1.4A-C Parts of the Brain + Hormones, Brain Scans, BioPsych Approaches

biological psychologists

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

biopsychosocial approach

integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

Neuroplasticity

the ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma

Lesion

destroying tiny clusters of normal or defective brain cells to see the effects on the brain

EEG (electroencephalogram)

shows brain's electrical activity by positioning electrodes over the scalp

MEG (magnetic encephalogram)

measures the brain's magnetic field from it's natural electrical activity while participants perform activities

CT (computed tomography) scan

examines the brain by taking x-ray photographs that can reveal brain damage

PET (position emission tomography) scanning

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses a magnetic field to create a computerized image of internal bodily structures

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

Brain stem

Connection to spinal cord; automatic survival functions

Medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Thalamus

the brain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

reticular formation

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

cerebellum

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

limbic system

neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

Amygdala

The limbic system is involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression. (initial emotional response to sensory information)

Hypothalamus

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, and body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion

Hippocampus

a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage

Damage to hippocampus

unable to form new memories of facts or events

pituitary gland

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

cerebal cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

frontal lobe

The lobe at the front of the brain associated with movement, speech, and impulsive behavior.

parietal lobe

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

occipital lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

temporal lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory info primarily from the opposite end. Language comprehension, memory, and emotion

Motor Cortex

rear of frontal lobes; controls voluntary movements

somatosensory cortex

registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

association areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

corpus callosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Split Brain

a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them

Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

left side of brain controls right side of body while right brain controls left body except smell

cortex specialization

The tendency for one side or area of the brain to carry out specific brain activities. Even though both sides of the brain are almost identical, one hemisphere primarily carries out some functions over others.

Broca's area

speech production

Wernicke's area

language comprehension

Aphasia

inability to speak

visual association cortex

analyzes visual data to form images

auditory association cortex

analyzes data about sound, so that we can recognize words or melodies

primary auditory cortex

The region of the superior temporal lobe whose primary input is from the auditory system

Hypothalamus Four F

feeding, fighting, and freezing, falocating (sex)

pons

Regulates brain activity during sleep.

Thyroid gland

Growth, metabolism, and appetite

Adrenal gland

Stress response & increased metabolic activity

Pancreas

Pancreas

Gonads (testes or ovaries)

Sexual motivation and reproduction