Key Concepts in Neuroscience and Research Methodology

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to neuroscience and research methodology, suitable for exam preparation.

Causal relationship

A relationship where one event causes another; in research, establishing a causal relationship can be challenging.

Placebo effect

The phenomenon in which patients experience improvements in their condition simply because they believe they are receiving treatment.

Blind experiment

An experiment where the participant is unaware of which treatment or control condition they are assigned to.

Independent variable (IV)

The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher.

Dependent variable (DV)

The variable that is measured or observed in an experiment, which is affected by changes in the independent variable.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord that includes sensory and motor neurons.

Sensory neurons

Nerve cells that carry information from sensory organs to the central nervous system.

Motor neurons

Nerve cells that transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles to facilitate movement.

Proprioception

The sense that allows us to perceive the position of our body parts in space.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes rest and relaxation, often called the 'rest and digest' system.

Sympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations, often referred to as 'fight or flight'.

Thalamus

A brain structure that acts as a relay station for sensory information and is involved in consciousness and sleep.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in emotion regulation, particularly fear and aggression.

Hippocampus

A brain region critical for memory formation and spatial navigation.

Cerebellum

The brain structure that coordinates voluntary movements and is involved in motor learning.

Prefrontal cortex

The brain region responsible for higher-level executive functions such as decision-making, reasoning, and impulse control.

Limbic system

A complex system of nerves and networks in the brain associated with instinct and mood, controlling basic emotions and drives.