1 - Introduction

Question 0

Monism

Answer 0

The belief that the world consists only of matter and energy and that the mind is a phenomenon produced by the workings of the nervous system.

Question 1

Dualism

Answer 1

The belief that the body is physical but the mind (or soul) is not.

Question 2

Blindsight

Answer 2

The ability of a person who cannot see objects in his or her blind field to accurately reach for them while remaining unconscious of perceiving them; caused by damage to the “mammalian” visual system of the brain.

Question 3

Corpus callosum

Answer 3

The largest commisure of the brain, interconnecting the areas of the neocortex I each side of the brain.

Question 4

Split-brain operation

Answer 4

Brain surgery that is occasionally perform to treat a form of epilepsy; the surgeon cuts the corpus callosum, which connects the two hemispheres of the brain.

Question 5

Cerebral hemispheres

Answer 5

The two symmetrical halves of the brain; constitute the major part of the brain.

Question 6

Unilateral neglect

Answer 6

A syndrome in which people ignore objects located towards their left and the last sides of objects located anywhere; most often caused by damage to the right parietal lobe.

Question 7

Generalization

Answer 7

A type of scientific explanation; a general conclusion based on many observations of similar phenomena.

Question 8

Reduction

Answer 8

A type of scientific explanation; a phenomenon is described in terms of the more elementary processes that underlie it.

Question 9

Reflex

Answer 9

An automatic, stereotyped movement that is produced as a direct result of a stimulus.

Question 10

Model

Answer 10

A mathematical or physical analogy for a physiological process; for example, computers have been used as models for various functions of the brain.

Question 11

Doctrine of specific nerve energies

Answer 11

Mueller’s conclusion that, because all nerve fibers carry the same type of message, sensory information must be specified by the particular nerve fibers that are active.

Question 12

Experimental ablation

Answer 12

The research method in which the function of a part of the brain is inferred by observing the behaviors and animal can know longer perform after that part is damaged.

Question 13

Functionalism

Answer 13

The principle that the best way to understand a biological phenomenon (a behavior or physiological structure) is to try to understand it’s useful functions for the organism.

Question 14

Natural selection

Answer 14

The process by which inherited traits that come for a selective advantage (increase an animal’s likelihood to leave and reproduce) become more prevalent in a population.

Question 15

Mutation

Answer 15

A change in the genetic information contained in the chromosomes of sperm or eggs, which can be passed on to an organism’s offspring; provides genetic variability.

Question 16

Selective advantage

Answer 16

A characteristic of an organism that permits it to produce more than the average number of offspring of its species.

Question 17

Evolution

Answer 17

A gradual change in the structure and physiology of plant and animal species – generally producing more complex organisms — as a result of natural selection.

Question 18

Neoteny

Answer 18

A slowing of the process of maturation, allowing more time for growth; an important factor in the development of large brains.

Question 19

Behavioral neuroscientist

Answer 19

A scientist who studies the physiology of behavior, primarily by performing physiological and behavioral experiments with laboratory animals.