Studied by 1 person
Localization of Function
The theory that specific parts of the brain are responsible for certain behaviors and cognitive processes
Distributive Processing
The theory that several parts of the brain work together to create and retrieve memories
Connectome
A map of neural connections in the brain
Brain Stem
Regulates life functions (breathing, heart rate, blood pressure)
Why is the brain stem not usually studied in psychology?
The brain stem is known to regulate biological processes rather than behavioral processes, so it is not often studied in psych.
Cerebellum
Controls balance, motor functions, speech, and learning through classically trained responses
Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain associated with high brain functions (thought, action)
Cerebral Cortex
The gray matter that covers the cerebrum
What are the 4 lobes that scientists have “split” the cerebrum into?
Frontal, occipital, parietal, temporal
Frontal Lobes
Responsible for executive functions like planning, decisions, arguments
Motor Cortex
Responsible for planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movement (sports, dance)
Somatosensory Cortex
Receives information from our movement and what we are sensing (taste, temperature)
Parietal Lobes
Responsible for the perception of stimuli (taste, temperature, all senses) as well as supporting reading and arithmetic
Occipital Lobes
Responsible for processing images from the eyes and linking them to memories
Temporal Lobes
Top part receives information from ears and underside plays a large part in forming and receiving memories (especially involved with music). Also integrates memories with our senses.
What is the Limbic system? Which brain parts are part of it?
“The emotional brain” that is often researched in psych, which includes the amygdala, basal ganglia, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and nucleus accumbens.
Amygdala
Involved in the formation of traumatic/emotional memories and fear responses
Basal Ganglia
Involved in habit-forming and procedural memory as it relates to motor control
Hippocampus
Responsible for the transfer of memories from short-term to long-term
Hypothalamus
Involved in homeostasis, pituitary gland (hormones), emotion, thirst, hunger, circadian rhythms, and control of the automatic nervous system - essentially, automatic “warnings” necessary to preserve our health
Nucleus Accumbens
Involved in motivation and addiction
Plasticity
The brain’s ability to alter its own structure following changes within the body or external environment; the rearrangement of neuron connections
Dendritic Branching
The process of neuron dendrites increasing in number and connecting to other neurons when we learn new information, creating new traces in the brain
What are the two types of localization and their definitions?
Strict Localization: Clear correspondence between a function and a brain area
Weak Localization: Brain area may be responsible for the function, but not exclusively
Widely Distributed Function
A function that multiple parts throughout the brain are responsible for
