specialization + sensation

Plasticity

brains ability to recognize and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes.

ex: practicing and mastering instrument - brain undergoes plasticity

Split Brain Research

studies individuals who have undergone corpus callosotomy which disconnects two hemispheres of the brain

• done as treatment for epilepsy

Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

each brain hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body

Hemispheric Specialization

explored through split brain research

• each brain hemisphere has specialized functions and abilities

Linguistic Processing

complex cognitive processes involved in understanding and producing language

Broca’s Area

located on the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the frontal lobe

• specifically for speech production and language processing

Broca’s Aphasia

language disorder caused by damage to the Broca’s area

• often results from stroke or brain injury

• Difficulty producing fluent speech and forming grammatically correct sentences

Wernicke’s Area

region located in left hemisphere, specifically temporal lobe

• involved in language comprehension and understanding spoken and written language

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Language disorder caused by damage to Wernicke’s Area

• typically results from stroke or brain injury

• Fluent speech but difficulty understanding spoken word

• Speech is meaningless and nonsensical

Electroencephalogram “EEG”

non-invasive neuro-imaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain

• involved placing electrodes on scalp

• used to diagnose and monitor neurological conditions

• can detect brain activity during sleep stages

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging “fMRI”

neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels

• detailed images of brains structure and function

Lesioning

research technique used to study brain function by intentionally damaging or destroying specific areas of the brain in animals

Sensation

process by which out sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment

ex: sunny day - feel warmth on skin

Transduction

conversion of sensory stimuli into neural impulses that can be understood by the brain

• transformation of physical energy into electrochemical signals, enabling brain to interpret and perceive sensory information

Absolute Threshold

minimum amount of stimulation required for a stimulus to be detected by a sensory system

• point at which a stimulus becomes noticeable to an individual at least 50% of the time

ex: volume at which you first perceive music represents your absolute threshold for auditory sensation

Just-Noticeable Difference

smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected by an individual

• minimal difference needed for a person to perceive that a change has occurred

Weber’s Law

perceived difference in a stimulus must be proportional to the original intensity of the stimulus

• bigger something is the more you need to change it in order to notice a difference

Sensory Adaption

process by which sensory receptors become less responsive to constant stimuli over time

ex: first apply new perform, scent is strong - continue to wear, you gradually become less aware of scent

Synesthesia

condition in which stimulation of one sensory pathway lead to automatic involuntary experiences in another sensory pathway

• hear music - see colors