ap psych 1.4

amygdala

small, almond-shaped structure in the temporal lobes; processes emotions like fear and aggression.

aphasia

impairment of language caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's or Wernicke's area.

association areas

parts of the brain that take information from all over the place (see, hear, smell, and touch) and put it together to help us understand the world around us

broca’s area

located in the left hemisphere of the brain in the frontal lobe; responsible for speaking and language processing

cerebellum

located at the back of the brain, below the cerebral hemispheres, responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture

cerebral cortex

the outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions (thinking, perceiving, and decision-making)

contralateral hemispheric organization

phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body

corpus callosum

thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain (communication and information sharing)

cortex specialization with split brain patients

explored through split brain research; each hemisphere of the brain has specialized functions and abilities.

electroencephalogram

non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record electrical activity in the brain.

executive functioning

cognitive processes that allow you to plan, organize, strategize, focus attention, and manage time effectively.

frontal lobes

located at the front of the brain and are involved in higher-level cognitive functions, including decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and personality expression

FMRI

neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels

hippocampus

curved structure located within the brain's temporal lobes; forms and consolidates new memories.

hypothalamus

a small structure located below the thalamus, responsible for regulating hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sleep-wake cycle

lesioning

research technique used to study brain function by destroying areas of the brain in experimental animals

limbic system

located beneath the cerebral cortex, is a set of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motivation.

lobes of the brain

the four main regions where the cerebral cortex and the outer layer of the brain is divided

medulla

relay station for nerve signals traveling between the brain and the spinal cord; controls involuntary bodily movements crucial for survival.

motor cortex

region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for controlling voluntary movements of the body

occipital lobes

located at the back of the brain and is responsible for processing visual information (from eyes)

parietal lobes

located at the top of the brain; responsible for processing sensory information (touch, temperature, and spatial awareness)

pituitary gland

small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, often referred to as the "master gland" due to its central role in regulating hormone production

plasticity

refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes.

prefrontal cortex

a region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions and executive functioning.

reticular activating system

a network of neurons in the brainstem that regulates arousal, attention, and consciousness

reward center

network of brain structures, primarily located in the limbic system, that processes pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors associated with them

somatosensory cortex

located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints

split brain research

studies people who had a procedure called corpus callosotomy (disconnects the two hemispheres of the brain)

temporal lobes

located on the sides of the brain and are involved in processing auditory information, language comprehension, and memory formation

thalamus

a relay station in the brain that relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex.

wernicke's area

region located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the temporal lobe, that is involved in language comprehension and understanding spoken and written language