Psychology 101 Exam 1 Chapters 1,2,4

Alcohol is classified as a depressant because it slows down the central nervous system, resulting in decreased brain activity and a general sedative effect. It can cause relaxation, drowsiness, impaired coordination, and slowed reaction times. This classification is based on the physiological effects of alcohol on the body, which are opposite to those of stimulant drugs that increase brain activity.

THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the active ingredient in marijuana. It is a psychoactive compound that binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, leading to various effects such as euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception. THC is responsible for the "high" experienced when marijuana is consumed, and it also has potential therapeutic uses for medical conditions such as chronic pain, nausea, and muscle spasms.

Heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol, and nicotine increase levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the brain's reward and pleasure pathways. When these addictive drugs are consumed, they stimulate the release of dopamine, leading to feelings of euphoria and reinforcing the desire to continue using the drug. This increase in dopamine levels can create a powerful addiction and contribute to the harmful effects of these substances on the brain and body.

The correct answer is "Describe, explain, predict, influence or change behavior." These four goals summarize the main objectives of psychology. Describing involves identifying and categorizing behaviors or mental processes. Explaining aims to understand the causes or reasons behind these behaviors. Predicting involves using gathered information to anticipate future behaviors or outcomes. Lastly, influencing or changing behavior refers to using psychological knowledge to modify or shape behaviors in a desired way.

LSD can produce psychotic reactions, especially in people who are psychologically unstable. This means that individuals who already have mental health issues or are emotionally vulnerable are more likely to experience severe psychological symptoms when taking LSD. These reactions can include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and other symptoms associated with psychosis. It is important to note that LSD can affect individuals differently, and these reactions may not occur in everyone who uses the drug. However, it is a potential risk, particularly for those with pre-existing psychological instability.

Cocaine is derived from the coca plant. The coca plant is native to South America and contains alkaloids, including cocaine. The leaves of the coca plant are processed to extract cocaine, which is a powerful stimulant drug.

When scientists talk about the nature/nurture issue, they know that inborn characteristics refer to "nature" and environmental influence refers to "nurture". This means that nature refers to the genetic and biological factors that contribute to an individual's traits and behavior, while nurture refers to the environmental factors and experiences that shape and influence an individual's development.

Caffeine is considered the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world because it has stimulating effects on the central nervous system. It acts by promoting the release of adenosine in the brain's prefrontal cortex, which leads to increased alertness and wakefulness. This explanation highlights caffeine's psychoactive properties and its widespread use among individuals.

REM sleep and NREM stage 2 sleep seem to help in consolidating memories, particularly new procedural memories. This means that during these stages of sleep, the brain is actively involved in solidifying and strengthening the memories related to learning new skills or tasks. This research suggests that getting enough REM sleep and NREM stage 2 sleep is important for memory formation and retention.

At higher levels of physical dependence on alcohol, withdrawal symptoms can become severe and include confusion, hallucinations, and severe tremors or seizures. These symptoms are collectively known as delirium tremens or DTs.

Moderate or heavy use of MDMA (ecstasy) can lead to irreversible damage to the brain's serotonin system. MDMA primarily affects the release and reuptake of serotonin in the brain, leading to an increase in serotonin levels. However, prolonged and excessive use of MDMA can deplete the brain's serotonin levels and damage the serotonin neurons. This can result in long-term changes in mood, memory, and cognitive function, as serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating these processes.