Chapter 3 Flashcards
heritability
proportion of variation among individuals attributable to genes
evolutionary psychology
studies how human brain developed over time to explain/predict behaviour
-trait variations which leas to increased reproduction and survival will most likely to be passed on to succeeding generations
Examples of adaptation
tendency to protect offspring, the development of communication, jealousy, fears/phobias, tastes for sweets and fats
what are some critiques of evolutionary psychology?
culture is overlooked, absolves ppl of responsibility
fraternal twins
product of two sperms fertilizing two eggs; not identical genetically
identical twins
product of one fertilized egg splitting into two identical cells - identical genetically
nervous system consists of:
control nervous system (cns): brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (pns): nerves connecting the cns to the rest of the body
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers carry info across the synaptic gap. communicate with other neurons by binding to receptors
neurotransmitters and behaviour: Acetylcholine (Ach)
responsible for muscle action, learning, memory.
-undersupply: alzheimer’s
Neurotransmitters and behaviour: Dopamine (DA)
responsible for movement, learning, attention, emotion
- oversupply: schizophrenia
- undersupply: tremors and decreased mobility of parkinson’s
neurotransmitters and behaviour: Serotonin
causes mood, hunger, sleep and arousal
undersupply: depression
neurotransmitters and behaviour: Norepinephrine (NE)
responsible for alertness and arousal
-undersupply: can depress mood
neurotransmitters and behaviour: gaba
major inhibitory neurotransmitter
-undersupply: seizures, tremors, insomnia
neurotransmitters and behaviour: glutamate
responsible for alertness and arousal
-undersupply can depress mood
neurotransmitters and behaviour: endorphins
natural opiates, stimulate firing of neurons. shield body from pain. elevate feelings of pleasure.
Genes
basic units of heredity composed of DNA and located on chromosomes
Central Nervous System consists of
brain and spinal cord. where 99 percent of all nerve cells in our body are.
Peripheral nervous system
network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. 2 divisions: somatic nervous system and autonomic
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- Somatic ns consists of
sensory nerves:
-convey info from the skin and muscles to cns about conditions such as pain (afferent nerve fibres) carry commands from cns to the muscles (efferent nerve fibres)
motor nerves:
-function is to tell muscles what to do
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- autonomic ns:
- takes messages to and from body’s internal organs
- automatic, involuntary functions
- monitors things we dont usually think about: breathing, blinking, heart rate, digestion
- sympathetic NS: arouses, fight, mobilizes bodily resources
- parasympathetic NS: calms, flight, conserves
central nervous system: spinal cord
connects brain to rest of body -> extension of brain
Who located the mind in the spherical head?
plato
who believed the mind was in the heart?
aristotle
Franz Gall’s phrenology theory was:
bumps on skull revealed mental abilities and character traits
what are the brains three divisions?
hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain
where is the medulla located/what are its functions?
- located in hindbrain
- controls basic bodily functions (breathing/circulation)
where is the reticular formation located/what are its functions?
- hind brain
- controls persons state of arousal
Where is the pons located/what are its functions?
- hindbrain
- links medulla and cerebellum
where is the cerebellum/what are its functions?
- influences balance, coordination and movement
- hindbrain
what does the midbrain do?
- relieves signal from other parts of brain
- relays info to more complex part of the brain
- relates to where things are in space (degeneration of midbrain relation with parkinsons disease)
where is the thalamus located/whats its function?
- forebrain
- sends info to other parts of the brain
where is the hypothalamus located/whats its function?
- forebrain
- basic biological needs: fighting, fleeing, feeding and mating
where is the limbic system located/what are its functions?
- forebrain
- interconnected group of structures influences emotion and memory
- contains amygdala (emotional control) and hippocampus (memory)
what is the purpose of basil ganglia?
movement and posture
what is the purpose of corpus callosum?
cross hemisphere connections
where is the cerebrum located/whats it function?
- forebrain
- implemented in complex mental activities
- two specialized halves connected by corpus collosum
diff between left and right hemispheres?
left: language, speech, reading, writing
right: nonverbal processing, spatial
the cerebrum is subdivided into 4 lobes, which are?
- occipital lobe (vision)
- parietal lobe (touch)
- temporal lobe (hearing)
- frontal lobe (movement of the body)
what are hormones?
- chemicals produced by endocrine glands
- send chemical signals that affect the body and behaviour
what is the pituitary gland?
- body’s master gland
- controls release of hormones
- growth hormones, sex hormones -> what sends all the signals for the physical changes of puberty to behin
soma
cell body
dendrites
branching signals that recieve signals from other cells
axon
fibre that carries signals away from soma to other cells
myelin sheath
insulating material encasing some axons
terminal buttons
small knobs at ends of axons that release neurotransmitters at synapses
neurons stable negative charge when inactive
resting potential
voltage spike that travels along axon
action potential
brief time after action potential before another action potential can begin
absolute refractory period
a neuron either fires or doesnt fire
all-or-none law
