Unit 1

The study of relationships between physical stimulus characteristics and psychological experience

The minimum stimulation needed to detect a stimulus 50 percent of the time

A theory predicting how and when we detect stimuli under different conditions

Stimuli presented below the absolute threshold for conscious awareness

The activation of certain associations in memory that influence perception

The minimum difference between stimuli needed to detect a change

Diminished sensitivity after constant exposure to a stimulus

The distance between light waves that determines color

The dimension of color determined by wavelength

The amount of energy in a light wave that determines brightness

The transparent outer surface of the eye that bends light

The adjustable opening in the center of the eye

The colored muscle that controls pupil size

The transparent structure that focuses light on the retina

The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye

The process by which the lens changes shape to focus images

Retinal receptors sensitive to light, motion, and peripheral vision

Retinal receptors responsible for color vision and fine detail

The nerve that carries visual information to the brain

The point where the optic nerve leaves the eye and no receptors exist

The center of the retina with the greatest concentration of cones

The theory that color vision is based on three types of cones

The theory that color vision depends on opposing retinal processes

The sense of hearing

The number of sound wave cycles per second that determines pitch

The perceived highness or lowness of a sound

The chamber containing bones that amplify sound vibrations

A fluid-filled structure that converts sound vibrations into neural signals

The innermost part of the ear containing the cochlea

Hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve

Hearing loss caused by damage to the mechanical system of the ear

A device that converts sound into electrical signals for the auditory nerve

The theory that pitch is determined by where the cochlea is stimulated

The theory that pitch is determined by the rate of neural impulses

The theory that the spinal cord can block pain signals

The sense of taste

The sense of smell

The sense of body position and movement

The sense of balance and spatial orientation

The principle that senses influence one another

The influence of bodily sensations and actions on cognitive processes

The debate over how much behavior is influenced by genetics versus environment

The evolutionary process by which traits that aid survival and reproduction are passed on

The study of the relative influence of genes and environment on behavior

A random change in DNA that can create genetic variation

The transmission of genetic traits from parents to offspring

Segments of DNA that carry instructions for traits

The complete set of genetic material in an organism

Twins developed from a single fertilized egg and genetically identical

Twins developed from two separate fertilized eggs and genetically different

The combined effect of genes and environment on behavior

The study of how environment affects gene expression without changing DNA

The body’s electrochemical communication network

The brain and spinal cord

The sensory and motor neurons connecting the CNS to the body

Bundled axons that connect the CNS to muscles, glands, and sense organs

Neurons that carry incoming information from sensory receptors to the CNS

Neurons that carry outgoing signals from the CNS to muscles and glands

Neurons that process information within the brain and spinal cord

The division of the PNS that controls voluntary muscle movement

The division of the PNS that controls involuntary bodily functions

The ANS division that arouses the body for action

The ANS division that calms the body and conserves energy

An automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus

A nerve cell that transmits information

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus

Neuron branches that receive messages from other neurons

The neuron extension that sends signals to other cells

A fatty covering that speeds neural impulses

Cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons

A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

The minimum stimulation needed to trigger an action potential

A resting period after firing when a neuron cannot fire again

A neuron fires fully or not at all

The junction between two neurons

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses

The reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron

Neurotransmitters that reduce pain and increase pleasure

A substance that mimics or increases a neurotransmitter’s effect

A substance that blocks or decreases a neurotransmitter’s effect

A chemical that alters perceptions, mood, or behavior

Continued drug use despite negative consequences

Needing more of a drug to achieve the same effect

Compulsive drug use despite harmful effects

Physical and psychological discomfort after stopping drug use

Drugs that slow down the central nervous system

Drugs that speed up the central nervous system

Drugs that relieve pain and produce euphoria

Drugs that distort perception and consciousness

The body’s chemical communication system using hormones

Chemical messengers released into the bloodstream

The brain’s ability to change and reorganize itself

Tissue destruction in the brain

A non-invasive test that measures the electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp

An imaging technique using X-rays to show brain structure

A scan showing brain activity by tracking glucose use

An imaging technique showing brain structure using magnetic fields

A scan showing brain activity by measuring blood flow

The oldest brain region controlling basic survival functions

Controls heartbeat and breathing

Regulates arousal and alertness

Sensory relay station to the cortex

Coordinates balance and voluntary movement

Brain system involved in emotion and memory

Processes fear and aggression

Maintains homeostasis and regulates hormones

Forms new memories

The brain’s outer layer responsible for higher thinking

Responsible for decision making and motor control

Process touch and body position

Process visual information

Process auditory information

Controls voluntary muscle movement

Registers touch and body sensations

Brain regions that integrate information

Connects the brain’s two hemispheres

Awareness of oneself and the environment

The principle that information is processed consciously and unconsciously

Responding to visual stimuli without conscious awareness

The body’s internal 24-hour biological clock

Sleep stage associated with vivid dreams

Sleep stages without rapid eye movement

Brain waves present during relaxed wakefulness

Slow brain waves during deep sleep

Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep

Sudden uncontrollable sleep attacks

Disrupted breathing during sleep

The process of detecting physical energy from stimuli

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory input

Conversion of sensory energy into neural impulses