotonin
An inhibitory neurotransmitter that wokrs to regulate mood, apetite, and sleep. Low levels: aggression and depression, high levels: hallucinations
Acetylcholine
The most common excitatory neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine receptor sites are found in the hippocampus. Appears to play a key role in memory consolidation from STM to LTM.
GABA
An inhibitory neurotransmitter. Its main purpose is to regulate anxiety, vision and motor control. Low levels: poor impulse control.
Neurotransmission
A process of neurons sending and recieving neurotransmitters to one another.
Dendrite
The branch-like thing that connects with other neurons’ axons.
Axon
The extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons.
Synapse
A small gap between two neurons, where impulses are relayed by a neurotransmitter from the axon of a presynaptic neuron to the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron.
Receptor
Receives neurotransmitters on the postsynaptic cell.
Inhibitory neurotransmitter
A neurotransmitter decreases the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential. This depends on the receptor site. Many neurotransmitters are inhibtory when they act on some receptor sites, and excitatory on others. For example, serotnin is inhibitory when involved in emotion and mood, but excitatory when involved in sleep and wakefulness. Another example is GABA.
Excitatory neurotransmitter
A neurotransmitter that increases the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential. Same as inhibtory, their funtion depends on the receptor. For example, acetylcholine.
Agonist
Achemical or drug that binds to receptors in the brain and causes a reaction. Agonists can occur naturally in the body as neurotransmitters (endogenous agonists) or come from exterior sources (exogenous agonists). They increase the effect of the neurotransmitter. Heroin, opium, and morphine are all agonists.
Antagonist
A chemical or drug that binds to receptors in the brain and prevents a neurotransmitter from having an effect on behaviour. For example, scopolamine is an antagonist for acetylcholine.
Neuroplasticity
The brain’s ability to alter its own structure following changes within the body or in the external environment.
Neural pruning
Usually referred to as synaptic pruning, it refers to the process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated in order to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.
Long term potentiation (LTP)
A persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.
Neural network
Usually called a neural circuit, a group of neurons interconnected by synapses to carry out a specific function when activated.
Hormone
A chemical released by a gland directly into the bloodstream which has an effect on behaviour.
Endocrine system
The name given to the various glands throughout the body that regulate and release hormones.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter that helps control the brains reward and pleasure centers and helps regulate emotional responses. Low levels: Parkinsons + low levels of receptor sites: more prone to addiction. Can be excitatory or inhibitory.
Oxytocin
A hormone produced by the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland. It plays a role in social recognition, pair bonding, and maternal attachment- Referred to as the ”love hormone”. Evidence that it promotes trust and empathy in in-groups.
Adrenaline
A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. It stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, and prepares the body for fight or flight.
Testosterone
The male sex hormone. It is secreted by the testes in males and ovaries in females.
Placebo
A substance that has no therapeutic effect, and is used as a control in testing new drugs.
Pheromone
A chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal affecting the behaviour or physiology of others of its own species.
Vomeronasal organ
It connects to a special region in the brain called the accessory olfactory bulb in mammals. This is where pheremones are thought to be processed.
Areolar glands
Believed to produce a nipple secretion by all lactating mothers, which stimulates sucking by any baby not just their own.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging; uses a magnetic field and radio waves in order to create a detailed 3d or 2D images on the inside of the body. It realigns hydrogen atoms inside the body temporarily using the magnetic field. Shows the structure of the brain.
FMRI
Functional magnetic resonance imaging; a brain scanning technique that measures blood flow in the brain when a person performs a task. Records on going brain activity.
Reductionist approach
Analyzing a complex behavious by studying the simplest, most basic mechanisms that are believed to be responsible for the behaviour.
Genetic inheritance
The process by which genetic information is passed on from parent to child.
Genes effect on behaviour
The manner in which geentic variance affects psychologyical phenotypes (traits), including cognitive abilities, personality, mental illness, and social attitudes.
Allele
Alternative forms of a gene
MAOA
An enzyme that breaks down important neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin.
5-HTT trasnporter gene
Responsible for reuptake of serotonin
Family studies
Studies in which research assess hereditary influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble each other on a specific trait.
Twin studies
Measure the concordance rates a particular trait across the two different types of twins - ideal for genetic similarly for one behaviour among twins, siblings, parent and adopted children and establish a genetic argument for the origin of human research using correlational research.
Mono-zygotic twins
Identical twins formed when one fertilized egg splits and forms two embryos.
Di-zygotic twins
Occurs when two effs each get fertilized by two different sperm, resulting in two zygotes in the uterus at the same time.
Shared environment
Refers to common experiences between siblings such as living conditions.
Non-shared environment
Aspects of an environment that individuals living together do not share and that therefore cause them to become dissimilar to each other.
IQ (intelligence quotinent)
A standard measure of an individual’s intelligence level based on psychological tests.
Socio-economic status
An ecnomic and social combined total measure of a person’s economic and social position in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation.
Evolutionary theory
The habits and cognitive traits that helped your ancestors survive have likely been passed down through the generations until making their way to you.
Natural selection
The idea that members of a species that survive competition and breed will have characteristics better suited to the environment and are more likely to pass on these traits.
Biological preparedness
The idea that people and animals are inherintly inclined to form associations between certain stimuli and responses. This concept plays an important role in learning.
