Questions and Answers


Question Answer
the miroscopic space between two neurons over which messages pass synapse
the brain and spinal cord central nervous system
is compsed of nerves that carry info to and from the CNS peripheral nerves system
area of the brain associated with higher mental functions and the control of movement cerebral cortex
measures the waves of electrical activity produced by the brain electroencephalography
shows which bran areas use more energy by measuring glucose consumption positron emission tomography
the study of progressive changes in behavior and abilities over a lifespan developmental psychology
the rapid and early learning of permanent behavior patterns imprinting
the theory characteristic that states that language acquistion is innate, or inborn biological predisposition
specialists in the psychology of language psycholinguists
acquisition of values, beliefs, and thinking abilities that guide responsible behavior moral development
a clack or withholding of normail stimulation, nutrition, comfort, or love deprivation
selective breeding for desirable characteristics eugenics
physical symptoms that mimic disease or injury for which there is no identifiable cause somatoform disorders
mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions, social withdrawal and retreat from reality psychotic disorders
mental illness marked by feelings of fear, apprehension and panic-based distortions in behavior anxiety disorders
the scientific study of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders; an inability to have in ways that foster the well-being of the individual and society psychopathology
mental illness which involves disturbances in affect, or emotion mood disorders
mental illness which includes cases of sudden temporary amnesia, multiple personality and depersonalization dissociative disorders
disorder in which the person lacks a consience, is impulsive, selfish, emotionally shallow and tends to manipulate others antisocial personality
feelings of apprehension, dread, or uneasiness anxiety
a disorder in chich a person fears that something extremely embarrassing will happen if they leave home or step somewhere unknown agoraphobia
disorder in which a person is preocupied with certain distressing thoughts and feels compelled to perform certain behaviors OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
disorder in which a person is in a chronic state of anxiety, and also has moments of sudden, intense, unexpected panic panic disorder
a plea that a person was incapable of knowing right from wrong at the time of a crime insanity defense
impaired mental cometence to control actions or to know right from wrong, possibly caused by drug or alcohol intake diminished capacity
an age-related disorder characterized by impaired memory, confusion, and a progressive loss of mental abilities alzheimer's disease (all timers)
a type of psychosis characterized by delusions, hallucainations, apathy, and a split between thought and emotion schizophrenia
type of schizophrenia marked by stupor, rigidity, unresponsiveness, mutism, and sometimes, agitated behavior catatonic schizophrenia
a message which places the listener in an unsolvable emotional conflict, no-win solution double-bind communication
mood disorders in which a persons emotions range from hight mania to intensely low depressive states bipolar disorders
treatment technique in which a 150 volt electrical current is passed through the brain for slightly less than one second electroconvulsive therapy
an irreversible side effect of psychotropic medications marked by rhythmic facial and mouth movements tardive dyskinesia
the trend toward reduced use of full-time commitment to mental institutions deinstitutionalization
psychological state in which distinct changes occur in the quality and pattern of mental activity altered state of consiousness
a person who sleepwalks somnambulist
a bad dream that takes place in REM sleep nightmare
a totally panicked stuation in which a person may hallucinate frightening dream images; occurs during non-REM sleep night terrors
sudden, irresisible sleep attacks narcolepsy
during sleep, breathing stops for 20 secs sleep apnea
an altered state of consiousness characterized by narrowed attention and an increased openness to suggestion hypnosis
a substance that decreases activity in the body and nervous system depressant
a substance that increases activity in the body and nervous system stimulant
a substance capable of altering attention, judgment, memory, time sense, self-control, emotions, or perception psychoactive drug
reduced response to a drug drug tolerance
sedative drugs that depress brain activity barbiturates
a combination of drugs will sometimes produce this effect of one drug enhancing the effects of another drug drug interaction
drugs that lower anxiety and reduce tension tranquilizers
the removal of poision from one's system; used as a first step in treatment of addictions detoxification
a person who has below normal intelligence who shows exceptional mental ability in a very limited area is said to have this condition savant syndrome
the global capacity to act puposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with the enviroment intelligence
the ability of a test to yield the same scores each time it is given to the same person reliability
the ability of a test to measure what it purports to measure validity
a bell-shaped chart of scores ranges which has a large number of scores in the middle, tapering to very few extremely high and low scores normal curve
an organic source of retardation by an extra 21st chromosome down syndrom
IQ range below 25, needs total care profoundly retarded
IQ range between 25 and 55, capable of mastering basic lang. and self-help skills and can be self-supporting by working in a sheltered workshop severely or moderately retarded
an ability to manage ones own thinking and prob solving metacognitive skills
needs which must be met for survival prim motives
needs based on learned needs, drives and goals, for ex. power or approval secondary motives
needs for stimulation stimulus motives
excessive eating followed by self-vomiting bulimia nervosa
active self-starvation anorexia nervosa
there are ideal levels of arousal for various activities; ppl try to keep arousal near these ideal lvls arousal theory
if a stimulus causes a strong emotion, such as fear or pleasure, an opp emotion tends to occur when the stim ends opponent-process theory
a hormone which is reduced at night by the pineal gland in the brain which controls the timing of the body rhythms and sleep cycles melatonin