AP Psych Unit 1 Vocab: Brain

Biological Psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. Some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologist

Biopsychosocial Approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

Levels of Analysis

the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to socio-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon

Neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Lesion

tissue destruction. Brain lesions may occur naturally (from disease or trauma), during surgery, or experimentally (using electrodes to destroy brain cells)

EEG (electroencephalogram)

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

a brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity

CT (computed tomography) Scan

a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure

PET (positron emission tomography)

a technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose foes while the brain performs a given task

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft-tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy

fMRI (functional MRI)

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI. fMRI scans show brain functions as well as structure

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 brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

Medulla

the hindbrain structure that is the brainstems base; controls heartbeat and breathing

Thalamus

the forebrain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; 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 brainstem into the thalamus; it filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal

Cerebellum

the hindbrain’s “little brain” at the rear of the brain stem; it’s 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 amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary gland; associated with emotions and drives

Amygdala

two lima-bean-sized 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, and is linked to emotion and reward

Hippocampus

a neural center 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. They enable linguistic processing, muscle movements, higher-order thinking, and executive functioning (such as making plans and judgements)

Parietal Lobes

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

Occipital Lobes

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

Temporal Lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; it includes the auditory areas, each of which receives information primarily from the opposite ear. They also enable language processing

Motor Cortex

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

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 the primary motor or sensory functions, but rather are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

Neurogenesis

the formation of new neurons

Corpus Callosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Split Brain

a condition resulting from surgery that separates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them