Unit 1.4 - The Brain - AP Psychology

biological psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

biopsychosocial approach

how different aspects of human behavior are influenced by a combination or biological factors + social factor

biological factor examples

genes, hormones, neurotransmitters, brain activity

social factor examples

family/cultural, influences, peer-pressure

Neuroplasticity

the ability within the brain to change, build + reorganize after damage (detour)

Neurogenesis

creation of new neurons in the adult brain

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

record of the electrical activity of the brain

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain

computed tomography (CT)

brain-imaging method using computer-controlled X-rays of the brain

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

tracks where a temporarily radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain of the person given it performs a given task

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

people sit or lie down in a chamber that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to provide a map of brain structure

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

measures blood flow to brain regions by comparing continuous MRI scans

Hindbrain function

survival functions

midbrain function

movement, sensation

forebrain function

memory, emotion

brain stem

Connects the brain to the spinal cord; automatic survival factors

reticular formation location

nerve network in the brainstem into thalamus

medulla location

the base of the brainstem

what happens when the medulla is damaged?

death or be on life support

what happens when the reticular formation is damaged?

state of permanent sleep or wakefulness

pons location

the part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus.

Pons function

respiration, REM sleep, also a communication and coordination center between the two hemispheres of brain

thalamus function

the brain's sensory control center, transmits replies to cerebellum and medula

cerebellum location

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem

cerebellum function

balance, coordination, posture, processes sensory input, judgement of time, enables nonverbal learning + memory

medulla function

controls heartbeat and breathing

hindbrain location

the lowest + oldest structure of the brain (brainstem)

midbrain location

middle of the brain

forebrain location

cerebral cortex

thalamus location

top of brainstem

What does the thalamus do?

receives messages from all the sensory receptors and relays it to the proper part of the cerebrum

Explicit memory

facts and experiences

Where are explicit memories stored?

hippocampus

Implicit memory

skills, muscular movement

Where is implicit memory stored?

cerebellum

Limbic system location

neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres

Limbic system function

associated with emotions and drives

Amygdala function

responsible for survival emotions of fear and anger

Amygdala location

temporal lobe

hippocampus location

limbic system

hippocampus function

processing long term memory and emotional responses; explicit memories of facts and events

hypothalamus location

below the thalamus

hypothalamus function

directs maintenance activities (eating, drinking, etc.); helps govern the endocrine system; linked to emotions and rewards

corpus callosum location

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres

pituitary gland location

base of the brain

pituitary gland is controlled by?

hypothalamus

what is the pituitary gland responsible for?

the release of hormones by controlling all endocrine glands

endocrine glands

Glands of the endocrine system that release hormones into the bloodstream

pineal gland function

produces melatonin

cerebral cortex location

Forebrain (thick outer covering)

cerebral cortex function

plays role with memory, attention, perceptual awareness, thinking, speaking + consciousness; organized with lobes

frontal lobe location

behind forehead; largest lobe

What is the frontal lobe responsible for?

Muscle movement, personality, problem solving, short term memory, planning, word meanings, emotion, speech, smell, cognition, consciousness, etc.

motor cortex

area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Broca's area function

speech production

Broca's area location

frontal lobe

Broca's aphasia

inability to produce speech

parietal lobe function

receives sensory input for touch sensations

parietal lobe location

top of head

somatosensory cortex function

registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

somatosensory cortex location

parietal lobe

angular gyrus

translates writing into speech

temporal lobe function

hearing, language, memory

temporal lobe location

above ears

Wernicke's Area

ability to understand language

Wernicke's aphasia

inability to comprehend speech

auditory cortex function

responsible for processing sound information

auditory cortex location

area of the temporal lobe

occipital lobe function

processes visual information

occipital lobe location

back of head

visual cortex

organization and processing of visual information

What are association areas?

Areas of the cerebral cortex not involved in primary motor or sensory functions.

What functions are associated with association areas?

Higher mental functions like learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.