Key Words

Question 1

ABC model of operant conditioning

Answer 1

a way of explaining how operant conditioning works showing how the consequences of a behavior influences the replication of behavior

Question 2

Ablate

Answer 2

to remove or destroy the function of an organ or body tissue

Question 3

Abstain

Answer 3

stop yourself from using a substence

Question 4

Action Potential

Answer 4

the electrical trigger that passes along the axon and stimulates the neuron to activate and release neurotransmitters as a result of synaptic transmission

Question 5

ADHD

Answer 5

a syndrome of behaviours including inability to sustain attention, impulsivity and restlessness

Question 6

Adoption study

Answer 6

a research method that examines the degree of similarity or difference of family members/twins that have been separated and adopted into different families

Question 7

Advanced dementia

Answer 7

the later stages of dementia where symptoms are more profound

Question 8

Aetiological validity

Answer 8

the extent to which a disorder has the same cause or causes. Aetiological validity exists when the diagnosis reflects known causes such as a family history in a disorder that is known to have a genetic cause

Question 9

Agency

Answer 9

when one acts as an agent for another

Question 10

Agonist

Answer 10

a substance that acts like another substance and therefore stimulated neural action

Question 11

Agreeableness

Answer 11

a measure of temper such as whether a person is willing to cooperate or compete

Question 12

Alternate hypothesis

Answer 12

a statement that lays out what a researcher predicts will be found. This is also known as an experimental hypothesis when the research methodology adopted is experimental.

Question 13

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 13

a neurological degenerative disease that impairs cognitive functioning causing memory loss and impairments in thinking and language

Question 14

AMPA receptors

Answer 14

postsynaptic receptors responsible for glutamate transmisson (glutamate is the most prevalent neurotransmitter in the nervous system and the main excitary one).

Question 15

Amphetamine

Answer 15

a drug that stimulates the central nercous system. It’’s effects include increased activity and energy, as well as appetite suppression and making it diifficult to sleep.

Question 16

Amygdala

Answer 16

centre in the brain responsible for emotions, emotional behaviour and motivation

Question 17

Anabolic steroids

Answer 17

a synthetic form of testosterone. They promote the growth of body muscle and strength in users.

Question 18

Androcentric

Answer 18

focused on men

Question 19

Angular gyrus

Answer 19

part of the parietal lobe associated with memory, language and processing and attention

Question 20

Anoxic episode

Answer 20

lack of oxygen to the brain causing injury

Question 21

Antagonist

Answer 21

drugs that produce antagonistic effects bing to the receptor sites on neurones to prevent the substence from being absorbed in large quantities, therefore reducing the effect of the neurotransmitter.

Question 22

Anterior cingulate cortex

Answer 22

surrounds the frontal part of the corpus callosum and connects to the prefrontal cortical area. It has seceral functions including those governing autonomic behaviours but has several functions including those governing autonomic behaviours but has been impicated in such cognitive functions as reward anticipation, impulse control and empathy

Question 23

Anterograde

Answer 23

the loss of ability to make new memories, while memories before the injury remain relatively intact

Question 24

Anterolateral

Answer 24

to the front and side

Question 25

Anti-democratic

Answer 25

views that oppose the fiar election of government and majority rule

Question 26

Antidopaminergic

Answer 26

blocking the activity of dopamine

Question 27

Anti-semitism

Answer 27

hostility against Jews

Question 28

Antiserotonergic

Answer 28

blocking the activity of seretonin

Question 29

Anti-social behaviour

Answer 29

acting in a way that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people not of the same household as the person acting in this way.

Question 30

Aphasia

Answer 30

a disturbance in the comprehension or production of languafe caused by brain dysfunction or damage, such as a stroke

Question 31

Arousal theory

Answer 31

individuals are motivated to act in a way to maintain a certain level of physiological arousal. When arousal levels drop to below our personal optimal level, we engage in stimulating behaviour to increase arousal.