AP Psychology Unit One Summary

Introduction

• Focus on the biological basis of behavior.
• Nature vs. nurture debate: Now understood as nature and nurture.
  • Nature: Heredity, passing traits from generation to generation.
  • Nurture: Environmental factors like family, social groups, education.
• Different psychological perspectives show varied emphasis on nature vs. nurture.
  • Evolutionary Approach: Leans towards nature.
  • Epigenetics: Studies how environment affects gene expression.

Nervous System

• Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Connects CNS to the rest of the body.
• Types of neurons:
  • Afferent Neurons: Sensory neurons, bring signals to the brain.
  • Efferent Neurons: Motor neurons, carry signals from the brain.
  • Helpful mnemonic: Afferent (Approach), Efferent (Exit).

Peripheral Nervous System

• Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements.
• Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary functions.
  • Sympathetic Division: Prepares body for action (fight or flight).
  • Parasympathetic Division: Calms body (rest and digest).

Neural Firing and Neurotransmission

• Neurons: Basic functional unit of the nervous system.
  • Action Potential: Neuron fires electrical impulse.
  • Resting Potential: State when not firing.
  • Threshold: Minimum stimulation required to trigger an action potential.

Synaptic Transmission

• Synapse: Space between neurons where neurotransmitters travel.
• Reuptake: Reabsorption of neurotransmitters.
• Types of neurotransmitters:
  • ACh, Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins, etc.
• Disruptions can lead to disorders like multiple sclerosis.

Psychoactive Drugs

• Agonists: Enhance neurotransmitter action.
• Antagonists: Inhibit neurotransmitter action.
• Categories:
  • Stimulants, Depressants, Hallucinogens, Opioids

Brain Structures and Functions

• Hindbrain, Midbrain, Forebrain: Major brain regions.
• Key structures:
  • Spinal Cord, Medulla, Pons, Reticular Formation, Cerebellum
• Forebrain Structures: Cerebrum, Limbic System, Thalamus, Hypothalamus
• Hemispheric Specialization: Different functions for left and right hemispheres.

Brain Imaging and Research

• Historical cases like Phineas Gage and split-brain research.
• Techniques: EEG, fMRI

Sleep and Consciousness

• Circadian Rhythms: Biological clock, regulates sleep-wake cycles.
• Sleep Stages: Non-REM (Stage 1-3) and REM sleep.
• Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy

Sensation and Perception

• Sensory Transduction: Conversion of sensory stimuli to neural signals.
• Absolute Threshold: Minimum stimulus needed for detection.
• Sensory Adaptation vs. Habituation
• Visual System: Eyes structure, rods and cones.
  • Color Theories: Trichromatic and Opponent-Process Theory
• Auditory System: Sound waves, frequency, and pitch theories.
• Chemical Senses: Olfactory (smell) and Gustatory (taste).

Touch, Pain, and Balance

• Gate Control Theory of Pain
• Phantom Limb Sensation
• Vestibular Sense and Kinesthesis: Balance and body movement awareness.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on understanding the interaction of different systems in psychology.
• Encouragement to utilize study resources for better understanding and exam preparation.