PSYC 3406 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Adrenal Gland, Operant Conditioning, Cortisol

• School: Northeastern University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3406
• Professor: Dawn Cisewski

Document Summary

Abnormal behavior viewed from perspective that it results from multiple influences. Focuses on: behavioral influences (learned or conditioned, biological influences. Neurochemical, anatomical, genetic, evolutionary: emotional influences, social influences, developmental influences. Use neurotransmitters, which are released into the synaptic cleft. Neurons that are sensitive to one type of neurotransmitter cluster together and form pathways to and from various parts of the brain. Currently, believe there are over 100 different neurotransmitters. Agonists: increase activity of neurotransmitter by mimicking its effects. Reuptake: neurotransmitter is quickly drawn back from the synaptic cleft into the pre- synaptic neuron. 2 groups of receptors: alpha- adrenergic and beta- adrenergic. Low levels associated with depression and eating disorders. Serotonin and dopamine circuits cross each other and have complementary functions. Limbic system emotional processing and memory: amygdala. Regulates body temp. , conc. of fluids in blood, reproductive processes, and emotional/motivational states: basal ganglia. Adrenal glands produce epinephrine in response to stress.