Behavioral Science Chapter 1- Biology and Behavior Flashcards
A researcher that developed the doctrine of phrenology and believed that one could measure psychological attributes by feeling/measuring the skull.
Franz Gall
A researcher that was the first to study the functions of the major sections of the brain. His work led to the assertion that specific parts of the brain had specific functions.
Pierre Flourens
Also known as ablation, this technique involves surgically removing parts of the brain and observing the behavioral consequences (mostly done on pigeons and rabbits
Extirpation
A researcher known as the father of American psychology and studied how the mind adapts to the environment.
William James
Studies how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments.
Functionalism
A researcher that criticized the concept of the reflex arc, which breaks the process of reacting to a stimulus into discrete parts. He believed that psychology should focus on the study of the organism as a whole as it functioned to adapt to its environment.
John Dewey
A researcher that was the first to demonstrate that specific functional impairments could be linked with specific brain lesions.
Paul Broca
Area of the left side of the brain that when damaged, causes the patient the inability to speak but keeps the ability to comprehend language
Broca’s Area
A researcher that was the first to measure the speed of a nerve impulse. He also related the measured speed of such impulses to reaction time, linking behavior and underlying nervous system activity
Hermann von Helmholtz
A researcher that first inferred the existence of synapses. He thought that synaptic transmission was an electrical process, but we now know that it is primarily a chemical process.
Sir Charles Sherrington
A nerve cell that transmits sensory information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain.
Sensory/Afferent neurons
A nerve cell that transmits motor information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.
Motor/Efferent neurons
A nerve cell found between other neurons. The most numerous of the three types and is often linked to reflexive behavior.
Interneurons
A primary component/division of the Nervous System that is composed of the brain and the spinal cord.
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
A primary component/division of the Nervous System that is composed of the nerve tissue and fibers outside of the brain and spinal cord.
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
31 pairs of nerves emanating from the spinal cord. Also a part of the Peripheral Nervous System.
Spinal Nerves
12 pairs of nerves emanating directly from the brain. Also a part of the Peripheral Nervous System.
Cranial Nerves
A subdivision of the Peripheral Nervous System that consists of sensory and motor neurons distributed throughout the skin, joints, and muscles.
The Somatic Nervous System
A subdivision of the Peripheral Nervous System that regulates heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and glandular secretions. Manages the involuntary muscles associated with many internal organs and glands.
The Autonomic Nervous System
A subdivision of the Autonomic Nervous System whose main role is to conserve energy. It is associated with sleeping and resting states, reducing heart rate, constricting bronchi, and managing digestion by increasing exocrine secretions.
The Parasympathetic Nervous System
A subdivision of the Autonomic Nervous System that is activated by stress. Also closely associated with rage and fear reactions a.k.a “Fight or Flight”.
The Sympathetic Nervous System
A thick, three-layered sheath of connective tissue that covers the brain. Helps protect the brain by keeping it anchored within the skull
Meninges
The outer layer of connective tissue (meninges) that is connected directly to the skull.
Dura Mater
The middle layer of connective tissue (meninges). A fibrous, web-like structure.
Arachnoid Mater
The inner layer of connective tissue (meninges), Connected directly to the brain.
Pia Mater
The aqueous solution that nourishes the brain and spinal cord and also provides a protective cushion.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Internal Cavities of the brain that is lined with specialized cells that produce cerebrospinal fluid.
Ventricles
The most primitive region of the brain. Formed from the midbrain and hindbrain.
Brainstem
A group of neural structures primarily associated with emotion and memory. Related to aggression, fear, and pleasure.
The Limbic System
The outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres. Associated with everything from language processing to problem-solving, and from impulse control to long-term planning.
Cerebral Cortex
A division of the human brain located where the brain meets the spinal cord. It controls balance, motor coordination, breathing, digestion, and general arousal processes such as sleeping and walking.
The Hindbrain (rhombencephalon)
During embryonic development, the Hindbrain (rhombencephalon) divides to form this structure. This structure becomes the medulla oblongata.
The Meyencephalon
During embryonic development, the Hindbrain (rhombencephalon) divides to form this structure. This structure becomes the pons and cerebellum.
The Metencephalon
This lower brain structure is responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. Located in the Hindbrain.
The Medulla Oblongata
This structure lies above the medulla and contains sensory and motor pathways between the cortex and the medulla. Located in the Hindbrain.
The Pons
This structure is located at the top of the hindbrain and helps maintain posture and balance and also coordinates body movements. Located in the Hindbrain.
The Cerebellum
A division of the human brain located just above the Hindbrain. It receives sensory and motor information from the rest of the body. It is also associated with involuntary reflex responses triggered by visual or auditory stimuli.
The Midbrain (mesencephalon)
One of the prominent nuclei in the midbrain, which receives visual sensory input. Located in the midbrain.
Superior Colliculus
One of the prominent nuclei in the brain, which receives sensory information from the auditory system. Has a role in reflexive reactions in response to loud noises. Located in the midbrain.
Inferior Colliculus
A cluster of neurons within the Central Nervous System, located deep within the cerebral hemispheres and the brainstem.
Nuclei
A division of the human brain located above the midbrain that is associated with complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes. Associated with emotion and memory and has the greatest influence on human behavior.
The Forebrain (prosencephalon)
During prenatal development, the Forebrain (prosencephalon) divides to form this structure. This structure forms the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system.
The Telencephalon
During prenatal development, the Forebrain (prosencephalon) divides to form this structure. This structure forms the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland, and pineal gland.
The Diencephalon
The study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain.
Neuropsychology
A neuropsychology method that involves electrically stimulating the brain and recording consequent brain activity. The recorded activity is called:
Cortical Maps
A neuropsychology method that records electrical activity produced by the brain itself by placing electrodes on the scalp and recording electrical activity from larger groups of neurons.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A neuropsychology method that detects broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain.
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow (rCBF)
A neuropsychology method in which multiple X-rays are taken at different angles and are processed by a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the tissue.
Computed Axial Tomography Scan (CAT/CT)
A neuropsychology method in which radioactive sugar is injected and absorbed into the body and its dispersion and uptake throughout the target tissue is imaged.
Positron Emission Tomography Scan (PET)
A neuropsychology method in which a magnetic field that interacts with hydrogen atoms is used to map out hydrogen-dense regions of the body.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A neuropsychology method that uses the same base technique as MRI but specifically measures changes associated with blood flow.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
A structure within the forebrain that serves as an important relay station for incoming sensory information, including all senses except for smell.
The Thalamus
A structure within the forebrain that serves homeostatic functions. It also handles emotions during high arousal states, aggressive behavior, and sexual behavior. It also helps control SOME endocrine functions.
The Hypothalamus
A subdivision of the Hypothalamus that has special receptors thought to detect when the body needs food or fluid. Damage to this would lead to refusing food and drink (starvation).
The Lateral Hypothalamus (LH)
A subdivision of the Hypothalamus that provides signals to stop eating. Damage to this would lead to obesity.
The Ventromedial Hypothalamus (VMH)
A subdivision of the Hypothalamus that controls sexual behavior and regulates sleep and body temperature. Damage to this leads to permanent inhibition of sexual activity.
The Anterior Hypothalamus
A structure formed from the Diencephalon and a division of the pituitary gland that is comprised of axonal projections from the hypothalamus and is the site of release for the hypothalamic hormones ADH and oxytocin.
The Posterior Pituitary Gland
A structure formed from the Diencephalon that secretes a hormone called melatonin as well as receives direct signals from the retina for coordination with sunlight.
The Pineal Gland
A hormone secreted from the Pineal Gland that regulates circadian rhythms.
Melatonin
A group of structures in the middle of the brain that coordinate muscle movement as they receive information from the cortex and relay the information (via the extrapyramidal motor system) to the brain and spinal cord.
The Basal Ganglia
A part of the Basal Ganglia that gathers information about the body’s position and carries it to the central nervous system. It does not function directly through motor neurons.
The Extrapyramidal System