Psychology 255 -Lecture 1

what is the theory introduced by mentalism?

A person’s mind is responsible for their behavior, would suggest that that the mind is independent if the body and works through the heart

cardio centric hypothesis

the brain was not thought to be important to behavior, the heart was central

what is the theory introduced by dualism?

the mind and body are separate, but interact to create behavior

Mind body problem

how can the mind affect the body, but not the other way around?

What is the theory introduced by materialism?

the nervous system can explain rational behavior (supported by the evolutionary theory)

What are the two major halves of the cerebrum?

The right and left hemispheres

Nerve nets

a simple nervous system, a net with no center system (decentralized) to send information to but rather contains neurons connected in ways that allow them to relay information

bilateral symmetry

one side of the organism mirrors the other side

Segmentation

the separate anatomical structures of the brain

ganglia

A cluster of neurons (often classified as a brain) that are a part of the PNS and carry nerve signals to and from the CNS

Spinal cord

connects the brain to sensory pathways

Which developmental structure develops into the spinal cord?

notochord

What are the two major divisions of the brain?

• The CNS

• The PNS

What are the components of the CNS?

• The brain: encased by the skull

• the spinal cord: encased by the vertebrae

What are embodied behaviors?

Proposes that the movements we make and the movements we perceive in others are central to our behavior

Which philosopher is associated with dualism?

Descartes

Which philosopher is associated with Mentalism?

Aristotle

Which philosopher is associated with materialism?

Darwin and Wallace

What is Hebb’s contemporary view on brain and behavior?

suggests that learning is enabled by small groups of neurons forming new connections with one another to form a cell assembly

What is the function of heritable factors (genes)?

they govern the various physical traits

Genotype

the genetic makeup of an individual which governs the outcome of the various measurable traits

Phenotypes

Set of individual traits that can be seen or measured