Overzicht van de psychologie
Adaptations In evolutionary theory, the physical characteristics, skills,
or abilities that increase the chances of reproduction or
survival and are therefore likely to be passed on along the
future generations.
Behaviorisme A psychological approach that emphasizes the role of
environmental forces in producing behaviour.
Cognitive neuroscience The study of the neural mechanisms that underlie thought,
learning and memory.
Cognitive psychology The study of how people think, learn and remember
Critical thinking Systematically evaluating information to reach reasonable
conclusions
Culture The beliefs, values, rules and customs that exist within a
group of people who share a common language and
environment and that are transmitted through learning
from one generation to the next.
Evolutionary theory Theory presented by Charles Darwin; it views the history
of a species in terms of the inherited, adaptive value of
physical characteristics, of mental activity, and of
behaviour.
Functionalism An approach to psychology concerned with the adaptive
purpose, of function, of mind and behaviour.
Gestalt theory A theory based on the idea that the whole of personal
experience is different from simply the sum of its
constituent elements.
Introspection A systematic examination of subjective mental
experiences that requires people to inspect and report on
the content of their thoughts.
Mind/body problem A fundamental psychological issue: are mind and body
separate and distinct, or is the mind simply the physical
brain’s subjective experience?
Natural selection In evolutionary theory, the idea that those who inherit
characteristics that help them adapt to their particular
environments have a selective advantage over those who
do not.
Nature/nurture debate The arguments concerning whether psychological
characteristics are biologically innate or acquired through
education, experience and culture.
Psychoanalysis A method developed by Sigmund Freud that attempts to
bring the contents of the unconscious into conscious
awareness so that conflicts can be revealed.
Psychological science The study of mind, brain and behavior.
Social psychology The study of how people to work less hard in a group than
when working alone
Stream of consciousness A phrase coined by William James to describe each
person’s continuous series of ever-changing thoughts.
Structuralism An approach to psychology based on the idea that
conscious experience can be broken down into its basic
underlying components.
Unconscious The mental processes that operate below the level of
conscious awareness.
Chapter 3
Acetylcholine The neurotransmitter responsible for motor control at the
junction between nerves and muscles; also involved in
mental processes such as learning, memory, sleeping and
dreaming
Action potential The neural impulse that passes along the axon and
,Overzicht van de psychologie
subsequently causes the release of chemicals from the
terminal buttons
Agonists Drugs that enhance the actions of neurotransmitters
All-or-none principle The principle whereby a neuron fires with the same
potency each time, although frequency can vary; a neuron
either fires or not – it cannot partially fire.
Amygdala A brain structure that serves a vital role in our learning to
associate things with emotional responses and in
processing emotional information.
Antagonists Drugs that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) A component of the peripheral nervous system; it
transmits sensory signals and motor signals between the
central nervous system and the body’s glands and internal
organs.
Axon A long narrow outgrowth of a neuron by which
information is transmitted to other neurons.
Basal ganglia A system of subcortical structures that are important for
the production of planned movement.
Brain stem An extension of the spinal cord; it houses structures that
control functions associated with survival, such as
breathing, swallowing, vomiting, urination and orgasm.
Broca’s area A small portion of the left frontal region of the brain,
crucial for the production of language.
Cell body Site, in the neuron, where information from thousands of
the other neurons is collected and integrated.
Central nervous system (CNS) The brain and the spinal cord.
Cerebellum A large, convoluted protuberance at the back of the brain
stem; it is essential for coordinated movement and
balance.
Cerebral cortex The outer layer of the brain tissue, which forms the
convoluted surface of the bran.
Chromosomes Structures within the cell body that are made up of DNA.
DNA consists of genes.
Dendrites Branchlike extensions of the neuron that detect
information from other neurons.
Dizygotic twins Also called fraternal twins; twin siblings that result from
two separately fertilized eggs and therefore are no more
similar genetically than nontwin siblings.
Dominant gene A gene that is expressed in the offspring whenever it is
present.
Dopamine A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in motivation
reward, and motor control over voluntary movement.
Endocrine system A communication system that uses hormones to influence
thoughts, behaviors and actions.
Endorphins Neurotransmitters involved in natural pain reduction and
reward.
Epinephrine A monoamine neurotransmitter responsible for bursts of
energy after an event that is exciting or threatening.
Frontal lobes Regions of the cerebral cortex, important for movement
and higher-level psychological processes associated with
the prefrontal cortex.
GABA Gamma-aminobutyric acid; the primary inhibitory
transmitter in the nervous system.
Genes The units of heredity that help determine the
characteristics of an organism.
Genotype The genetic constitution of an organism, determined at
the moment of the conception.
Glutamate The primary excitatory transmitter in the nervous system.
Gonads The main endocrine glands involved in sexual behaviour: in
, Overzicht van de psychologie
males, the testes; in females, the ovaries.
Heritability A statistical estimate of the extent to which variation in a
trait within a population is due to genetic factors.
Hippocampus A brain structures that is associated with the formation of
memories.
Hormones Chemical substances, released from endocrine glands, that
travel through the bloodstream to targeted tissues; the
tissues are subsequently influenced by the hormones.
Hypothalamus A brain structure that is involved in the regulation of
bodily functions, including body temperature, blood
pressure, and blood glucose levels; it also influences our
basic motivated behaviours.
Interneurons One of the three types of neurons; these neurons
communicate only with other neurons.
Monozygotic twins Also called identical twins; twin siblings that result from
one zygote splitting in two and therefore share the same
genes.
Motor neurons One of the three types of neurons; these efferent neurons
direct muscles to contract or relax, thereby producing
movement.
Myelin sheath A fatty material, made up of glial cells, that insulates the
axon and allows for the rapid movement of electrical
impulses along the axon.
Neurons The basic units of the nervous system; cells that receive,
integrate, and transmit information in the nervous system.
They operate through electrical impulses, communicate
with other neurons through chemical signals, and form
neural networks.
Neurotransmitters Chemical substances that carry signals from the one
neuron to another.
Nodes of Ranvier Small gaps of exposed axon, between the segments of
myelin sheath, where action potentials are transmitted.
Norepinephrine A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in states of
arousal and awareness.
Occipital lobes Regions of the cerebral cortex, at the back of the brain,
important for vision.
Parasympathetic division A division of the autonomic nervous system; it returns to
the body to its resting state.
Parietal lobes Regions of the cerebral cortex, in front of the occipital
lobes and behind the frontal lobes, important for the
sense of touch and for conceptualizing the spatial layout of
an environment.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) All the nerve cells in the body that are not part of the
central nervous system. The peripheral nervous system
includes the somatic and autonomic nervous system.
Phenotype Observable physical characteristics, which result from both
genetic and environmental influences.
Pituitary gland A gland located at the base of the hypothalamus; it sends
hormonal signal to other endocrine glands, controlling
their release of hormones.
Plasticity A property of the brain that allows it to change as a result
of experience, drugs or injury.
Prefrontal cortex The frontmost portion of the frontal lobes, especially
prominent in humans, important for attention, working
memory, decision making, appropriate social behaviour,
and personality.
Receptors In neurons, specialized protein molecules on the
postsynaptic membrane, neurotransmitters bind to these
molecules after passing across the synaptic cleft.
Adaptations In evolutionary theory, the physical characteristics, skills,
or abilities that increase the chances of reproduction or
survival and are therefore likely to be passed on along the
future generations.
Behaviorisme A psychological approach that emphasizes the role of
environmental forces in producing behaviour.
Cognitive neuroscience The study of the neural mechanisms that underlie thought,
learning and memory.
Cognitive psychology The study of how people think, learn and remember
Critical thinking Systematically evaluating information to reach reasonable
conclusions
Culture The beliefs, values, rules and customs that exist within a
group of people who share a common language and
environment and that are transmitted through learning
from one generation to the next.
Evolutionary theory Theory presented by Charles Darwin; it views the history
of a species in terms of the inherited, adaptive value of
physical characteristics, of mental activity, and of
behaviour.
Functionalism An approach to psychology concerned with the adaptive
purpose, of function, of mind and behaviour.
Gestalt theory A theory based on the idea that the whole of personal
experience is different from simply the sum of its
constituent elements.
Introspection A systematic examination of subjective mental
experiences that requires people to inspect and report on
the content of their thoughts.
Mind/body problem A fundamental psychological issue: are mind and body
separate and distinct, or is the mind simply the physical
brain’s subjective experience?
Natural selection In evolutionary theory, the idea that those who inherit
characteristics that help them adapt to their particular
environments have a selective advantage over those who
do not.
Nature/nurture debate The arguments concerning whether psychological
characteristics are biologically innate or acquired through
education, experience and culture.
Psychoanalysis A method developed by Sigmund Freud that attempts to
bring the contents of the unconscious into conscious
awareness so that conflicts can be revealed.
Psychological science The study of mind, brain and behavior.
Social psychology The study of how people to work less hard in a group than
when working alone
Stream of consciousness A phrase coined by William James to describe each
person’s continuous series of ever-changing thoughts.
Structuralism An approach to psychology based on the idea that
conscious experience can be broken down into its basic
underlying components.
Unconscious The mental processes that operate below the level of
conscious awareness.
Chapter 3
Acetylcholine The neurotransmitter responsible for motor control at the
junction between nerves and muscles; also involved in
mental processes such as learning, memory, sleeping and
dreaming
Action potential The neural impulse that passes along the axon and
,Overzicht van de psychologie
subsequently causes the release of chemicals from the
terminal buttons
Agonists Drugs that enhance the actions of neurotransmitters
All-or-none principle The principle whereby a neuron fires with the same
potency each time, although frequency can vary; a neuron
either fires or not – it cannot partially fire.
Amygdala A brain structure that serves a vital role in our learning to
associate things with emotional responses and in
processing emotional information.
Antagonists Drugs that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) A component of the peripheral nervous system; it
transmits sensory signals and motor signals between the
central nervous system and the body’s glands and internal
organs.
Axon A long narrow outgrowth of a neuron by which
information is transmitted to other neurons.
Basal ganglia A system of subcortical structures that are important for
the production of planned movement.
Brain stem An extension of the spinal cord; it houses structures that
control functions associated with survival, such as
breathing, swallowing, vomiting, urination and orgasm.
Broca’s area A small portion of the left frontal region of the brain,
crucial for the production of language.
Cell body Site, in the neuron, where information from thousands of
the other neurons is collected and integrated.
Central nervous system (CNS) The brain and the spinal cord.
Cerebellum A large, convoluted protuberance at the back of the brain
stem; it is essential for coordinated movement and
balance.
Cerebral cortex The outer layer of the brain tissue, which forms the
convoluted surface of the bran.
Chromosomes Structures within the cell body that are made up of DNA.
DNA consists of genes.
Dendrites Branchlike extensions of the neuron that detect
information from other neurons.
Dizygotic twins Also called fraternal twins; twin siblings that result from
two separately fertilized eggs and therefore are no more
similar genetically than nontwin siblings.
Dominant gene A gene that is expressed in the offspring whenever it is
present.
Dopamine A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in motivation
reward, and motor control over voluntary movement.
Endocrine system A communication system that uses hormones to influence
thoughts, behaviors and actions.
Endorphins Neurotransmitters involved in natural pain reduction and
reward.
Epinephrine A monoamine neurotransmitter responsible for bursts of
energy after an event that is exciting or threatening.
Frontal lobes Regions of the cerebral cortex, important for movement
and higher-level psychological processes associated with
the prefrontal cortex.
GABA Gamma-aminobutyric acid; the primary inhibitory
transmitter in the nervous system.
Genes The units of heredity that help determine the
characteristics of an organism.
Genotype The genetic constitution of an organism, determined at
the moment of the conception.
Glutamate The primary excitatory transmitter in the nervous system.
Gonads The main endocrine glands involved in sexual behaviour: in
, Overzicht van de psychologie
males, the testes; in females, the ovaries.
Heritability A statistical estimate of the extent to which variation in a
trait within a population is due to genetic factors.
Hippocampus A brain structures that is associated with the formation of
memories.
Hormones Chemical substances, released from endocrine glands, that
travel through the bloodstream to targeted tissues; the
tissues are subsequently influenced by the hormones.
Hypothalamus A brain structure that is involved in the regulation of
bodily functions, including body temperature, blood
pressure, and blood glucose levels; it also influences our
basic motivated behaviours.
Interneurons One of the three types of neurons; these neurons
communicate only with other neurons.
Monozygotic twins Also called identical twins; twin siblings that result from
one zygote splitting in two and therefore share the same
genes.
Motor neurons One of the three types of neurons; these efferent neurons
direct muscles to contract or relax, thereby producing
movement.
Myelin sheath A fatty material, made up of glial cells, that insulates the
axon and allows for the rapid movement of electrical
impulses along the axon.
Neurons The basic units of the nervous system; cells that receive,
integrate, and transmit information in the nervous system.
They operate through electrical impulses, communicate
with other neurons through chemical signals, and form
neural networks.
Neurotransmitters Chemical substances that carry signals from the one
neuron to another.
Nodes of Ranvier Small gaps of exposed axon, between the segments of
myelin sheath, where action potentials are transmitted.
Norepinephrine A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in states of
arousal and awareness.
Occipital lobes Regions of the cerebral cortex, at the back of the brain,
important for vision.
Parasympathetic division A division of the autonomic nervous system; it returns to
the body to its resting state.
Parietal lobes Regions of the cerebral cortex, in front of the occipital
lobes and behind the frontal lobes, important for the
sense of touch and for conceptualizing the spatial layout of
an environment.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) All the nerve cells in the body that are not part of the
central nervous system. The peripheral nervous system
includes the somatic and autonomic nervous system.
Phenotype Observable physical characteristics, which result from both
genetic and environmental influences.
Pituitary gland A gland located at the base of the hypothalamus; it sends
hormonal signal to other endocrine glands, controlling
their release of hormones.
Plasticity A property of the brain that allows it to change as a result
of experience, drugs or injury.
Prefrontal cortex The frontmost portion of the frontal lobes, especially
prominent in humans, important for attention, working
memory, decision making, appropriate social behaviour,
and personality.
Receptors In neurons, specialized protein molecules on the
postsynaptic membrane, neurotransmitters bind to these
molecules after passing across the synaptic cleft.
