AQA A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 1
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,INTRODUCTORY TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY
What is psychology? The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes
What are the 7 approaches in psychology? Biological, Cognitive, Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Evolutionary, Social
What does the biological approach focus on? The brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, and genetics as explanations for behaviour
What are neurotransmitters? Chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals between neurons
Name three key neurotransmitters Dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline (GABA, glutamate also acceptable)
What is the function of dopamine? Associated with motivation, reward, and movement; low levels linked to depression
What is the function of serotonin? Regulates mood, sleep, and appetite; low levels linked to depression
What is the function of noradrenaline? Associated with arousal and attention; low levels linked to depression
What is a synapse? The gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released
What is synaptic transmission? Process by which neurotransmitters cross the synapse to transmit signals
What are the four main brain structures? Cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, limbic system
What does the cerebrum do? Controls higher functions: thinking, memory, emotion, movement, sensory processing
What does the cerebellum do? Coordinates movement, balance, and motor control
, What does the brainstem do? Controls automatic functions: breathing, heart rate, sleep-wake cycles
What is the limbic system? Group of structures involved in emotion, memory, and motivation (includes amygdala,
hippocampus)
What is the amygdala? Part of limbic system; processes emotions, especially fear and aggression
What is the hippocampus? Part of limbic system; crucial for memory formation and consolidation
What is the hypothalamus? Controls hormones and autonomic nervous system; regulates homeostasis
What are neurotransmitters and give one example of a Chemical messengers in the brain; depression linked to low
disorder linked to imbalance serotonin/dopamine/noradrenaline
What is the nervous system divided into? Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is the CNS? Brain and spinal cord; controls all body functions
What is the PNS? All nerves outside CNS; transmits signals between CNS and rest of body
What is the autonomic nervous system? Part of PNS; controls involuntary functions (heart rate, digestion, breathing)
What are the two divisions of autonomic nervous system? Sympathetic and parasympathetic
What does the sympathetic nervous system do? "Fight or flight" response; increases heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormone release
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do? "Rest and digest" response; decreases arousal, aids digestion and recovery
What is a neuron? A nerve cell that transmits electrical and chemical signals
What are the three types of neurons? Sensory neurons, motor neurons, interneurons
What is a sensory neuron? Carries signals from sensory receptors to the CNS
What is a motor neuron? Carries signals from CNS to muscles
REVISION | STUDY GUIDE AND EXAM PREP
| 100% VERIFIED | A+ GUARANTEE
Updated Questions and Answers | 100% Verified Exam Prep
,INTRODUCTORY TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY
What is psychology? The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes
What are the 7 approaches in psychology? Biological, Cognitive, Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Evolutionary, Social
What does the biological approach focus on? The brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, and genetics as explanations for behaviour
What are neurotransmitters? Chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals between neurons
Name three key neurotransmitters Dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline (GABA, glutamate also acceptable)
What is the function of dopamine? Associated with motivation, reward, and movement; low levels linked to depression
What is the function of serotonin? Regulates mood, sleep, and appetite; low levels linked to depression
What is the function of noradrenaline? Associated with arousal and attention; low levels linked to depression
What is a synapse? The gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released
What is synaptic transmission? Process by which neurotransmitters cross the synapse to transmit signals
What are the four main brain structures? Cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, limbic system
What does the cerebrum do? Controls higher functions: thinking, memory, emotion, movement, sensory processing
What does the cerebellum do? Coordinates movement, balance, and motor control
, What does the brainstem do? Controls automatic functions: breathing, heart rate, sleep-wake cycles
What is the limbic system? Group of structures involved in emotion, memory, and motivation (includes amygdala,
hippocampus)
What is the amygdala? Part of limbic system; processes emotions, especially fear and aggression
What is the hippocampus? Part of limbic system; crucial for memory formation and consolidation
What is the hypothalamus? Controls hormones and autonomic nervous system; regulates homeostasis
What are neurotransmitters and give one example of a Chemical messengers in the brain; depression linked to low
disorder linked to imbalance serotonin/dopamine/noradrenaline
What is the nervous system divided into? Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is the CNS? Brain and spinal cord; controls all body functions
What is the PNS? All nerves outside CNS; transmits signals between CNS and rest of body
What is the autonomic nervous system? Part of PNS; controls involuntary functions (heart rate, digestion, breathing)
What are the two divisions of autonomic nervous system? Sympathetic and parasympathetic
What does the sympathetic nervous system do? "Fight or flight" response; increases heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormone release
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do? "Rest and digest" response; decreases arousal, aids digestion and recovery
What is a neuron? A nerve cell that transmits electrical and chemical signals
What are the three types of neurons? Sensory neurons, motor neurons, interneurons
What is a sensory neuron? Carries signals from sensory receptors to the CNS
What is a motor neuron? Carries signals from CNS to muscles
