Ap psychology 1.4a-1.4c

biological psychology

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

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of

analysis.

levels of analysis

the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.

neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing aer damage or by

building new pathways based on experience.

lesion

tissue destruction. Brain — may occur naturally (from disease or trauma), during surgery, or experimentally (using electrodes to destroy brain cells).

EEG

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface.These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

MEG

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

CT

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.

PET

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

MRI

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. —- scans show brain anatomy.

fMRI

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. ——- scans show brain function/structure.

hindbrain

consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; directs essential survival functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and wakefulness, as well as coordination and balance.

midbrain

found atop the brainstem; connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, controls some motor movement, and transmits auditory/visual information.

forebrain

consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus; manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities

brainstem

the central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the —- is responsible for automatic survival functions.

Medulla

the hindbrain structure that is the brainstem’s base; controls heartbeat and breathing.

thalamus

the forebrain’s sensory control center, on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to sensory receiving areas in the cortex / transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

reticular formation

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus; it filters information, plays important role in controlling arousal.

cerebellum

the hindbrain’s “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

Limbic system

neural system located mostly in the forebrain — below the cerebral hemispheres — that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary gland; associated with emotions and drives.

amygdala

two lima-bean–sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.

hypothalamus

a limbic system neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system, is linked to emotion and reward.

hippocampus

a neural center in the limbic system that helps process explicit (conscious) memories — of facts and events — for storage.

cerebral cortex

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the forebrain’s cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.

frontal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead. They enable linguistic processing, muscle movements, higher-order thinking, and executive functioning (such as making plans and judgments).

parietal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; it receives sensory input for touch and body position.

occipital lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; it includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

temporal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; it includes the auditory areas, each of which receives information primarily from the opposite ear. They also enable language processing.

motor cortex

a cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

somatosensory cortex

a cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

association areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions, are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

neurogenesis

the formation of new neurons.

corpus callosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

split brain

a condition resulting from surgery that separates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them