Modules 14-16 Flashcards
Behavior genetics
study of the relative power and limits of genetic/environmental influences on behavior
Heredity
the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring
Environment
every nongenetic influence, from prenatal influence to the people and things around us
Chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
DNA (deoxyribose nucleic acid)
complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
Genes
biochemical units of hereditary that makes up chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins
Genome
complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
Identical (monozygotic) twins
develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two; creating two genetically identical organisms
Heritability
proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we an attribute to genes; heritability of a trait may vary on range of population and studied environments
Interaction
interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (ex: environment) depends on another factor (ex: heredity)
Molecular genetics
subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
Molecular behavior genetics
study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior
Epigenetics
“above” or “in addition to” (epi)
the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change
Evolutionary Psychology
study of evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
Natural selection
principle that inherited traits that better enables an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
Mutation
random error in gene replication that leads to a change
Social script
culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations
Protein molecules
the body’s building blocks
Cognition
mental processes
Consciousness
awareness of ourselves and our environment
Dual processing
part of awareness that goes on in our two-tracked minds
Selective attention
directs spotlight on awareness
“Stream of Consciousness”
each moment flowing into the next
States of consciousness
sleeping, waking, various altered states (daydreaming and meditating)
Hypnosis
hypnotic induction, response to hypnotist’s suggestions that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur
Hypnotic ability
ability to focus attention totally on a task, absorbed in it, entertain possibilities
Hypnotherapists
help patients harness their own healing powers
Posthypnotic suggestions
helped alleviate headaches, astha, and stress-related skin disorders
Influence theory of hypnosis
hypnotic phenomena reflect such workings of normal consciousness and power of social influence
Dissociation
split between different levels of consciousness, thoughts, and behaviours occur simultaneously with others
Stroop effect
say the color of the letters (RED written with blue marker would be “blue”)
Divided-consciousness theory
hypnosis has caused a split in awareness
Social influence theory
subject is so caught up in hypnotized role that they ignore reality (being cold, etc.)
Biological influences
distinctive brain activity, unconscious info processing
Psychological influence
focused attention, expectations, heightened suggestibility, dissociation
Social-culture influence
presence of authoritative person in legitimate control, role playing “good subject”
Circadian rhythm
24-hour cycle of day and night by an internal biological clock
Evey 90 minutes
cycle through sleep stages
When parts of the brain’s cortex stop communicating
consciousness fades
REM sleep
rapid eye movement during sleep, vivid dreams, (paradoxical sleep) muscles are relaxed
Alpha waves
awake but relaxed state
Sleep
natural loss of consciousness (coma, anesthesia, hibernation)
non-REM stage 1
slowed breathing, irregular brain waves
Hallucinations
false sensory experiences, fantastic images
Delta waves
large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep, hard to wake
NREM sleep
non-rapid eye movement sleep, all sleep stages except for REM sleep, sleep drive
NREM 2
about half the night
Motor cortex in sleep
active during REM sleep but messages blocked by brainstem
Sleep paralysis
immobility may occasionally linger after waking
Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
pair of cell clusters in hypothalamus that control circadian rhythm, light causes SCN to adjust melatonin in pineal gland
Melatonin
sleep inducing hormones
Free radicals
molecules that are toxic to neurons
Sleep Theories
protects, recuperates, restores, produces creativity, supports growth
Sleep protects
out of harms way
Recuperates
restores and repairs brain tissue
Restore
rebuilds fading memories from the day, strengthens and stabilizes neural memory traces
Creative thinking
dreams inspire literary, artistic, and scientific achievements
Supports growth
pituitary gland releases growth hormone
