Unit 2: Biopsychology Vocabulary

Studying behavior holistically means...

... taking multiple factors (or the entire human being) into account when studying behavior.

Studying behavior from a reductionist viewpoint means...

... to study behavior scientifically, we need to isolate certain factors or behaviors and study them individually.

Localization

... the idea that every behavior is associated with a specific brain region or area.

The central nervous system consists of...

... the spinal chord and the brain.

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the brain to change by the development of synaptic connections between neurons or neural networks. This could be caused by genetic or environmental factors.

fMRI

a noninvasive brain imaging technique that measures brain activity by tracking blood flow in the brain:

MRI

a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create detailed 3D images of the inside of the body.

EEG

a painless test that measures the electrical activity in your brain and records your brain waves.

CAT (CT) Scan

a noninvasive medical imaging procedure that uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body.

PET Scan

an imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to show how well your organs and tissues are working and to look for disease.

Neural Transmission

Nerve impulses travel along neurons until the reach a synapse.

Neuron

Nerve cells that send messages all over your body to allow you to do everything from breathing to talking, eating, walking, and thinking.

Synapse

The places where neurons connect and communicate with each other.

Neurotransmitter

Mediate the events or impulses in a synapse.

Excitatory Neurotransmitter

Allow the events or impulses to cross a synapse.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitter

Prevent or stop the events or impulses to cross a synapse.

Agonist

Amplify the effect of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

Reduce the effect or a neurotransmitter.

Neural Networks

Develop with the making or breaking of synaptic connections between neurons.

Hormones

Chemicals released by specific glands that regulate changes in the body. Some are neurotransmitters, and can be used to study mood, attention, and behavior.

Pheromones

Chemical signals that trigger specific behaviors or physiological responses in members of the same species. Though there is increasing evidence that these could have an effect on human behavior, none of these are conclusive or scientifically backed.

Genes

Made up of DNA which provides the structure and function of the human body.

Gene Expression & Regulation

Genes can be switched on and off - meaning having a particular gene for a behavior does not mean that the individual will exhibit that behavior

The Nervous System

A system of neurons responsible for communication in the body. It consists of the spinal chord and brain.

Cortex

The layer of neurons covering the brain on the outside. Largest part of the human brain associated with abstract thought or voluntary action.

Frontal Lobes

Associated with reasoning, planning, thinking, decision making, voluntary action, complex emotion, etc.

Parietal Lobe

Associated with movement, orientation, perception, and recognition.

Occipital Lobe

Associated with visual processing.

Temporal Lobe

Associated with processing auditory information, memory, and speech.

Left Hemisphere

Associated with behaviors that are logical, analytical, and orderly.

Right Hemisphere

Associated with behaviors that visual, intuitive, and creative.

Corpus Callosum

A structure that divides the two hemispheres of the brain.

Cerebellum

Associated with coordination of moment and balance

The Limbic System

A group of brain structures that control emotions, memory, and other behaviors.

Thalamus

Associated with most sensory functions, the nerves from almost all sensory organs reash this area as a final processing headquarters before they are connected to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Associated with functions such as emotion, thirst, and hunger.

Amygdala

Associated with memory, emotion, and fear.

Hippocampus

Associated with functions such as learning, memory, and transferring short-term memory to a more permanent store, spacial orientation, etc.

Brain Stem

Regulates basic vital processes such as breathing or heartbeat.

Synaptic Plasticity

the ability of the neuron to form new synaptic connections.

Cortical Remapping

The phenomenon when one brain area takes over the function of another brain area, for example, due to injury.

SSRI

blocks the reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin

Placebo

A harmless substance with no effect.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene, can be dominant or recessive.

Genotype

The set of traits that is coded into your DNA - the plan that is in your genes.

Phenotype

Observable characteristics or unobservable characteristics - the implementation of what is in your genes.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors and behaviors can alter the way genes work without changing the DNA sequence.

Evolution

The idea that all species are related and change over time from generation to generation.

Natural Selection

a process that explains how organisms evolve over time by adapting to their environment - ideal survival traits develop over time, where as traits that no longer benefit no longer transfer to the next generation.

Broca: a man lost his ability to speak, and after he had surgery, the only thing he could say was tan, even though his intelligence wasn't affected. This condition is called Broca’s aphasia.

Localization Study

Merzenich: a finger was amputated from monkeys, and it was found at the brain areas controlling the fingers next to the amputated finger got larger showing cortical remapping

Neuroplasticity Study

Crocket: some participants were given an SSRI and some placebo, and given moral dilemmas like the trolley problem. The study found that serotonin increased pro-social behavior.

Neurotransmitters and behavior study

Draganski: used an MRI to see if brain structure changed as a result of studying for an exam in medicine

Brain study techniques and behavior study

Romero: dogs were given oxytocin or placebo, and the dogs with oxytocin spent more time closer to their owner

Hormones and behavior study

Lundstrom and olsson: women were exposed to AND, or a placebo and women exposed to AND had increased moods with a male experimenter

Pheremones and behavior study

Scarr and weinsberg: study trans racial adoption, and result showed that additive influence of both genetics and environment, influenced IQ

genes and behavior study

Harlow’s: studies with monkeys that showed the existence of attachment styles and the importance of behaviors, like clinging and grooming

Evolution and behavior study

Merenzitch: a finger was amputated from monkeys, and it was found at the brain areas controlling the fingers next to the amputated finger got larger showing cortical remapping

Animal research and behavior study

-regulates anxiety

-promotes bonding

Oxytocin function

-triggers fight or flight

-heightened awareness

-reduced ability to feel pain

Adrenaline function

-increases heart rate

-mood regulation

Noradrenaline function

-regulate stress

-improved alertness

Cortisol function

-regulates mood

-helps with memory and learning

Insulin function

-libido

-development of male characteristics/body

Testosterone function

-regulates mood

-regulates menstrual cycle

Estrogen function

-regulate sleep

-regulates anxiety

Melatonin function

-regulates mood

-relaxation

Progesterone function