UNIT 1B: NEUROSCIENCE TERMS (phrenology-left v right hemispheres) - AP PSYCHOLOGY

phrenology

The study of bumps in the skull that could reveal a person's mental abilities and character traits.

biological psychology

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.

biopsychosocial approach

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

levels of analysis

The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.

neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

lesioning

Removal or tissue destruction of part of the brain.

EEG (electroencephalogram)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

CT (computed tomography)

A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain's structure.

PET (positron emission tomography)

Technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.

Functional MRI

A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as structure.

hindbrain

Consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; directs essential survival functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and wakefulness, as well as coordination and balance.

midbrain

Found atop the brainstem; connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, controls some motor movement, and transmits auditory and visual information.

forebrain

Consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus; manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities.

brainstem

The central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

medulla

The hindbrain structure that is the brainstem's base; controls heartbeat and breathing.

thalamus

The forebrain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

reticular formation

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus; it filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal.

cerebellum

The hindbrain's "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

limbic system

Neural system located mostly in the forebrain — below the cerebral hemispheres — that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary gland; associated with emotions and drives.

amygdala

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.

hypothalamus

A limbic system neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system, and is linked to emotion and reward.

hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit (conscious) memories — of facts and events — for storage.

cerebral cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the forebrain's cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

frontal lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead. They enable linguistic processing, muscle movements, higher-order thinking, and executive functioning (such as making plans and judgments).

prefrontal cortex

Part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language.

motor cortex

Area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

parietal lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; it receives sensory input for touch and body position.

somatosensory cortex

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

temporal lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; it includes the auditory areas, each of which receives information primarily from the opposite ear. They also enable language processing.

occipital lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; it includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

Ipsilateral connections

Nervous system connections between each hemisphere of the brain and the same side of the body.

Contralateral connections

Right side of cortex is connected to the left side of the body and vice versa.

association areas

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

Wernicke's area

A region of the brain located in the left temporal lobe that plays a crucial role in language comprehension and processing.

Broca's area

A region in the left frontal lobe of the brain that plays a crucial role in language production and processing.

angular gyrus

Translates writing into speech.

aphasia

Inability to understand or produce speech.

apraxia

Inability to plan and coordinate voluntary movements, particularly speech.

agnosia

Inability to recognize familiar objects.

alexia

Inability to read.

Phineas Gage

Railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behavior; case played a role in the development of the understanding of the localization of brain function.

neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons.

corpus callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

split brain

A condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them.

brain lateralization

Specialization of function in each hemisphere.

left v right hemispheres

Together, the two hemispheres control much of your behaviour. The left is relatively more specialized for speech and language; the right, for appreciation of 3D space and spatial relationships.