Biopsychology and Approaches in Psychology Key Term Glossary

This key term glossary covers key terms and concepts for Biopsychology and other Approaches in Psychology.

ACTH

Hormone released by the pituitary gland. Stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline into the bloodstream

Action potential

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

Adrenal glands

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

Adrenaline

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

Autonomic nervous system

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

Axon

A single long slender fiber that carries the nerve impulse away from the cell body

Axon terminal

The very end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters and makes synaptic contact with the next neuron in the chain

Behaviourism

The theory that human and animal behaviour can be explained in terms of conditioning, without considering thoughts or feelings

Central nervous system

Sub-system of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord

Chromosome

Hold the genetic material that is passed between parents and offspring. Humans have 23 pairs

Classical conditioning

Learning through association when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together

Cognitive neuroscience

An academic field that studies the influence of brain structures on mental processes using techniques such as brain scans

Computer models

Software simulations of internal mental processes that are created in collaboration with computer scientists.

Concordance rate

The extent to which both twins share the same characteristic

Dendrites

Root like structures protruding from the cell body that receive signals from other neurons

DZ twins

Non-identical twins who share 50% of their genes

Empirical

Based on scientific testing or personal experience rather than theory or logic

Endocrine system

A collection of organs that secrete hormones into the blood stream

Evolution

Gradual changes in an inherited characteristic of a species over many generations

Excitation

Occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse makes the receptor site’s cell more likely to act

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

Genotype

A person's unique genetic make-up that is coded in their chromosomes and fixed at conception

Hormones

Biochemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream in order to target specific organs

Hypothalamus

Part of the brain that links the nervous system to the endocrine system. Releases hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland

Identification

Associating with a role model's and adopting their behaviour because you want to be like them

Imitation

Copying or reproducing behaviour that has been learned through observation

Inference

Process of drawing conclusions about general patterns of behaviour

Information processing model

The idea that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages

Inhibition

occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse makes the receptor site’s cell less likely to act.

Internal mental processes

The operations both conscious and unconscious that occur during thinking. For example, perception and memory

Introspection

Observing and examining your own conscious thoughts and emotions

Learning

A relatively lasting change in behavior that is the result of experience

Mediating cognitive factors

Internal mental processes that lie between the stimulus and the response

Modelling

Imitating a role model or producing a specific behaviour that may then be imitated by the observer

Motor neuron

Carries signals from the central nervous system to internal organs and muscles

Myelin sheath

A fatty layer that protects the exon and speeds up the electrical transmission of the nerve impulse

MZ twins

Identical twins who share 100% of their genes

Natural selection

The way that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances the ability to survive and reproduce will continue in future generations

Negative reinforcement

Avoiding or removing something unpleasant when a behaviour is performed that increases the chance tha the behaviour is repeated

Nervous system

Bodily system consisting of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system that provides rapid responses to stimuli

Neuron

Cells within the nervous system that process and transmit messages

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transfer signals from one neuron to another across the synapses that lie between them

Objective

Not influenced by private emotions, perceptions, or biases

Operant conditioning

Learning through reinforcement where behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences

Parasympathetic nervous system

Sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that controls the 'rest and digest' response

Peripheral nervous system

Sub-system of the nervous system that transmits messages from the body to the central nervous system and back again

Phenotype

The expression of a person's genetic make-up that can be influenced by the environment

Pituitary gland

The 'master gland' of the endocrine system which is located in the brain and controls the release of hormones from other glands

Positive reinforcement

Receiving something pleasant when a behaviour is performed that increases the chance the behaviour is repeated

Postsynaptic Receptor sites

In the dendrites of the receiving neuron, they take up the neurotransmitter once it has crossed the synaptic gap

Punishment

Receiving something unpleasant when a behaviour is performed which decreases the chance the behaviour is repeated

Reciprocal determinism

The way a person is influenced by their environment but also influences their environment

Relay neuron

Carries signals between sensory and motor neurons or connect to other relay neurons within the central nervous system

Response

The reaction to a specific stimulus e.g. salivating when you see food

Schemas

Mental frameworks of information that we use to organise past experience and to interpret and respond to new situations.

Sensory neuron

Carries signals from the senses to the central nervous system

Social learning theory

The view that people learn through observing others

Somatic nervous system

Sub-division of the peripheral nervous system that controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors

Stimulus

Anything in the environment detectable by the senses e.g. sound, smell

Structuralism

Using the experiment method to find the building blocks of thought

Subjective

Affected by personal feelings, prejudices and interpretations

Sympathetic nervous system

Sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that controls the 'fight or flight' response

Synapse

The tiny gap between one neuron and the next

Synaptic transmission

The way that signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synaptic gap

Theoretical models

Diagrammatic representations of the steps involved in internal mental processes, e.g. the information-processing model.

Twin study

Used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates between pairs of twins

Vicarious reinforcement

Observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour and the consequences of their actions