Brains and Function

Flashcards covering key concepts related to brain anatomy, functions, and psychology from the lecture notes.

What is Phrenology?

Phrenology is the study of the shape and size of the cranium as an indication of character and mental abilities; considered a pseudoscience.

Who is Joseph Gall and what is his contribution to psychology?

Joseph Gall was a psychologist in the late 1700s who proposed that moral and intellectual faculties are innate and that the brain is composed of many organs corresponding to different faculties.

What are the three main layers of the brain?

The three main layers of the brain are the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain.

What structures are found in the hindbrain?

The hindbrain includes the pons, medulla, and cerebellum, responsible for vital functions and coordination.

What is the primary function of the thalamus?

The thalamus acts as the sensory control center, processing all sensory information except smell.

What are the components of the limbic system?

The limbic system consists of the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary gland.

How is the amygdala involved in emotion?

The amygdala is involved in memory and emotion, particularly in the response to fear and aggression.

What is the role of the hippocampus?

The hippocampus is crucial for establishing long-term memories and explicit memories of events and facts.

What are the four lobes of the brain and their functions?

The four lobes are: Frontal (higher mental functions, planning, decision making), Parietal (sensory processing), Temporal (learning, memory, auditory processing), and Occipital (visual processing).

What does damage to the left frontal lobe cause in Phineas Gage?

Damage to the left frontal lobe led to Phineas Gage becoming inconsiderate, rude, and unable to keep a job.

What is Broca's aphasia?

Broca's aphasia is the difficulty in pronouncing words and issues with language production, affecting speaking and writing.

Who demonstrated the specialization of the cerebral hemispheres?

Roger Sperry demonstrated the specialization of the cerebral hemispheres by cutting the corpus callosum in epileptic patients for better understanding.

What are split-brain patients?

Split-brain patients have undergone surgery to cut the corpus callosum, which affects communication between the two hemispheres of the brain.

What functions are associated with the left hemisphere of the brain?

The left hemisphere is associated with language processing, word recognition, and logical reasoning.

What functions are attributed to the right hemisphere?

The right hemisphere is responsible for facial recognition, spatial interpretations, and emotional processing.

What does plasticity in the brain refer to?

Plasticity refers to the ability of the nervous system to adapt or change in response to experiences or physical damage.