My PSY 200 padlet project by

NEUROTRANSMITTERS

royamuradova1998 — 2025-04-29 17:51:16 UTC

Description:
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in our brain that help send messages between nerve cells. They affect a lot of things like how we feel, how we sleep, how motivated we are, and even how we move. Each neurotransmitter has a different role — for example, serotonin is linked to mood, and dopamine is linked to motivation and reward.

My Example:
I’ve always wondered why I feel so emotionally drained during stressful weeks, even when nothing dramatic happens. After learning about serotonin, I started to realize that it's not just stress or being tired — my brain is literally reacting to it. Like during midterms, I felt so low even though I was sleeping enough. Now I understand that constant stress can lower serotonin, which makes it harder to stay calm or happy. Learning this helped me take my mental health more seriously, and it also made me feel better knowing there’s a real reason behind the way I feel sometimes — it’s not just “in my head.”

Name: Roya Muradova

SLEEP STAGES

royamuradova1998 — 2025-04-29 17:55:39 UTC

Description:
Sleep isn't just one simple state — it's made up of different stages, like light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Each stage has its own role, like helping us recover physically, store memories, or regulate emotions. We move through these stages in cycles every night.

My Example:
I used to feel confused when I got a full 8 or 9 hours of sleep and still woke up feeling tired and heavy. I thought maybe I just needed more sleep, but after learning about sleep stages, I realized that timing matters more than I knew. If I wake up during a REM stage or deep sleep, I feel groggy, even with enough hours. Now I try to sleep and wake up at regular times, and it actually helps. I also noticed that on days I get good sleep, I remember things better and feel more focused — which shows me how important these sleep cycles really are.

Name: Roya Muradova

OPERANT CONDITIONING

royamuradova1998 — 2025-04-29 18:03:41 UTC

Description:
Operant conditioning is a way we learn through consequences. If we do something and get a reward, we’re more likely to do it again. If something leads to punishment or discomfort, we tend to avoid it. This concept is used a lot in parenting, schools, and even in how we train ourselves.

My Example:
I didn’t realize I was doing this until we talked about it in class, but I actually trained myself to build a study habit using rewards. I used to procrastinate a lot, so I started making deals with myself — like “if I finish this homework before 6, I’ll let myself watch a show or grab a treat.” That little reward gave me something to look forward to, and it helped me stop seeing homework as such a boring task. Over time, I started getting things done faster without feeling overwhelmed. Now I use this method for other habits too, like going to the gym or cleaning my room. It really works!

Name: Roya Muradova

SHORT-TERM MEMORY

royamuradova1998 — 2025-04-29 18:06:15 UTC

Description:
Short-term memory is where we temporarily store small amounts of information — like a phone number, someone’s name, or a code we just saw. Unless we rehearse or repeat that info, it usually fades away in a few seconds or minutes. It's limited and fragile, but we rely on it all the time.

My Example:
This honestly happens to me all the time. Someone tells me their phone number or a room number, and if I don’t write it down or say it out loud, I forget it almost instantly. I used to think something was wrong with me, but now I know that short-term memory is just limited by nature. Learning this actually made me feel better. I even started using little tricks like repeating things in my head or typing notes in my phone so I don’t lose them. It made me realize how fast our brains move and how easily we can forget things if we don’t take action right away.

Name: Roya Muradova

EMOTION AND MOTIVATION

royamuradova1998 — 2025-04-29 18:19:05 UTC

Description:
Emotions and motivation are closely connected. How we feel can push us to act or make us shut down. For example, feeling excited or hopeful might give us energy to start a task, while feeling anxious or sad can make it hard to even begin. Understanding this connection helps us manage how we respond to different situations.

My Example:
This topic felt really personal. There were times when I had so much to do — school, work, chores — and I just couldn’t bring myself to do anything. I felt unmotivated and guilty, and I didn’t really understand why. After learning about how emotions influence motivation, I realized it wasn’t because I was lazy. I was just emotionally exhausted. On the other hand, when I’m in a good mood — like after hanging out with friends or having a good day — I feel more motivated to take care of everything. That’s when I understood how much emotions drive our actions. Now I try to manage my mood before tackling big tasks, like taking a short walk or listening to music first. It really helps me stay on track.

Name: Roya Muradova