AP Psychology Vocabulary- Module 6

hindbrain

consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; directs essential survival functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and wakefulness, as well as coordination and balance

midbrain

found atop the brain stem; connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, controls some motor movement, and transmits auditory and visual information

forebrain

consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus; manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities

brainstem

the central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brain stem is responsible for automatic survival functions

medulla

the hindbrain structure that is the brainstem’s base; controls heartbeat and breathing

thalamus

the forebrain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brain stem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

reticular formation

a nerve network that travels through the brain stem into the thalamus; filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal

cerebellum

the hindbrain’s “little brain“ at the rear of the brain stem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

limbic system

neural system located mostly in the forebrain- below the cerebral hemispheres- that includes the amyglada, hypothalamus, and hippocampus; associated with emotions and drives

amyglada

two almond-shaped neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

hypothalamus

a limbic system neural structure lying below(hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

hippocampus

a neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit (conscious) memories-of facts and events- for storage

cerebral cortex

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the forebrain’s cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center

frontal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

parietal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

occipital lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

temporal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

somatosensory cortex

a cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

association areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking and speaking

motor cortex

a cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal loves that controls voluntary movements