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psychology units 3 & 4 > Unit 3 AOS 1 > Flashcards

Unit 3 AOS 1 Flashcards

Nervous System Functioning and Stress as a Psychobiological Process

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1
Q

Central Nervous System

A

A major division of the nervous system comprised of the brain and spinal cord. It receives sensory information from the PNS and sends motor information to the PNS.

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2
Q

Brain

A

A complex organ contained within the skull that coordinates mental processes and behaviour, and regulates bodily activity

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3
Q

Spinal Cord

A

A cable of nerve fibres that extends from the brain, connecting it to the PNS.

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4
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

A major division of the nervous system comprising every neuron in the body outside the CNS

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5
Q

Role of the PNS

A

Sends sensory information to the CNS, receives motor information from the CNS

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6
Q

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

A

A division of the PNS that transmits neural messages related to voluntary motor movement

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7
Q

The somatic nervous system comprises…

A
  • sensory neural pathways, made up of sensory neurons
  • motor neural pathways, made up of motor neurons
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8
Q

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A

A division of the PNS that regulates visceral muscles, organs and glands and transmitted neural messages to the CNS about their activity

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9
Q

Visceral muscles, organs and glands

A

Muscles, organs and glands not connected to the skeleton that are predominantly self-regulating and do not require conscious control
e.g. lungs, heart, stomach

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10
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

A division of the ANS that activates visceral muscles, organs and glands, preparing the body to respond to a threat or stressor

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11
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

A division of the ANS that maintains the optimal and balanced functioning of visceral muscles, organs and glands

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12
Q

Neuron

A

A nerve cell that receives and transmites neural information

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13
Q

Motor neurons (efferent neurons)

A

Neurons that transmit neural messages about motor movement from the CNS to the PNS

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14
Q

Sensory neurons (afferent neurons)

A

Neurons that transmit neural messages about bodily sensation from the PNS to the CNS

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15
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons that transfer neural message between sensory neurons and motor neurons

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16
Q

Dendrites

A

Detect and receive information from other neurons

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17
Q

Axon

A

A single, tubelike extension from the soma (cell body) to the axon terminals that transmits neural information to other neurons

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18
Q

Conscious response

A

A deliberate and voluntary action that is initiated by the brain and performed intentionally by the body

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19
Q

Unconscious response

A

An automatic and involuntary action that is performed without conscious awareness

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20
Q

Spinal reflex

A

An unconscious response to sensory stimuli that is initiated by interneurons in the spinal cord independently of the brain

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21
Q

Neural synapse

A

The region that includes the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron, the synaptic gap, and the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron

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22
Q

Presynaptic neuron

A

The neuron that releases neurochemicals into the neural synapse (from axon terminals)

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23
Q

Synaptic gap

A

The space between the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron

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24
Q

Postsynaptic neuron

A

The neuron that receives neurochemicals from the neural synapse (from receptor sites on dendrites)

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25
Q

Neurochemical

A

A chemical substance that transmits neural information within the nervous system (released by the presynaptic neuron)

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26
Q

Synaptic transmission

A

The chemical conveyance of neural information between two neurons across a neural synapse.

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27
Q

Two types of neurochemicals

A
  • neurotransmitters
  • neuromodulators
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28
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

A chemical molecule that has an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons

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29
Q

Action potential

A

An electrical impulse that travels down the axon of a neuron

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30
Q

Excitatory effect

A

When the neurotransmitter increases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential

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31
Q

Glutamate

A

The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous

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32
Q

Effect of glutamate

A

Increases the likelihood of a postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential

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33
Q

Glutamate’s role in functioning

A

Important role in learning and memory. It enables synaptic connections to form and strengthen between neurons that are repeatedly coactivated during learning

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34
Q

Inhibitory effect

A

When the neurotransmitter decreases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential.

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35
Q

GABA

A

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system

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36
Q

Effect of GABA

A

Decreases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential.

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37
Q

GABA’s role in functioning

A

Important role in regulating postsynaptic activation in neural pathways, preventing overexcitation of neurons. GABA reduces anxiety by inhibiting excitatory neural signals that contribute to anxiety

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38
Q

Neuromodulator

A

A chemical molecule that has an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons

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39
Q

Neuromodulation

A

The process by which the synaptic transmission between 2 neurons is either enhanced or decreased through the action of a third substance, called a neuromodulator

40
Q

Dopamine

A

A neuromodulator responsible for voluntary motor movement, the experience of pleasure, and reward-based learning

41
Q

Effect of dopamine

A

It can have excitatory and inhibitory effects on the postsynaptic neuron

42
Q

Serotonin

A

A neuromodulator primarily responsible for the regulation of mood and sleep.

43
Q

Effect of serotonin

A

Has inhibitory effects on postsynaptic neuron

44
Q

Serotonin’s role in functioning

A

Regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Appropriate levels of serotonin in the brain enable the experience of positive and stable moods.

45
Q

Synaptic plasticity

A

The ability of synaptic connections to change over time in response to activity or experience

46
Q

Sprouting

A

The ability of dendrites or axons to develop new branches.
- This enables formation of new synaptic connections

47
Q

Rerouting

A

Ability of a neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternative synaptic connection with an undamaged neuron

48
Q

Pruning

A

Elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated
- necessary to accommodate more essential synaptic connections, thus enhancing efficiency of brain functioning

49
Q

Learning

A

The process of acquiring knowledge, skills or behaviours through experience

50
Q

Memory

A

The process of encoding, storing and retrieving information that has been previously encountered

51
Q

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

A

The long-lasting and experience-dependent strengthening of synaptic connections that are regularly coactiviated.

52
Q

How is LTP an experience-dependent form of synaptic plasticity?

A

Because neural synapses are strengthened in response to frequent and repeated use during learning and memory

53
Q

Structural changes that occur due to LTP

A
  • increased number of receptor sites on dendrites of post-synaptic neuron
  • increased number of synaptic connections between neurons (sprouting)
  • bushier dendrites on postsynaptic neuron (sprouting)
54
Q

Long-term depression (LTD)

A

The long-lasting and experience-dependent weakening of synaptic connections between neurons that are not regularly coactivated

55
Q

How is LTD an experience-dependent form of synaptic plasticity?

A

Because neural synapses are weakened in response to infrequent use

56
Q

Structural changes that occur due to LTD

A
  • decreased number of receptor sites on dendrites of postsynaptic neurons
  • decreased number of dendrites on postsynaptic neurons (pruning)
57
Q

How is the weakening of connections due to LTD a good thing?

A

Enables the brain to focus on more necessary neural pathways that represent more useful information

58
Q

Stress

A

A psychological and physiological experience that occurs when an individual encounters something of significance that demands their attention and efforts to cope

59
Q

Stressor

A

A stimulus (internal or external) that prompts the stress response

60
Q

Why is stress considered a psychobiological process?

A

There are psychological components, which include an individual’s personal assessments of what constitutes a stressful situation, and biological components, which relate to the body and how it responds to stress

61
Q

Internal stressor

A

A stimulus from within a person’s body that prompts the stress response

62
Q

Examples of internal stressors

A

Rumination (repeatedly thinking about the negative components of an event), low self-esteem, attitude

63
Q

External stressor

A

A stimulus from outside of a person’s body that prompts the stress response

64
Q

Eustress

A

A form of stress characterised by a positive psychological state

65
Q

Distress

A

A form of stress characterised by a negative psychological state

66
Q

Acute Stress

A

A form of stress characterised by intense psychological and physiological symptoms that are brief in duration

67
Q

Fight-or-flight-or-freeze response

A

An involuntary and automatic response to a threat that takes the form of either escaping it, confronting it, or freezing in the face of it

68
Q

Chronic stress

A

A form of stress that endures for several months or longer

69
Q

Cortisol

A

A hormone that is released in times of stress to aid the body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal

70
Q

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A

A biological model involving 3 stages of physiological reactions that a person experiences in response to a persistent stressor

71
Q

Alarm reaction

A

The first stage of GAS involving the initial decrease and subsequent increase in bodily arousal in response to an immediate stressor

72
Q

Shock

A

The first substage of the alarm reaction stage involving decreased bodily arousal for a brief period of time following the initial exposure to a stressor

73
Q

Counter shock

A

The second substage of the alarm reaction stage in which sympathetic nervous system responses occur that energise the body to respond to a stressor

74
Q

Resistance

A

The second stage of GAS involving maintaining high levels of bodily arousal in response to a persistent stressor

75
Q

Exhaustion

A

The third stage of GAS involving the depletion of energy levels and bodily resources, resulting in an inability to cope with the stressor

76
Q

What does the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping propose?

A

That individuals experience stress when their available coping resources outweigh the demands of the stressor

77
Q

Primary Appraisal

A

The initial process of evaluating the nature of an incoming stressor, specifically the kind of stress it might cause

78
Q

Benign-positive

A

An initial appraisal of a stimulus as neutral, or good that does not cause stress for the individual

79
Q

Irrelevant

A

An initial appraisal of a stimulus as a non-issue for the individual − the stimulus does not cause stress

80
Q

Stressful

A

An initial appraisal of a stimulus as a source of worry or emotional significance for the individual

81
Q

Harm/loss

A

A further appraisal of a stressor as having caused some damage to the individual

82
Q

Threat

A

A further appraisal of a stressor as potentially causing damage to the individual in the future

83
Q

Challenge

A

A further appraisal of a stress as potentially providing a positive opportunity for growth or change for the individual

84
Q

Secondary appraisal

A

The process of evaluating the resources required and available in order to cope with a stressor

85
Q

The gut-brain axis

A

The bidirectional connection between the gut and the brain through the enteric and central nervous systems

86
Q

Gut microbiota

A

All of the microorganisms that live in the gut

87
Q

Gut microbiota symbiosis

A

When the gut microbiota is balanced

88
Q

Gut microbiota dysbiosis

A

When the gut microbiota is imbalanced

89
Q

Vagus nerve

A

A column of nerve fibres that connects the brain and the gut

90
Q

Role of the vagus nerve

A

Bidirectionally conveys information between the gut and the brain. Controls vital bodily functions including mood, immune response and digestion

91
Q

Coping

A

The process of dealing with stress

92
Q

Context-specific effectiveness

A

When the coping strategy or mechanism used is appropriate for the unique demands of the stressor

93
Q

Coping flexibility

A

An individual’s ability to adjust or change their coping strategies depending on the unique and changing demands of a stressor

94
Q

Coping strategies

A

The ways that people deal with stress

95
Q

Approach strategies

A

Coping strategies that directly confront the source of stress

96
Q

Avoidance strategies

A

Coping strategies that evade the stressor, seeking to indirectly reduce stress.

psychology units 3 & 4 (5 decks)

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