Physiological Psychology Flashcards
1
Q
Sensory Neurons
A
- aka afferent neurons
- transmit sensory info from receptors to brain / spinal cord via afferent fibers (think: Afferent Ascends up to the brain)
- part of somatic nervous system
2
Q
Motor Neurons
A
- aka efferent neurons
- transmit motor info from the brain / spinal cord to the muscles via efferent fibers (think: Efferent Exits the brain on the way to the muscles)
3
Q
Interneurons
A
- found between neurons
- majority of nerve cells are interneurons
- connected to reflexive behavior
4
Q
Reflex Arcs
A
- neural circuits that control reflexive behavior
- info from sensory neurons goes to interneurons, who pass it up to the brain and to motor neurons, motor neurons tell muscles to react before information even reaches the brain (think: stepping on a nail)
- Functionalists critique this process and say that the splitting into various parts / phases was unnecessary, they prefer to study it as a whole rather than as a process with parts
5
Q
Overview of Human Nervous System
A
- Central Nervous System (Brain / Spinal Cord)
- Peripheral Nervous System (Somatic / Autonomic Nervous Systems)
- Autonomic Nervous System (Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous Systems)
6
Q
Central Nervous System
A
- composed of Brain and Spinal Cord
7
Q
Peripheral Nervous System
A
- has two branches: Somatic Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System
8
Q
Somatic Nervous System
A
- consists of sensory and motor neurons that transmit information to and from the brain respectively
- Sensory Neurons transmit info through Afferent Fibers that Ascend to the brain / spinal cord
- Motor Neurons transmit info through Efferent Fibers that Exit the brain / spinal cord on the way to muscles
9
Q
Autonomic Nervous System
A
- manages involuntary functions associated with many internal organs and glands such as heartbeat, respiration, digestion, glandular secretion, digestion, and temperature control
- these functions are automatic and independent of conscious control (think: autonomic is automatic, system has autonomy)
- has two antagonistic subdivisions: sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous systems
10
Q
Parasympathetic Nervous System
A
- “rest and digest” part of the Autonomic Nervous System
- associated with resting / sleeping rates
- reduces heart and respiration rates, manages digestion
- ACETYLCHOLINE (neurotransmitter) is responsible for parasympathetic responses in body
11
Q
Sympathetic Nervous System
A
- “fight or flight” part of the Autonomic Nervous System
- associated with fear / rage reactions
- increases heart and respiration rates
- increases blood sugar level
- decreases digestion processes
- dilates pupils so increased amount of visual info can reach the retina
- releases ADRENALINE (neurotransmitter)
