Psychology Module 6: Studying the Brain

Case Study

This research technique studies one person in depth in the hope of revealing universal principals. Example: The Phineas Gage incident where Phineas was impaled through the head and we learned about the relation between personality and the functions of the front of the brain.

Computed Axial Tomography CT or CAT

X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by a computer into a composite representation of a slice of the body. Reveals the brains structure.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI

Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among substances. For looking at detailed structure.

Function Magnetic Resonance Imaging FMRI

An MRI but also can look at the function of a body part. Usually when they put an IV in your arm they are giving you an injections that identify function.

Electroencephalogram EEG

Records the waves of electrical activity on the brain’s surface. Measured by electrodes placed on the head. They evaluate brain function.

Positron Emmission Tomography PET

Shows brain function and brain activilty. Injection of radioactive glucose.

Brainstem

oldest part of the brain. Begins where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull. Responsible for automatic survival functions.

Medulla

located at the base of the brainstem, it controls basic life-support functions like heartbeat and breathing

Reticular Formation

nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling wakefulness, alertness, and arousal

Thalamus

brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex

Cerebellum

the “little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem; it helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance

Limbic System

helps regulate important functions such as memory, fear, aggression, hunger, and thirst

Hypothalamus

Limbic System. helps regulate many of the body’s maintenance activities, such as eating, drinking, and body temperature, and is linked to emotion.

Hippocampus

Limbic System. helps process new memories for permanent storage

Amygdala

Limbic System. controls emotional responses, such as fear and anger

Cerebral Cortex

interconnected neurons that form the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center

Longitudinal Fissure

long crevice that divides the cerebral cortex into the left and right hemispheres

Corpus Callosum

neural tissue that connects the two brain hemispheres and allows them to communicate with each other

Frontal Lobes

Cerebral Cortex. just behind the forehead that is involved in planning and judgment; it includes the motor cortex

Parietal Lobes

Cerebral Cortex. lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; it includes the somatosensory cortex and general association areas used for processing information

Occipital Lobes

Cerebral Cortex. lying at the back of the head; it includes the primary visual processing area of the brain

Temporal Lobes

Cerebral Cortex. lying roughly above the ears; it includes the auditory (hearing) areas of the brain

Motor Cortex

strip of brain tissue at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Somatosensory Cortex

strip of brain tissue at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations

Plasticity

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood by reorganizing after damage or experience

Right Hemisphere

Houses the brain’s spatial abilities Our spatial ability allows us to perceive or organize things in a given space, judge distances, etc. Helps in making connections between words

Broca’s Area

brain area of the left frontal lobe that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

Wernicke’s Area

brain area of the left temporal lobe involved in language comprehension and expression

Left Hemisphere

For most people, language functions are in the left hemisphere