psych 1000 exam 1 -Oakland University Acetylcholine - relays info from neuron to muscle; too much produces muscle spasms, too little causes paralysis action potential of a neuron - the spike in voltage that passes through the axon; the purpose is to convey information or to send a message; it's the sudden positive change in the electrical charge of an axon adrenal glands - involved in the stress response and the regulation of salt balance agonists - boost normal neurotransmitter activity; more receptors are activated so more messages are sent all-or-none - a neuron either fires completely or not at all Amygdala - (limbic system) processes aggression and basic emotions such as fear; damage to the amygdala could cause aggressiveness or lack of fear antagonists - block normal neurotransmitter activity applied research - focuses on changing behavior and outcome astrocytes - support communication and restore the barriers between brain and blood autonomic nervous system - the branch of the PNS that controls involuntary processes within the body such as contraction of the GI tract and activity of the glands axon - a tube -like structure that extends from the cell body and sends messages to other neurons through its terminal buds basic research - usually done in university labs to prove or disprove theories Behavioral Perspective - the scientific study of observable behavior. Behavior is learned primarily through associations, reinforcers, and observation behaviors - includes outward actions and reactions Biological Perspective - uses knowledge about physiology to explain behavior and mental processes. Behavior and mental processes are the results of events in the body such as hormones, heredity, diseases in the brain, brain chemicals, and injury biological psychology - (biopsychology, psychobiology, neuropsychology, physiological psychology, behavioral neuroscience). The branch of psychology that focuses on how the brain and other biological systems influence behavior biology/experimental psych - studies the nervous and endocrine systems and how they influence behavior and mental processes biopsychosocial perspective - explains behavior through the interactions of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors brainstem - the ancient core of the brain; consists of midbrain and hindbrain Broca's area - a region of the cortex that is critical for speech production case study - a type of descriptive research that closely examines an individual or small group CAT scan (computerized axial tomography) - using x -rays, a scanner creates multiple cross -
sectional images of the brain cell body (soma) - includes structures that nourish the cell, and a nucleus containing DNA Central Nervous System (CNS) - brain and spinal cord cerebellum - "little brain"; behind the brainstem; responsible for muscle coordination and balance cerebral cortex - wrinkled outer most layer of the cerebrum; responsible for higher mental functions cerebrum - the largest part of the brain, includes almost all parts of the brain except the brainstem structure. Divided into two hemispheres, the left and right clinical psychology - treat moderate to severe psych disorders cognitive perspective - examines the mental processes that direct behavior. Focus on memory, intelligence, perception, thought processes, language, problem solving, and learning Cognitive Psychology - do research on memory, intelligence, perception, though processes, problem solving, language, and learning. confidentiality - researchers have to keep data save, generally don't link names or identifying factors with results contralateral processing - that references the opposite side of something. The hemispheres of the brain control the contralateral sides of the body. So, the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body
sectional images of the brain cell body (soma) - includes structures that nourish the cell, and a nucleus containing DNA Central Nervous System (CNS) - brain and spinal cord cerebellum - "little brain"; behind the brainstem; responsible for muscle coordination and balance cerebral cortex - wrinkled outer most layer of the cerebrum; responsible for higher mental functions cerebrum - the largest part of the brain, includes almost all parts of the brain except the brainstem structure. Divided into two hemispheres, the left and right clinical psychology - treat moderate to severe psych disorders cognitive perspective - examines the mental processes that direct behavior. Focus on memory, intelligence, perception, thought processes, language, problem solving, and learning Cognitive Psychology - do research on memory, intelligence, perception, though processes, problem solving, language, and learning. confidentiality - researchers have to keep data save, generally don't link names or identifying factors with results contralateral processing - that references the opposite side of something. The hemispheres of the brain control the contralateral sides of the body. So, the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body
