Biological Psychology

Ch. 1-2

Effect Size

required measurement of how much data actually mattered

Is randomization possible in a quasi experiment?

No

Experimental Bias

unintentional bias by experimenter for certain result

Volunteer bias

participants who partake in experiment for no benefit

Demand Characteristic

people curious abt study try to help results by acting in ways they think align with the study's purpose.

Inter-rater reliability

having 2 observers in a naturalistic observation’s results close (.8)

Reductionist Models

Epigenetics

Evolutionary

Holistic

Epigenetic

• Genotype: body’s instruction manual

• Phenotype: what we end up looking like

have approx. 25,000 genes

amino acid has switches that turn genes “on” and “off”

Evolutionary

species adaptation

Holistic Approach

Nothing exists in isolation

Nervous and Endocrine System work together

Neuron Structure

Dendrite- allows it to receive info

Soma- central

Axon- send info to next neuron

Myelin- white fatty substance covering Axon & getting info there faster

Glial- makes Myelin / continues through life

Resting Potential

when neuron’s resting

Action Potential

neuron’s active

Neuron Refractory Period

short time period right after action potential

Synaps

space between “a” and “b”

3 Main Types of Neurons

• Interneurons- communicate w/ each other & the largest division of neurons

• Sensory- what you see / hear

• Motoneuron- action that happens w/ info from sensory neuron

Study the brain

Case study, Neuroimaging, MRI, PET & CAT Scan

3 Regions of the Brain

Hindbrain, Midbrain, Forebrain

Hindbrain

• Medulla- controls automatic functions, damage is fatal

• Pons- crosses info left to right

• Cerebellum- linked to motor movement, cognitive tasks & decision making

Midbrain

• Reticular Activating System- keep us awake & alert

• Substantia Nigra- dopamine receptors & important for bodily movement

Forebrain

contains Cortex and Limbic System

Limbic System

• Thalamus- sensory info passing through

• Hypothalamus- drinking, eating, sex, temp control, immune system

• Hippocampus- learning and memory

• Amygdala- (info center) of fear and emotion

Arteries

• Vertebral- blood to back of brain

• Internal- “ “ front

Cortex

80% of brain covered in bumps (gyri) and grooves (sulci)

Lobes

• Occipital- visual

• Parietal- able to recognize surroundings bc of it

  • somatosensory cortex: process pain & tactile info

• Temporal- auditory, understand languages, balance, facial recognition

• Frontal- fine motor skills

  • prefrontal: fully develops in 20s / decision making & consequence understanding

Contralateral

2 hemispheres of the cortex control the opposite sides of each other and are connected via corpus callosum

Right Hemisphere

spatial awareness, visual processing, creativity, emotions

Left Hemisphere

writing / speaking, analytical skills, logical thinking

Neuroplasticity

• brain changes chape often

• ONLY makes more neurons in Hippocampus (memories)

• dendrites can be developed via exercise and education

Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)

feel pain in amputated part due to sensorimotor cortex rearranging itself & causing neighboring body parts to move into inactive region and give sensation of pain