General Vocab Flashcards
1
Q
Hormones
A
- Chemical messengers that are released into the bloodstream, through which they travel to reach a certain cells that have receptors for that particular hormone, called Target Cells
- Hormones have a bigger reach than neurotransmitters
- Do not influence behavior directly, rather change the probability that a certain behavior will occur in response to a certain environmental stimuli
2
Q
Neurotransmitters
A
- Chemical messengers released in between neurons to pass on energy impulses
- Held in vesicles. They’re released when an electrical pulse (called action potentials) reaches the axon terminal
- The neuron that shares the information is called the presynaptic neuron and the one that received the chemical energy is called a postsynaptic neuron
3
Q
Localization
A
- The idea that every behavior is associated with a specific brain region
4
Q
Neuroplasticity
A
- The ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience or following injury.
5
Q
Generalizable
A
- The ability to claim that the results from a small group of people can signify or represent the whole population
6
Q
Operationalized
A
- Turning abstract conceptual ideas into measurable observations
- Specifying how a specific variable should be measured or observed
7
Q
Schema
A
- Mental representations that organize our knowledge, beliefs and expectations
- Assist recall, guide our behavior, predict likely happenings and help make sense of our current experience
- Based on prior experience that helps us to understand, communicate about and predict the worlds around us
8
Q
Pheromones
A
- Chemicals that ‘carry stimulation’
- They have been shown to play a role in the behavior of mammals, mainly in mating
9
Q
Ethnocentrism
A
- A type of inter group bias where one’s ethnic group is perceived as better, more important or superior than other ethnic groups
10
Q
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
A
- Allow the impulse to cross the synapse. They produce stimulating effects on the brain
11
Q
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter
A
- Stop the impulse and prevent it from crossing the synapse. This produces calming effects on the brain
12
Q
Pro-Social Behavior
A
- Any behavior that benefits others. An action that tends to help another and is not motivated by professional motivations. A genuine desire to help someone in need
13
Q
Altruism
A
- When we act to promote someone else’s welfare, even at the cost of ourselves. It is a type of prosocial behavior
14
Q
Prejudice
A
Preexisting attitude towards an individual or a group of people. Usually negative
15
Q
Discrimination
A
The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
