brain and neuropsychology

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

The Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

What is the function of the Central Nervous System?

The CNS coordinates incoming information and makes decisions about movement and other activities. It consists of the brain and spinal cord.

What are the two components of the Peripheral Nervous System?

The Somatic Nervous System (SNS) and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

What is the difference between the SNS and ANS?

The SNS uses myelinated nerves for fast transmission of sensory and motor information, while the ANS uses unmyelinated nerves for slower transmission related to internal organ function and emotional responses.

What are the two divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?

The sympathetic division (activates arousal) and the parasympathetic division (allows energy storage when not under threat)

What physical changes occur during the fight or flight response?

Deeper breathing, increased heart rate, dilated pupils, increased sweating, quick sugar metabolism, blood thickening, release of endorphins, release of adrenaline.

What is the James-Lange Theory of Emotion?

The theory suggests that emotions are the result of interpreting physical changes in the body rather than physical changes being caused by emotions. As James said: 'We do not weep because we feel sorry; we feel sorry because we weep.'

What are the three types of neurons?

1. Motor neurons (movement) 2. Sensory neurons (carry sensory information) 3. Relay neurons (pass messages within CNS)

What is synaptic transmission?

The process where neurons pass messages to other neurons or muscles by releasing neurotransmitters into tiny gaps (synapses) between dendrites.

What is Hebb's Theory of Learning?

When neurons repeatedly excite each other, neuronal growth occurs and synaptic knobs become larger, forming stronger neural pathways ('cell assemblies').

What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and their functions?

1. Frontal lobe: thought, memory, problem-solving, planning, movement 2. Parietal lobe: sensory integration, language, spatial awareness 3. Temporal lobe: hearing, speech, language comprehension, emotions 4. Occipital lobe: visual processing

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Controls balance and coordination, making movements smoother and more automatic with practice.

What are the main language areas in the brain?

Broca's area: speech production, Wernicke's area: speech understanding, Angular gyrus: written language processing.

What are the three main types of brain scans?

1. CT scans (X-ray slices) 2. PET scans (radioactive tracers) 3. fMRI scans (magnetic fields)

What is unique about fMRI scans?

They can show brain activity in real-time, take only 2 seconds for a complete scan, and don't use harmful radiation or radioactive substances.

What was the key finding of Tulving's 'Gold' Memory Study?

Different types of memory (semantic vs episodic) activate different parts of the brain - episodic memories activate frontal and temporal lobes, while semantic memories activate parietal and occipital lobes.