AP Psychology: Biological Bases of Behavior

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of neurotransmitters?

To transmit electrical signals within neurons

To maintain balance and coordination

To transmit signals across synapses (correct)

To regulate growth and reproduction

Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for basic life functions such as breathing and heartbeat?

Cerebellum

Cerebrum

Brainstem (correct)

Thalamus

Which of the following correctly describes sensation?

The conversion of physical energy into neural signals

The awareness of ourselves and our environment

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information

The process of receiving and detecting stimuli from the environment (correct)

What is the role of the myelin sheath in neurons?

To insulate the axon and speed up signal transmission Signup and view all the answers

How does the endocrine system influence behavior?

By secreting hormones that regulate bodily functions Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the left and right hemispheres of the brain?

They process information in different ways Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of classical conditioning?

Learning through association between two stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What are perceptual constancies?

The ability to perceive objects as stable despite changes in sensory input Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a conditioned response?

Salivating at the sound of a bell Signup and view all the answers

Which theory of emotion suggests that physiological arousal occurs simultaneously with the experience of emotion?

Cannon-Bard Theory Signup and view all the answers

In which stage of cognitive development did Piaget believe that children begin to think logically about concrete events?

Concrete operational Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reinforcement increases a behavior by removing an aversive stimulus?

Negative reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of vicarious reinforcement refer to?

Observing someone else being rewarded for a behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is one key characteristic that defines a psychological disorder?

Significant distress or impairment in functioning Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological approach focuses on the interplay between psychological factors and physical health?

Health Psychology Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of Industrial-Organizational Psychology?

Applying psychological principles to improve workplace productivity Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to AP Psychology

AP Psychology is a college-level course that examines the scientific study of the human mind and behavior.
It emphasizes critical thinking, analysis, and application of psychological principles to real-world situations.
Students learn various perspectives and approaches to understanding human experience.

Biological Bases of Behavior

Neurons: Specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals.
- Structure: Dendrites, cell body, axon, myelin sheath, terminal buttons.
- Function: Communication between neurons and muscles.
Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses.
- Examples: Dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, norepinephrine.
- Impact on behavior: Mood, learning, memory, motivation.
The Endocrine System: A network of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate bodily functions.
- Examples: Pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands.
- Impact on behavior: Stress response, growth, reproduction.
The Brain: Composed of various structures with specialized functions.
- Cerebrum (cortex, lobes): Higher-order functions, sensory and motor processing.
- Cerebellum: Coordination of movement and balance.
- Brainstem: Basic life functions (breathing, heartbeat).
- Hemispheric Specialization: Left and right hemispheres often process information differently.

Sensation and Perception

Sensation: The process of receiving and detecting stimuli from the environment.
- Sensory receptors: Specialized cells that detect different types of stimuli.
- Transduction: Converting physical energy into neural signals.
Perception: The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.
- Gestalt principles: How the brain organizes visual information into meaningful patterns.
- Depth perception: How we perceive distance and three-dimensional space.
- Perceptual constancies: Our ability to perceive objects as stable despite changes in sensory input.

States of Consciousness

Consciousness: Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.
- Sleep: Stages of sleep (NREM, REM) and their importance for physical and cognitive restoration.
- Dreams: Theories about the purpose and meaning of dreams.
- Altered states of consciousness: Drug use, meditation, hypnosis.

Learning

Classical Conditioning: Learning through association between two stimuli.
- Unconditioned stimulus (UCS), unconditioned response (UCR), conditioned stimulus (CS), conditioned response (CR).
- Acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, discrimination.
Operant Conditioning: Learning through consequences.
- Reinforcement (positive, negative), punishment.
- Schedules of reinforcement.
Observational Learning: Learning by observing and imitating others.
- Modeling, vicarious reinforcement.

Cognition

Memory: Encoding, storage, retrieval of information.
- Types of memory (sensory, short-term, long-term).
- Amnesia.
Thinking: Problem-solving, decision-making, creativity.
Intelligence: Defining and measuring intelligence, theories of intelligence (e.g., Spearman's g factor).

Motivation and Emotion

Motivation: Factors that energize, direct, and sustain behavior.
- Biological drives, psychological needs, social motivations.
Emotion: Feelings that involve physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience.
- Theories of emotion (James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, Schachter-Singer).
- Emotional regulation.

Development Across the Lifespan

Prenatal Development: Stages of development from conception to birth.
Childhood Development: Physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes from infancy to adolescence.
- Cognitive development (Piaget's stages).
- Moral development (Kohlberg's stages).
Adolescence: Physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes during puberty.
Adulthood: Physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes throughout adulthood.

Social cognition: How we think about ourselves and others in social situations.
Attitudes and Behaviors: Formation, change, and influence.
Social influence: Conformity, obedience, group behavior.
Interpersonal attraction and relationships: Factors influencing attraction, relationship maintenance.
Aggression and prosocial behavior: Factors contributing to aggression, altruism, bystander effect.

Abnormal Psychology

Psychological disorders: Defining and diagnosing mental illnesses.
- Diagnostic criteria.
- Classifications (DSM-5).
Causes of psychological disorders: Biological, psychological, and social factors.
Treatment for psychological disorders: Therapy modalities; medication.

Applied Psychology

Health Psychology: Interplay between psychological factors and physical health.
- Stress management, coping mechanisms, health behaviors.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Application of psychological principles to the workplace.
- Job satisfaction, motivation, leadership.
Sports Psychology: Application of psychological principles to athletic performance.
- Motivation, confidence, mental strategies.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of neurons, neurotransmitters, and the endocrine system in this AP Psychology quiz. Understand how these biological elements influence human behavior and experience through a scientific lens. Perfect for students preparing for their AP exam.