Psychology and Neuroscience Key Concepts

A comprehensive review of psychology and neuroscience concepts, focusing on key brain structures, functions, and their impact on behavior and mental health.

What is the primary function of the prefrontal cortex?

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for social cognition, emotional regulation, personality, attention, and focus.

What role does the medial prefrontal cortex play in our behavior?

It helps us understand our mental state, manage stress and fear, and is involved in motivation, mood, and self-reflection.

What are the four primary functions regulated by the hypothalamus?

The hypothalamus regulates the four F's: fleeing, feeding, fighting, and mating.

What is the function of the limbic system?

The limbic system regulates emotions, behavior, memory, and motivation, serving as the emotional center of the brain.

How does the dorsal striatum influence behavior?

The dorsal striatum is crucial for motor control and habit formation, influencing decision-making and action selection.

What is the nucleus accumbens known for?

The nucleus accumbens is a key part of the brain's reward system, involved in motivation, pleasure, and reinforcement.

Why is dopamine significant in the context of behavior?

Dopamine increases enjoyment and is involved in reinforcing behaviors that lead to pleasure or reward.

What does cortisol regulate in the body?

Cortisol regulates the body's response to stress and affects how the body uses glucose for energy.

What is the difference between white matter and gray matter in the brain?

White matter consists of myelinated axons that facilitate communication, while gray matter contains unmyelinated axons and neuronal cell bodies that process information.

What is the primary purpose of cerebral spinal fluid?

Cerebral spinal fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord, providing protection and transportation of nutrients.

What is the significance of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)?

The ACC is involved in decision-making, emotional regulation, and conflict monitoring.

Define chronic stress and its potential effects on health.

Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, immune system impairment, and various physiological problems.

What is cognitive reappraisal?

Cognitive reappraisal is a strategy that involves changing one's interpretation of a stressful event to reduce its emotional impact.

Describe the concept of 'habits' as explained in the cue-routine-reward model.

Habits are formed through a neurological process of cue (trigger), routine (behavior), and reward (positive outcome) that reinforces the behavior.

What does the Yerkes-Dodson Law explain about arousal and performance?

The Yerkes-Dodson Law states that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance; too little or too much can negatively impact effectiveness.

What is the role of mindfulness in stress management?

Mindfulness involves being present and aware without judgment, which can help decrease stress and improve emotional regulation.

What is the primary function of the prefrontal cortex?

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for social cognition, emotional regulation, personality, attention, and focus.

What role does the medial prefrontal cortex play in our behavior?

It helps us understand our mental state, manage stress and fear, and is involved in motivation, mood, and self-reflection.

What are the four primary functions regulated by the hypothalamus?

The hypothalamus regulates the four F's: fleeing, feeding, fighting, and mating.

What is the function of the limbic system?

The limbic system regulates emotions, behavior, memory, and motivation, serving as the emotional center of the brain.

How does the dorsal striatum influence behavior?

The dorsal striatum is crucial for motor control and habit formation, influencing decision-making and action selection.

What is the nucleus accumbens known for?

The nucleus accumbens is a key part of the brain's reward system, involved in motivation, pleasure, and reinforcement.

Why is dopamine significant in the context of behavior?

Dopamine increases enjoyment and is involved in reinforcing behaviors that lead to pleasure or reward.

What does cortisol regulate in the body?

Cortisol regulates the body's response to stress and affects how the body uses glucose for energy.

What is the difference between white matter and gray matter in the brain?

White matter consists of myelinated axons that facilitate communication, while gray matter contains unmyelinated axons and neuronal cell bodies that process information.

What is the primary purpose of cerebral spinal fluid?

Cerebral spinal fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord, providing protection and transportation of nutrients.

What is the significance of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)?

The ACC is involved in decision-making, emotional regulation, and conflict monitoring.

Define chronic stress and its potential effects on health.

Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, immune system impairment, and various physiological problems.

What is cognitive reappraisal?

Cognitive reappraisal is a strategy that involves changing one's interpretation of a stressful event to reduce its emotional impact.

Describe the concept of 'habits' as explained in the cue-routine-reward model.

Habits are formed through a neurological process of cue (trigger), routine (behavior), and reward (positive outcome) that reinforces the behavior.

What does the Yerkes-Dodson Law explain about arousal and performance?

The Yerkes-Dodson Law states that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance; too little or too much can negatively impact effectiveness.

What is the role of mindfulness in stress management?

Mindfulness involves being present and aware without judgment, which can help decrease stress and improve emotional regulation.

What do the 'four F's' regulated by the hypothalamus stand for?

The 'four F's' regulated by the hypothalamus are fleeing, feeding, fighting, and mating.

What key processes does the limbic system regulate as the emotional center of the brain?

The limbic system regulates emotions, behavior, memory, and motivation.

Describe the composition and function of white matter in the brain.

White matter consists of myelinated axons that facilitate communication.

Describe the composition and function of gray matter in the brain.

Gray matter contains unmyelinated axons and neuronal cell bodies that process information.

According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, how do extreme levels of arousal affect performance?

What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Its primary purpose involves the body's stress response, metabolism regulation, inflammation reduction, and immune system modulation.

What is the Hypothalamus?

The Hypothalamus is a small region of the brain located at the base of

What is the Amygdala?

The Amygdala is an almond-shaped structure located in the temporal lobe of the brain. It plays a key role in processing emotions, especially fear and anxiety, and is involved in memory formation associated with emotional events.

What is the Hippocampus?

The Hippocampus is a brain structure located in the medial temporal lobe, playing a crucial role in the formation of new memories (especially declarative and spatial memories) and is involved in learning and emotion.

What is Norepinephrine?

Norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) is a neurotransmitter and a hormone, primarily involved in the body's 'fight-or-flight' response. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness, playing a role in attention, focus, and stress regulation.

What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory. It is often associated with feelings of well-being and happiness.

What are Endorphins?

Endorphins are natural opioid peptides produced by the body, primarily in the brain and pituitary gland. They function as neurotransmitters, reducing pain and producing a sense of euphoria or well-being, often released during exercise, excitement, pain, or stress.

What are Endocannabinoids?

Endocannabinoids are cannabinoid-like chemicals naturally produced by the body. They are a key part of the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate various physiological processes including mood, appetite, sleep, pain sensation, and immune function, aiming to maintain homeostasis.

What is Glutamate?

Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It plays a critical role in learning, memory, and brain development by facilitating communication between neurons. Overactivity of glutamate, however, can be neurotoxic.

What is GABA?

GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Its main function is to reduce neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in reducing anxiety, promoting relaxation, and regulating sleep.

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone primarily produced by the pineal gland in the brain. It plays a crucial role in regulating the body's sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythm) in response to darkness, helping to induce sleep and influence seasonal functions.

What does "Experimental" mean in a scientific context?

In a scientific context, 'experimental' refers to a method of investigation where variables are manipulated and controlled to observe their effects, typically to test a hypothesis or determine cause-and-effect relationships. It involves designing and conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results.

What does "Experimental" mean in a scientific context?

In a scientific context, 'experimental' refers to a method of investigation where variables are manipulated and controlled to observe their effects, typically to test a hypothesis or determine cause-and-effect relationships. It involves designing and conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results.