Unit 1.4 - The Brain

AP Psychology vocabulary from collegeboard.

Brain Plasticity

This ability to rewire itself allows the brain to adapt after injury or damage. When one part of the brain is damaged, other areas can sometimes take over its function

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Measures electrical activity in the brain, helping scientists study brain waves

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Tracks blood flow in the brain, showing which areas are active during specific tasks

Lesioning studies

Natural or experimentally damaged tissue of the brain used to study portions of the brain (animals + humans)

Split Brain Research

When the corpus callosum (which connects the two hemispheres) is severed, scientists have learned that each hemisphere specializes in different functions

The Cerebral Cortex

The brain’s outermost layer, responsible for higher-level thinking and complex tasks

Divided into lobes

Frontal Lobe

Located just behind the forehead, responsible for higher-order thinking, decision-making. And executive functioning, especially in the prefrontal cortex. Includes the motor cortex in the back of the frontal lobe, controls muscle movement

Part of the Cerebral Cortex

Parietal Lobe

Located near the back crown of your head, responsible for processing sensory information like touch.

The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobe helps you feel textures and temperatures

Part of the Cerebral Cortex

Occipital Lobe

At the rear end of your head, they specialize in visual processing — everything you see is handled here

Part of the Cerebral Cortex

Left Hemisphere Specialization

Language skills are typically located in the left hemisphere

Broca’d Area

Responsible for speech production. Damage here makes it difficult to speak

Part of the Left Hemisphere

Wernicke’s Area

Responsible for speech comprehension. Damage here can cause aphasia, making jt hard to understand language

Part of the Left Hemisphere

Limbic System

Controls emotions and memories

Thalamus

The brain’s “relay station,” it sends sensory information to the right areas of the brain for processing

Part of the Limbic System

Hypothalamus

Regulates basic drives like hunger, thirst, and body temperature — keeping you in balance (Homeostasis)

Part of the Limbic System

Pituitary Gland

The brain’s master gland, it releases hormones that regulate growth and other essential processes

Part of the Limbic System

Hippocampus

Plays a major role in forming new memories

Part of the Limbic System

Amygdala

Processes emotions, especially fear and aggression. It’s the reason why your heart races when you’re scared

Part of the Limbic System

The Cerebellum

Important for motor learning — the more you practice, the better your cerebellum becomes at coordinating movements

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Controls sleep/wake cycles, alertness, and voluntary movements. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to stay awake!

The Brain’s Reward Center

This region drives pleasure and motivation, releasing dopamine when you experience something rewarding (like winning a game kr eating a tasty snack)

Brainstem

Very core of your brain, controls the most basic, life-sustaining functions

Medulla

Manages vital functions like breathing and heart rate — without it, you wouldn’t survive