Bio-psychology and the approaches.

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ACTH
A hormone released by the pituitary gland. Stimulates the adrenal glands to release into the bloodstream.
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Action Potential
A spike in electric charge in an axon caused by sodium ions crossing the cell membrane.
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Adrenal Glands
Small glands on top of each kidney that produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
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Adrenaline
Key hormone in the stress response that is produced by the adrenal glands and increases; heart rate, breathing rate etc.
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Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Sub-division of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that controls involuntary responses like breathing and heart rate.
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Axon
A single long slender fiber that carries the nerve impulse away from the cell body.
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Axon Terminal
The very end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters and makes synaptic contact with the next neuron in the chain.
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Behaviourism
The theory that human and animal behaviour can be explained in terms of conditioning, without considering thoughts and feelings.
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Brain Stem
Regulates autonomic functions essential for life. Motor and sensory neurons travel through here connecting the brain and spinal cord.
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Central Nervous System (CNS)
Sub-system of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord.
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Cerebrum
The cerebrum is divided into four regions called lobes, that control senses, thoughts and movements.
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Cerebellum
Organises and plans movement
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Chromosome
Hold the genetic material that is passed between parents and offspring. Humans have 23 pairs.
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Classical Conditioning
Learning through association when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together.
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Cognitive Neuroscience
An academic field that studies the influence of brain structures on mental processes using techniques such as brain scans.
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Computer Models
Software simulations of internal mental processes that are created in collaboration with computer scientists.
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Concordance Rate
The extent to which both twins share the same characteristics.
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Dendrites
Root like structures protruding from the cell body that receive signals from other neurons.
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Diencephalon
Relays sensory information between brain regions and controls many autonomic features.
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DZ Twins
Non-identical twins, who share 20% of their genes.
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Empirical
Based on scientific testing or personal experience rather than theory or logic.
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Endocrine System
A collection of organs that secrete hormones into the blood stream
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Evolution
Gradual changes in an inherited characteristic of a species over many generations.
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Excitation
Occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse makes the receptor site's cell more likely to act.
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Fight or Flight Response
The way an animal (including humans) responds to stress as it becomes physiologically aroused to fight an aggressor or to run away.
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Genotype
A person's unique genetic make-up that is coded in their chromosomes and fixed at conception.
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Hormones
Biochemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream in order to target specific organs.
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Hypothalamus
Part of the brain that links the nervous system to the endocrine system. Releases hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland.
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Identification
Associating with a role model's and adopting their behaviour because you want to be like them.
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Imitation
Copying or reproducing behaviour that has been learned through observation.
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Inference
Process of drawing conclusions about general patterns of behaviour.
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Information Processing Model
The idea that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages.
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Inhibition
Occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse makes the receptor site's cell less likely to act.
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Internal Mental Processes
The operations both conscious and unconscious that occur during thinking. For example, perception and memory.
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Introspection
Observing and examining you own conscious thoughts and emotions
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Learning
A relatively lasting change in behaviour that is the result of experience.
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Mediating Cognitive Factors
Internal mental processes that lie between the stimulus and the response.
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Modelling
Imitating a role model or producing a specific behaviour that may then be imitated by the observer.
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Motor Neuron
Carries signals from the central nervous system (CNS) to internal organs and muscles.
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Myelin Sheath
A fatty layer that protects the exon and speeds up the electrical transmission of the nerve impulse.
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MZ Twins
Identical twins who share 100% of their genes.
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Natural Selection
The way that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances the ability to survive and reproduce will continue in future generations.
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Negative Reinforcement
Avoiding or removing something unpleasant when a behaviour is performed that increases chance that the behaviour is repeated.
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Nervous System
Bodily system consisting of the CNS and PNS. Provides rapid responses to stimuli.
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Neuron
Cells within the nervous system that process and transmit messages.
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Neurotransmitter
Chemicals that transfer signals from one neuron to another across the synapses that lie between them.
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Objective
Not influenced by private emotions, perceptions or biases.
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Operant Conditioning
Learning through reinforcement where behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences.
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Parasympathetic Nervous System
Sub-division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that controls the 'rest and digest; response.
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Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Sub-system of the nervous system that transmits messages from the body to the central nervous system and back again.
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Phenotype
The expression of a person's genetic make-up that can be influenced by the environment.
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Pituitary Gland
The 'master gland' of the endocrine system, which is located in the brain and controls the release of hormones from other glands.
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Positive Reinforcement
Receiving something pleasant when a behaviour is performed that increases the chance of the behaviour being repeated.
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Postsynaptic Receptor Sites.
In the dendrites of the receiving neuron, they take up the neurotransmitter once it has crossed the synaptic gap
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Punishment
Receiving something unpleasant when a behaviour is performed which decreases the chance the behaviour is repeated.
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Reciprocal Determinism
The way a person is influenced by their environment but also influences the environment.
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Relay Neuron
Carries signals between sensory and motor neurons or connect to other relay neurons within the CNS.
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Response
The reaction to a specific stimulus, e.g. salivating when you see food.
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Schemas
Mental framework of information that we use to organise past experience and to interpret and respond to new situations.
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Sensory Neuron
Carries signals from the senses to the CNS
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Social Learning Theory
The view that people learn through observing others.
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Somatic Nervous System
Sub-division of the PNS that controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors.
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Stimulus
Anything in the environment detectable by the senses, e.g. smell, sight, sound etc.
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Structuralism
Using the experiment method to find the building blocks of thought.
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Subjective
Affected by personal feelings, prejudices and interpretations.
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Sympathetic Nervous System
Sub-division of the ANS that controls the 'fight or flight' response.
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Synapse
The tiny gap between one neuron and the next
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Synaptic Transmission
The way that signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synaptic gap.
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Theoretical Models
Diagrammatic representations of the steps involved in internal mental processes, e.g. the information - processing model.
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Twin Study
Used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates between pairs of twins.
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Vicarious Reinforcement
Observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour and the consequences of their actions.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

A spike in electric charge in an axon caused by sodium ions crossing the cell membrane.

Back

Action Potential

Card 3

Front

Small glands on top of each kidney that produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Key hormone in the stress response that is produced by the adrenal glands and increases; heart rate, breathing rate etc.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Sub-division of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that controls involuntary responses like breathing and heart rate.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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