Week 1 - CN lecture 24 Feb - Introduction

Dualism

Mind and body are separate entities. Mental experiences can’t be explained just by looking at our physical brain

Dual aspect theory

Mind and brain are different aspects of the same phenomenon.

Reductionism

Psychological terms are temporary, awaiting full biological explanations

Neurons

A nervous system cell that communicates with other cells and neurons

Synapse

The space where neurotransmitters signal from one neuron to another.

Gray Matter

Cell bodies (soma) of neurons

White Matter

Myelinated axons (pathways between neurons).

Frontal Lobe

decision making, motor functions

Parietal Lobe

sensory processing

Temporal Lobe

auditory processing and memory

Occipital Lobe

visual processing

Basal Ganglia

movement control and dopamine production

Limbic System

emotion (amygdala) and memory (hippocampus)

Diencephalon

processes sensory information (thalamus) and regulates homeostasis (hypothalamus)

Midbrain

hearing and gaze orienting

Hindbrain

breathing and heartrate

Cerebellum

motor commands and smooth movement such as balance, coordination