Biological Psychology and Brain Structures: Key Concepts and Functions

Biological psychology

Study of how biology (genes, brain, neurotransmitters) influences behavior.

Levels of analysis

Explains behavior through biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ability to form new connections or reorganize after learning or injury.

Lesion

Brain tissue destruction used to study function loss.

EEG

Measures brain's electrical activity; used for sleep and brain waves.

fMRI

Shows brain activity by detecting blood flow.

Hindbrain

Controls basic survival functions; includes medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

Midbrain

Connects hindbrain and forebrain; controls movement and arousal.

Forebrain

Controls higher-level thinking, emotion, and memory.

Brainstem

Connects brain to spinal cord; regulates heartbeat and breathing.

Medulla

Controls heart rate and breathing.

Thalamus

Relays sensory info to the cortex (except smell).

Reticular formation (RAS)

Regulates alertness and attention.

Cerebellum

Coordinates balance, movement, and posture.

Limbic system

Emotion and memory center of the brain.

Amygdala

Controls fear, anger, and emotional responses.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, and endocrine system.

Hippocampus

Forms new memories and aids learning.

Cerebral cortex

Outer brain layer; responsible for complex thought and perception.

Frontal lobes

Control decision-making, planning, and movement.

Parietal lobes

Process touch and spatial awareness.

Occipital lobes

Process visual information.

Temporal lobes

Process hearing and language.

Motor cortex

Controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory cortex

Receives touch and body sensation information.

Association areas

Integrate information and handle learning and memory.

Neurogenesis

Formation of new neurons.

Corpus callosum

Connects the two brain hemispheres.

Split brain research

Studies effects of severed corpus callosum; shows hemispheric specialization.