midmid

mod-6 FMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)

detects changes in blood flow to measure brain activity, when a part of the brain is in use it has more blood flow

mod 6- MRI

uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of the body

case study

A research technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

computerized axial tomography (CT or CAT)

A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among types of soft tissue; this allows us to see structures within the brain.

electroencephalogram (EEG)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface; these waves, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp, are helpful in evaluating brain function.

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

A visual display of brain activity.

brainstem

The oldest part and central core of the brain; it begins where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull and is responsible for automatic survival functions.

medulla [muh-DUL-uh]

Located at the base of the brainstem, it controls basic life-support functions like heartbeat and breathing.

reticular formation

A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling wakefulness and arousal.

thalamus [THAL-uh-muss]

The brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex.

cerebellum [sehr-uh-BELL-um]

The "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem; it helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance.

limbic system

A ring of structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral cortex; it helps regulate important functions such as memory, fear, aggression, hunger, and thirst, and it includes the hypothalamus, the hippocampus, and the amygdala.

hypothalamus [hi-po-THAL-uh-muss]

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it helps regulate many of the body's maintenance activities, such as eating, drinking, and body temperature, and is linked to emotion.

hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system that wraps around the back of the thalamus; it helps process new memories for permanent storage.

amygdala [uh-MIG-duh-la]

An almond-shaped neural cluster in the limbic system that controls emotional responses, such as fear and anger.

cerebral [seh-REE-bruhl] cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neurons that form the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

longitudinal fissure

The long crevice that divides the cerebral cortex into the left and right hemispheres.

corpus callosum [KOR-pus kah-LOW-sum]

The large band of neural tissue that connects the two brain hemispheres and allows them to communicate with each other.

frontal lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead that is involved in planning and judgment; it includes the motor cortex.

parietal [puh-RYE-uh-tuhl] lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; it includes the somatosensory cortex and general association areas used for processing information.

occipital [ahk-SIP-uh-tuhl] lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; it includes the primary visual processing areas of the brain.

temporal lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; it includes the auditory (hearing) areas of the brain.

motor cortex

A strip of brain tissue at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

somatosensory cortex

A strip of brain tissue at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations.

plasticity

The brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or experience.

Broca's area

A brain area of the left frontal lobe that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.

Wernicke's area

A brain area of the left temporal lobe involved in language comprehension and expression.

PET scan

functional imaging technique that uses radioactive substances known as radiotracers to visualize and measure changes in metabolic processes, and in other physiological activities including blood flow, regional chemical composition, and absorption

neuron

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

dendrite

The branching extensions of a neuron that receive information and conduct impulses toward the cell body (soma).

axon

The extension of a neuron through which neural impulses are sent.

axon terminal

The end point of a neuron, where neurotransmitters are stored.

action potential

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron.

resting potential

The state of a neuron when it is at rest and capable of generating an action potential.

all-or-none principle

The principle stating that if a neuron fires, then it always fires at the same intensity; all action potentials have the same strength.

synapse

\[SIN-aps] The tiny, fluid-filled gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another.

neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger that travels across the synapse from one neuron to the next and influences whether a neuron will generate an action potential.

excitatory effect

A neurotransmitter effect that makes it more likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential, or fire.

inhibitory effect

A neurotransmitter effect that makes it less likely that a receiving neuron will generate an action potential, or fire.

receptor cells

Specialized cells in every sensory system of the body that can turn other kinds of energy into action potentials (neural impulses) that the brain can process.

sensory nerves

Nerves that carry information from the sense receptors to the spinal cord and brain.

interneurons

Nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for processing information.

central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and the spinal cord.

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

) The sensory and motor nerves that connect the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body.

somatic nervous system

nervous system The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles.

autonomic nervous system

\[aw-tuh-NAHM-ik] nervous system The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs; its subdivisions are the sympathetic (arousing) division and the parasympathetic (calming) division.

sympathetic division

The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body to deal with perceived threats.

parasympathetic

division The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body.

endocrine

\[EN-duh-krin] system One of the body's two communication systems; a set of glands that produce hormones, chemical messengers that circulate in the blood.

hormone

A chemical messenger produced by the endocrine glands and circulated in the blood.

pituitary gland

The endocrine system's master gland; in conjunction with an adjacent brain area, controls the other endocrine glands.

Beginning and end of adolescence

begins w/ onset of physiologically normal puberty, ends when becoming adult w/ behavior and identity

puberty

the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing

Jean Piaget

introduced stage theory of cognitive development

Kohlberg

3 levels/stages of moral development

Erikson

social development

Erik Erikson definition identity

one's sense of self. adolescent's sense of self by testing and integrating various roles

Erik Erikson Intimacy

the ability to experience open and supportive relationships without fear of losing one's own identity

Erikison's Psychosocial Stages

toddlerhood, preschool, elementary, adolescent, young adulthood, middle adulthood, late adulthood.

Kohlberg vs Erikson's stages

Kolhbergs stages require that you must pass one stage in order to advance to the next with respect to moral reasoning.

Erikson's Stages -

discuss psychosocial development where each stage is a age range and passing or failing one does not influence the others.

3 problems development in adolescence- development

there is both distinct stages that depict development in adolesncense, but continuous development also occurs

stability & change problems

the period of adolescence is affected by both stability (values) and change (new friendships)

Nature and nuture teen problems

the development of sexuality during adolescence is determined by a complex interaction between nature and nurture.

path of nervous system

central and peripheral

dual processing

The principle that information is often processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks at the same time.

hypnosis

Social interaction in which a hypnotist makes suggestions about perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors and those suggestions are followed.

social influence theory

Theory that powerful social influences can produce a state of hypnosis.

divided consciousness theory

Theory that during hypnosis our consciousness splits so that one aspect of consciousness is not aware of the role other parts are playing.

Hynpnosis for uncovering memory?

Most likely not effective and can create false memory

Hypnosis for therapy?

plays on susceptibility and helps w pain

Relaxation

state of calm

Relaxation and meditation benefits

longer life span, can relive headaches, high blood pressure, anxiety, sleep difficulties

Meditation techniques

focusing on breathing, particular sound, or image

change blindness

failing to notice changes in the environment; a form of inattentional blindness

one use of post hypnotic suggestions is to

re hypnotize people quickly and easily

human development

fertilization, becoming zygote, lasting 14 days, dividing rapidly, after 14 days, turns into embyro, 9wks, fetus

placenta

A structure that allows an embryo to be nourished with the mother's blood supply and shields from harmful substances

Piaget's stages of cognitive development

sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational

Genetics vs. Environment

genetic traits directly influence on behavior but also an indirect influence in shaping children's environments.

cranky child, cries alot - genetic factor - may influence her environment by making her parents highly responsive to her crying

assilmilation

interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas

accommodation

adapting current schemas to incorporate new information

sensorimotor stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage during which infants know the world mostly in terms of their sensory impressions and motor activities

preoperational stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage (from about 2 to 6 or 7 years of age) during which a child learns to use language but does not yet comprehend the mental operations of concrete logic

concrete operational stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (from about 6 or 7 to 11 years of age) during which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events

formal operational stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (normally beginning about age 12) during which people begin to think logically about abstract concepts

securely attached

an attachment style characterized by infants who will gradually explore new situations when the caregiver leaves and initiate contact when the caregiver returns after separation

insecurely attached

Children will appear distressed and cry when caregiver leaves. Will cling to them when they return

authoritarian parenting

style of parenting in which parent is rigid and overly strict, showing little warmth to the child

authoritative parenting

parenting style characterized by emotional warmth, high standards for behavior, explanation and consistent enforcement of rules, and inclusion of children in decision making

permissive parenting

A parenting style characterized by the placement of few limits on the child's behavior.

Major Issues in Developmental Psychology

nature and nurture, continuity and stages, stability and change

sensation

The process by which sensory systems (eyes, ears, and other sensory organs) and the nervous system receive stimuli from our environment.

bottom-up processing

Information processing that analyzes the raw stimuli entering through the many sensory systems.

perception

The process of organizing and interpreting incoming sensory information.

top-down processing

Information processing that draws on expectations and experiences to interpret incoming sensory information.

absolute threshold

The minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus.

difference threshold (just noticeable difference)

The minimum amount of difference needed to detect that two stimuli are not the same.