The 425 Terms You ‘Ought To Know For The AP Psychology Test On May 2
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Pituitary gland – the endocrine system’s most influential gland, under the influence of
the hypothalamus, this regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
EEG – an amplified recording of waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s
surface, these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the skull
PET – a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose
goes while the brain performs a certain task
MRI – a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a computer
generated image that distinguishes between the types of soft tissue in the brain
Medulla – connected to the base of the brain stem, controls our blood pressure, heart
rate, and breathing
Reticular Formation – screens incoming info, and filters out irrelevant info, controls
arousal and attention
Thalamus – the brains sensory switchboard
Pons – above the medulla, makes chemicals involved w/ sleep & facial expressions
Cerebellum – the little brain attached to the rear of the brain stem, controls
coordination, fire muscles movements and balance
Limbic System – associated with emotions like aggression and fear and drives such as
hunger and thirst and sex (Hippocampus, Hypothalamus, and Amygdala)
Amygdala – part of the limbic system that is involved in emotions, aggression, and fear
Hypothalamus – controls the metabolic functions of body temp, sex arousal, hunger,
thirst, motivation/emotions, and the endocrine system the 4 f’s
Hippocampus – part of the limbic system involved in learning and memory
Temporal Lobe – at side of brain above ears involved in memory, perception, hearing
Occipital Lobe – lower back part of brain involved with processing visual info vision
Peripheral Lobe – top of brain, discriminates between textures and shapes
Frontal Lobe – located under forehead, involved with complex cognitive functions
William Penfield – studied the effects of stimulation on the motor cortex
Phineas Gage – first lobotomy after a rod goes through his head; gives psych info on
part of brain involved w/ emotions and reasoning
Broca’s Area – directs muscle movements involved with speech
Wernicke’s Area – involved in language comprehension
Plasticity – brain’s ability to modify itself after some kind of injury/illness
Split Brain – corpus callosum cut, not allowing info to travel to other side of brain
Corpus Callosum – responsible for higher thinking function, connects two sides of brain
Left Hemi – logical, sequential tasks, solving math problems, verbal logical
Right Hemi – facial recognition, puzzle solver, emotional, artistic creative
Sensory Cortex – receives info from skin surface and sense organs
Motor Cortex – controls voluntary movements, on opposite side of body
Hindbrain – lower brain, located at rear base of skull, responsible for reflexive or
automatic behaviors
Forebrain – largest part of brain that controls what we think of as thoughts and reasons
Midbrain – located above Pons, integrates and relay sensory info to main part of brain