7. Behavioural Neuroscience: Historical & contemporary perspective

Question 1

what is behaviour

Answer 1

observable actions of organisms.
in psych: history of using behaviour as indicator of internal mental processes, thoughts, desires (behaviourism)

Question 2

what is behavioural neuroscience?

Answer 2

• scientific study of r/s b/w nervous system & mind & behaviour
• links b/w func & struc / mind & body shows high degree of modularity

Question 3

what limits the changes to our understanding of brain

Answer 3

• religious/moral views
• methodological limitations
• serendipity (reliance on CHANCE discoveries)
• scientific conservatism

Question 4

Hippocrates impact on brain

Answer 4

• 1st to propose brain controls bod (instead of heart)
• noted behavioural effects of brain damage

Question 5

Rene Descartes impact

Answer 5

• mind, body problem: how can physical matter (brain) interact w/ mental processes/conscious exp (non-physical quality)

Question 6

luigi galvani impact

Answer 6

• 1st to suggest nerve signals are electrical (not fluid)
• discovered by applying electrical charge to frogs leg (made muscle contract)

Question 7

franz joseph gall impact

Answer 7

• 1st to propose idea of modular brain (whole brain ISN’T doing SAME thing, diff parts for diff func)
• correct abt SPECIFICITY but had wrong locations

Question 8

Paul Broca impact

Answer 8

• 1st solid evidence of brain modularity
• patient: damage to left frontal lobe > unable to speak (damage in same area = same issues)

Question 9

carl wernicke impact

Answer 9

• damage to opp side of brain
• can’t understand speech, but could make sounds (opposite of Broca’s patient)

**2 diff sections of brain work together