AP Psych - Unit 2 - Plasticity, specialization, + states of consciousness

how does plasticity happen

through synaptic pruning, where new connections and changes in neural pathways are made. the brain can regain or acquire functions

split brain research

studies people who underwent corpus callosotomy, where their 2 hemispheres are disconnected

contralateral hemispheric organization

each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body

hemispheric specialization

explored through split brain research, concept that each hemisphere has specialized functions and abilities

linguistic processing

cognitive process involved in understanding and producing language

broca’s area

in left hemisphere and frontal lobe, responsible for speech production and language processing. has a role in forming grammatically correct sentences/utterances and coordination of speech muscles

broca’s aphasia

language disorder where broca’s area is damaged typically from stroke/brain injury. there is difficulty producing speech and sentences, speech is slow, short, and effortful

wernicke’s area

in left hemisphere and temporal lobe, responsible for spoken and written language comprehension

wernicke’s aphasia

language disorder where wernicke’s area is damaged typically from stroke/brain injurty. speech is fluent but one has difficulty understanding language and produced speech isn’t meaningful/coherent

electroencephalogram

EEG, non-invasive neuroimaging technique that records the brain’s electrical activity. electrodes are placed on scalp that detect and measure electrical signals produced by neurons. used to diagnose/monitor neurological conditions

functional magnetic resonance imaging

fMRI, neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels, it provides detailed images of brain structure/function. allows one to observe which areas of the brain are active during specific tasks/stimuli

lesioning

research technique that studies brain function by damaging/destroying specific brain areas of experimental animals

consciousness

state of being aware and able to perceive one’s own thoughts, feelings, sensations, surroundings

circadian rhythm

natural, internal process that regulates the sleepwake cycle, repeats around every 24 hours

NREM stage 1

drifting in/out of sleep, lasts only a few mins. brain emits slower alpha waves, muscles relax, hypnic jerks

NREM stage 2

light sleep that lasts around 20 mins. brain emits even slower theta waves, sleep spindles (short bursts of activity), and K-complexes (sudden, sharp waveforms)

NREM stage 3

deepest sleep. brain emits delta waves, restoration of resources occurs (energy is replenished, tissues are repaired, waste products removed, growth hormones)

REM

lasts about 10 mins, vivid dreams, muscle paralysis but internal structures activate. brain activity is increased. brain emits beta waves. has a role in memory consolidation and emotional processing

after stage 3, do you briefly go back into stage 2

yes!

REM rebound

body increases time spent in REM after period of REM deprivation

activation synthesis

theory that dreams are random neural activity in brainstem that is then interpreted by cerebral cortex into a narrative

consolidation theory

suggests dreams play a role in memory consolidation and processing

insomnia

difficulty falling/staying asleep and experiencing restorative sleep. leads to daytime impairment such as fatigue, mood disturbances, and lowered cognitive function

narcolepsy

excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden episodes of cataplexy (muscle weakness), sleep paralysis, hallucinations during sleep onset/awakening

sleep apnea

shallow/pauses in breathing during sleep, leads to disrupted sleep patterns, daytime fatigue, and other health problems

REM sleep behavior disorder

physically acting out dreams during REM sleep, potentially hurting oneself/others due to loss of muscle paralysis

somnambulism

sleepwalking typically in non REM stages, can cause potential injuries/accidents