Areas within Psychology
The study of how biology influences behavior
Biopsychology
Serves as a basis for comparison and controls for chance factors that might influence results of a study
Control group
This is comprised of the brain and spinal cord
Central nervous system (CNS)
Biological rhythm that occurs over approximately 24 hours
Circadian rhythm
Changes in normal bodily functions that cause withdrawal symptoms upon ceasing substance use
Physical dependence
Study of thoughts and their relationship to experiences and actions
Cognitive psychology
Purposely misleading study participants in order to maintain integrity of an experiment
Deception
Connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs, and senses in the periphery of the body
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Awareness of internal and external stimuli
Consciousness
Emotional, rather than physical, need for a substance which may be used to relieve psychological distress
Psychological dependence
Scientific study of development across a lifespan
Developmental psychology
Group designed to answer the research question; only this group is manipulated/receives intervention so that the effects of the intervention can be measured
Experimental group
Chemical messenger of the nervous system
Neurotransmitter
Consistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep for at least three nights a week over a month's time
Insomnia
Drug that tends to increase overall levels of neural activity; includes caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine
Stimulant
Study of patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique
Personality psychology
A testable prediction
Hypothesis
Cell body
Soma
A group of sleep disorders characterized by unwanted, disruptive motor activity and/or experiences during sleep
Parasomnias
State of requiring increasing quantities of a substance to gain desired effect
Tolerance
Perspective that says that biology, psychology, and social factors interact to determine an individual's health
Biopsychosocial model
Variable that is influenced or controlled by the experimenter; in a sound experimental study, this is the only important difference between the experimental and control group
Independent variable
Small gap between two neurons where communication occurs
Synaptic cleft
Periods of sleep outside periods of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
Non-REM (NREM)
Variety of negative symptoms experienced when substance use is discontinued
Withdrawal