COGS2000 week 1 notes

What is the main focus of cognitivism?

To explain the information processing that intervenes between stimuli and behavior.

What does cognitive science unify?

Research on mental processes regardless of topic, experimental approach, method, or discipline.

What is phrenology primarily concerned with?

The localization of function in the brain.

Name a key technique used in cognitive neuroscience that has good spatial resolution.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI).

What is the role of Wernicke's Area in the brain?

Essential for language comprehension, helping in the interpretation of spoken and written language.

What cognitive function is associated with the frontal lobe?

Higher cognitive functions such as decision-making and impulse control.

What is the significance of Layer 4 in the cerebral cortex?

It predominantly receives sensory information from the thalamus.

What does EEG stand for, and what does it measure?

Electroencephalogram; it measures electrical activity in the brain.

What role does the Circle of Willis play in brain function?

It is critical for cerebral blood supply and organization affects responses to blockages or strokes.

What brain area is responsible for processing visual information?

Occipital Lobe.

What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) used for?

To temporarily disrupt brain activity and study cause-and-effect relationships.

How does the primary somatosensory cortex differ in sensitivity?

Areas like the face and hands are more sensitive compared to others like the trunk or legs.

What is the primary role of the thalamus in the brain?

It serves as a relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

What condition is characterized by fluent but nonsensical speech due to damage in Wernicke's Area?

Wernicke's aphasia.

What technique involves temporarily applying a small electrical current to the scalp?

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation.

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Coordination, precision, and timing of movement.

What is the main anatomical feature of the brain's ventricular system?

It circulates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and contains various ventricles.

What does 'contralateral' mean in terms of brain anatomy?

On the opposite side.

Which artery supplies the frontal lobes and motor cortex specific to the legs?

Anterior Cerebral Artery.

What does cognitive neuroscience aim to inform and constrain?

Cognitive science models and new directions for neuroscience research.

What area of the brain is implicated in social cognition and understanding attention?

Temporoparietal junction (TPJ).

What is the role of the Superior Temporal Gyrus (STG)?

It plays a critical role in auditory processing and language comprehension.

What does 'proximal' mean in neuroanatomical terminology?

Closer.

What does the term 'ipsilateral' refer to in the context of brain structure?

On the same side.