Brain Basics

What does Biological Psychology mean?

Biological Psychology (also known as Behavioral Neuroscience) is a study that helps to better understand the behavior, emotions, thoughts and consciousness of a person.

How is the structure of the brain?

Our brain is composed of the hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain. While in the hindbrain there's the cerebellum, pons and medulla, in the forebrain we can find the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

What is the function of each part of the hindbrain?

The cerebellum coordinates movement, the pons control attentiveness and the timing of sleep and the medulla is in charge of our breathing, heart rate, blood circulation and balance.

What is the function of the midbrain?

In addition to help with orientation, the midbrain can also help to regulate the experience of pain, mood and motivation.

What is the function of each part of the forebrain?

Besides being present in our sleep and wakefulness, the thalamus also passes sensory signals to the cortex. The hypothalamus controls our motivated behaviors. The amygdala works in emotional responses, especially when we are in danger. The hippocampus helps with learning, memory, spatial orientation and creating memories. And finally, the cerebral cortex is involved in our thoughts and perception, so it has an important role when we have to organize or remember.

What is reticular formation?

It is a group of nerves that form part of the autonomic functions of our bodies. Some of these are circulation, respiration, digestion, pain modulation and sleep.

What are the Neurons?

Neurons are cells located in the brain and spinal cord. They can vary from different shapes and sizes and have the mission of sending and receiving information. These are formed by the dendrites, cell body and axon

What is the function of each part of a neuron?

The dendrites receive signals from other neurons, the cell body contains crucial elements for the functionality of these cells and the axon sends neural impulses to other neurons.

What does brain lateralization mean?

This concept refers to the idea that the right and left hemispheres of our brain develop different functions and skills.

What are the brain's hemispheres functions according to the brain lateralization?

While our left side is more logical, our right side is creative. The left side concentrates in language and calculation and the right side develops spatial reasoning skills.

Can our emotions be inferred by facial movements?

No, expression of emotions is complex because of being expressed in a variety of ways. Our brain relies on different factors such as body posture, voice and context

What contradicts James-Lange theory?

Based on studies, it was proven that physiological responses are not really connected to emotions so the emotional experience cannot exist just because of having biological effects such as tremors or sweaty hands. Feeling symptoms don't mean that we can feel the emotions.

What does Lisa Feldman Barrett say about emotions?

According to Lisa Feldman, emotions can be a combination of physical properties of the body, flexible brain and culture and upbringing.