1.4a The Brain: Neuroplasticity and Tools of Discovery

biological psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes

biopsychosocial approach

uses biological + psychological + social-cultural levels of analysis

bio: genetics, natural selection, genes responding to environment, hormones/neurotransmitters

psycho: learned, emotional responses, cognitive processes

social: societal/cultural/family expectations, peer/group influence, media

neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

lesion

tissue destruction _{^{(from natural, surgery, or experiment)}}

EEG (electroencephalogram)

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface measured by electrodes placed on the scalp (F)

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

a brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity (F)

CT (computed tomography) scan

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure (S)

PET (positron emission tomography)

a technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task (F)

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue (S) - show brain anatomy

fMRI (functional MRI)

a technique for revealing blood flow, and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. (F) - show brain function & structure

Structure vs. function tools

Structure: CT, MRI

Function: EEG, MEG, PET, fMRI _{^{(the rest) *fMRI technically both}}