1.4 the brain

Biological Psychology

branch of psychology that studies the links between biological processes and psychological phenomena

Biopsychosocial Approach

integrated approach that incorporates biological

Levels of Analysis

various ways of examining and understanding psychological phenomena

Brain Plasticity (neuroplasticity)

brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience

EEG

electroencephalography; technique that measures electrical activity of the brain

MEG

magnetoencephalography; technique that measures magnetic fields produced by neural activity

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging; technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of brain structures

CT

computed tomography; imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of cross-sections of the body

PET

positron emission tomography; technique that assesses metabolic and physiological functions in the brain

fMRI

functional magnetic resonance imaging; technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow

Lesions

areas of tissue damage within the brain

Brain Stem

oldest part of the brain

Hindbrain

lower part of the brain including the medulla

Midbrain

part of the brain involved in reflex activities and control of eye movements

Forbrain

largest part of the brain

Medulla Oblongata

structure in the brain stem that controls vital life-sustaining functions such as heartbeat and breathing

Reticular Activating System (Reticular Formation)

network of neurons in the brain stem involved in arousal and attention

Cerebellum

part of the brain responsible for coordination and balance

Cerebral Cortex

outer layer of the brain involved in high-level mental processes

Limbic System

group of structures involved in emotion

Thalamus

brain's sensory control center

Hypothalamus

brain region controlling the pituitary gland and regulating hunger

Pituitary Gland

endocrine gland that regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Hippocampus

part of the limbic system involved in memory formation

Amygdala

part of the limbic system involved in emotion processing

Corpus Callosum

large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres

Split Brain

condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres

Broca’s Area

region of the brain involved in speech production

Wernicke’s Area

region of the brain involved in language comprehension

Cortex Specialization

different regions of the cerebral cortex are specialized for different functions

Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

organization of the brain where each hemisphere processes sensory and motor functions for the opposite side of the body

Aphasia

impairment of language

Occipital Lobe

region of the brain involved in visual processing

Temporal Lobe

region of the brain involved in auditory processing and memory

Parietal Lobe

region of the brain involved in processing sensory information

Association Areas

regions of the cerebral cortex involved in higher mental functions

Somatosensory Cortex

area of the parietal lobe responsible for processing sensory input from the body

Frontal Lobe

region of the brain involved in reasoning

Prefrontal Cortex

part of the frontal lobe involved in planning

Motor Cortex

area of the frontal lobe involved in the planning