AP Psychology Ultimate Guide Flashcards

Key Figures and Concepts

Brain Regions and Functions

• Paul Broca: Connected Broca's area with expressive aphasia.
• Broca's Area: Located in the left frontal lobe; associated with speech production.
• Expressive Aphasia: Difficulty in producing language due to damage in Broca's area.
• Carl Wernicke: Linked Wernicke's area to language comprehension.
• Wernicke's Area: In the left temporal lobe; crucial for understanding language.
• Receptive Aphasia: Issues with language comprehension due to Wernicke's area damage.

Brain Techniques and Structures

• Lesions & Ablation: Techniques for studying brain function through tissue destruction or removal.
• Split Brains: Research by Sperry and Gazzaniga on hemisphere functions.
• Brain Lateralization: Specialization of the brain's hemispheres for different tasks.

Imaging Techniques

• CAT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography): X-ray imaging for 2D brain slices.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses magnetic fields for detailed brain images.
• EEG (Electroencephalogram): Records electrical activity in the brain.
• PET (Positron Emission Tomography): Shows brain's metabolic activity.
• fMRI (Functional MRI): Measures brain activity through blood oxygen levels.
• MEG (Magnetoencephalography): Detects magnetic fields from brain activity.

Nervous Systems

Central and Peripheral

• Central Nervous System: Comprises the brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral Nervous System: Includes somatic (voluntary) and autonomic (involuntary) systems.
  • Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements.
  • Autonomic Nervous System: Regulates involuntary functions.
    • Sympathetic: Triggers fight or flight.
    • Parasympathetic: Calms the body.

Brain Protective Structures

• Meninges: Membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord.

Brain Regions

• Medulla Oblongata: Manages heart rate and breathing.
• Pons: Connects brain regions, involved in arousal.
• Cerebellum: Coordinates movement and balance.
• Basal Ganglia: Involved in movement initiation.
• Thalamus: Sensory relay station.
• Hypothalamus: Hormone regulation and bodily functions.
• Hippocampus: Essential for new long-term memory formation.
• Cerebral Cortex: Responsible for high-level processes.
• Plasticity: Brain’s ability to reorganize after injury.
• Limbic System: Associated with emotions and memory.

Neurons and Neurotransmitters

Neuron Structure

• Neuron: Basic unit for information transmission.
• Cell Body (Soma): Contains nucleus and organelles.
• Dendrites: Receive signals from other neurons.
• Axon: Transmits signals away from cell body.
• Myelin Sheath: Insulates axon to speed up transmission.

Neurotransmitters

• Dopamine: Related to pleasure and movement.
• Glutamate: Excitatory neurotransmitter important for learning.
• Serotonin: Affects mood, appetite, sleep.
• Opioid Peptides: Natural painkillers.
• GABA: Inhibitory, reduces excitability.
• Norepinephrine: Involved in arousal and attention.

Genetics and Behavior

Genetic Influence

• Nature-Nurture Controversy: Debate over genetics vs. environment.
• Evolutionary Psychology: Influence of evolutionary principles on behavior.
• Behavioral Geneticists: Study genetic and environmental influences.
• Identical vs. Fraternal Twins: Genetic sharing differences.

Genetic Traits and Disorders

• Heritability: Genetic contribution to trait variation.
• Chromosomes and Genes: Structure and function.
• Turner, Klinefelters, Down Syndromes: Genetic disorders.
• Genotype vs. Phenotype: Genetic makeup vs. observable traits.

Disorders

• Tay-Sachs, PKU, Huntington’s Disease: Genetic disorders affecting the nervous system.

Consciousness and Biological Rhythms

States of Consciousness

• Levels of Consciousness: Ranges from conscious to unconscious.
• Preconscious: Easily accessed information.
• Nonconscious: Processes outside awareness.
• Unconscious: Repressed thoughts and feelings.
• Dual Processing: Simultaneous conscious and unconscious processing.

Circadian Rhythms

• Circadian Rhythm: Biological clock for sleep-wake cycles.