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Psychology 3/4 > Unit 3 // AOS1 Textbook Definitions > Flashcards

Unit 3 // AOS1 Textbook Definitions Flashcards

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1
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

The brain and spinal cord

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2
Q

Neural pathway

A

A route based on interconnected neurons that form a communication network within the brain and between the brain and other parts of the nervous system and body

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3
Q

Spinal cord

A

A long, thin bundle of nerve tissues connecting the brain and rest of the body via the peripheral nervous system; initiates simple reflex responses independently of the brain; aka spinal reflex

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4
Q

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

Entire network of nerves located outside the central nervous system; carries information to and from the central nervous system (via its somatic and autonomic sub-divisions)

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5
Q

Somatic nervous system (SNS)

A

A sub-division of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body’s internal organs and glands, providing feedback to the brain about their activities

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6
Q

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

A sub-division of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body’s internal organs and glands, providing feedback to the brain about their activities

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7
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

A sub-division of the autonomic nervous system; activates internal muscles, organs and glands to prepare for vigorous activity or to deal with a stressor, fear stimulus, threat or emergency

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8
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

A sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that calms or restores the body to its normal state of functioning after the need for sympathetic nervous system activation has passed

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9
Q

Enteric nervous system (ENS)

A

A sub-division of the autonomic nervous system embedded within the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and dedicated to its functioning

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10
Q

Conscious response

A

A reaction to a sensory stimulus that involves awareness; usually voluntary, goal-directed and with some degree of control over it

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11
Q

Unconscious response

A

A reaction to a sensory stimulus that does not involve awareness; involuntary, unintentional, autonomic and we cannot ordinarily control its occurrence

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12
Q

Spinal reflex

A

An unconscious, involuntary response to certain stimuli, initiated within the spinal cord and controlled solely by neural circuits; also called reflex arc

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13
Q

Synaptic gap

A

The tiny space between the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron and the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron; also called synaptic cleft

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14
Q

Neural synapse

A

The site where communication typically occurs between adjacent neurons; also called neural junction or synapse

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15
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

A chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries a message to other neurons or cells in muscles, glands, or other tissue

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16
Q

Excitatory effect

A

When a neurotransmitter stimulates or activates a postsynaptic neuron to perform its functions

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17
Q

Inhibitory effect

A

When a neurotransmitter blocks or prevents a postsynaptic neuron from firing and therefore performing its functions

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18
Q

Glutamate (Glu)

A

The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, thereby enhancing information transmission by making postsynaptic neurons more likely to fire

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19
Q

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)

A

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, making postsynaptic neurons less likely to fire

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20
Q

Neuromodulators

A

A neurotransmitter that can influence the effects of other neurotransmitters

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21
Q

Dopamine

A

A neurotransmitter or neuromodulator with multiple functions depending on where it acts; functions include roles in coordinating movement, learning and behaviours that are rewarding

22
Q

Serotonin

A

A neurotransmitter or neuromodulator with multiple functions depending on where it acts; functions include emotional processing, mood, and sleep onset

23
Q

Synaptic plasticity

A

The ability of a synapse to change in response to experience

24
Q

Sprouting

A

The creation of new extensions on a neuron to allow it to make new connections with other neurons

25
Q

Rerouting

A

When new connections are made between neurons to create alternate neural pathways

25
Q

Pruning

A

The elimination of weak, ineffective or unused synapses (and therefore connections to other neurons); also called synaptic pruning

26
Q

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

A

The long-lasting enhancement of synaptic transmission due to repeated strong stimulation

27
Q

Long-term depression (LTD)

A

The long-lasting decrease in the strength of synaptic connections and transmission and neuronal response

28
Q

Stress

A

A psychobiological response produced by internal or external stressors

29
Q

Stressor

A

A stimulus that produces stress

30
Q

Internal stressor

A

A stressor that originates within the individual

31
Q

External stressor

A

A stressor which originates outside the individual from situations and events in the environment

32
Q

Acute stress

A

Stress that lasts for a relatively short time

33
Q

Chronic stress

A

Stress that continues for a prolonged period of time

34
Q

Fight-or-flight-or-freeze response

A

An involuntary, bodily response to a sudden and immediate threat (or stressor) in readiness for fight (confront), flight (escape) or freeze (be silent and unseen)

35
Q

Gut-brain axis (GBA)

A

A bidirectional, multi-faced communication link between the central and enteric nervous systems

36
Q

General adaption syndrome (GAS)

A

A three-stage physiological response to stress involving alarm reaction (shock/countershock), resistance and exhaustion

37
Q

Alarm reaction

A

The first stage of the General Adaption Syndrome in which the body goes into a temporary state of shock, then rebounds (counter shock) following initial awareness of a stressor

38
Q

Shock

A

In the General Adaption Syndrome, the temporary state immediately following exposure to a stressor during the initial alarm reaction stage

39
Q

Counter shock

A

In the General Adaption Syndrome, rebound from the temporary state of shock during the initial alarm reaction stage

40
Q

Resistance stage

A

The second stage of the General Adaption Syndrome, when the body’s resistance to the particular stressor rises above normal

41
Q

Exhaustion stage

A

The third stage of the General Adaption Syndrome when the body can no longer sustain resistance

42
Q

Transactional model of stress and coping

A

Proposes that stress involves an encounter between an individual and their environment, and that a stress response depends upon both an individual’s appraisal of the stressor and their ability to cope with it

43
Q

Primary appraisal

A

In the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, an individual’s evaluate of the significance of a potential stressor and whether anything is at stake in the encounter, resulting in a decision that it is either irrelevant, benign-positive or stressful

44
Q

Secondary appraisal

A

In the Transaction Model of Stress and Coping, an individual’s evaluation of their ability to control or overcome a stressful situation

45
Q

Coping

A

In relation to stress management, attempting to manage the demands of a stressor in some effective way

46
Q

Coping strategy

A

A specific method used to manage and reduce the stress produced by a stressor

47
Q

Context-specific effectiveness

A

In relation to coping, when there is a match or ‘good fit’ between the coping strategy that is used and the stressful situation

48
Q

Coping flexibility

A

The ability to effectively modify or adjust one’s coping strategies according to the demands of different stressors

49
Q

Approach coping strategies

A

An effort to cope with stress by confronting the stressor and dealing directly with it and its effects

50
Q

Avoidance coping strategies

A

An effort to cope with stress by evading the stressor and dealing indirectly with it and its effects

Psychology 3/4 (2 decks)

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