Biopsychology Flashcards

Question

Localisation of function Intro

Answer 1

Localisation of function suggests that specific areas of the brain are specialised for certain functions and only this area of the brain is responsible for this job

Answer 2

One area of the brain is the Broca’s area. This area of the brain is involved in the production of spoken and written language. This is located in the left hemisphere of the brain and if damage occurs to it person may develop brocas aphasia where person can produce slow speech that lacks fluency or a complete absence of speech. Another area of the brain is wernickes area. This area of the brain is involved in the understanding of language this area of the brain is located within the left hemisphere and damage to it can result in the individual unable to understand spoken language or produces nonsense words as part of speech

Answer 3

Involved in creation of motor movements Each hemisphere is responsible for the opposite side of the body Located in both hemispheres Damage to this area causes loss in control over fine movement

Answer 4

Processes information from the senses in the skin Such as pressure changes on skin and temperature changes all over the body Damage to this area can result jn problems perceiving touch and failure to recognise wn object by touch

Answer 5

Involved in the processing of visual information directly from the eyes Such as colour and shape of objects in the enviroment Damage to this area can result in blindness or hallucinations

Answer 6

Associated with the processing of auditory information eg speech based information or pitch and volume Damage to this area results in partial hearing loss through to full hearing loss

Answer 7

Rts by broca Patient EB low pop val

Answer 8

Rts by broca Reported the case study of a man who lost the ability to speak except one word ‘tan’ even though he could understand language Post mortems showed damage in one area in his left hemisphere which is now named the Broca’s area Shows language production is localised to one specific brain area as the theory predicts

Answer 9

Rtc patient EB EB suffered brown damage that resulted in the removal of his left hemisphere and therefore his language centres Despite this after some time EB managed to regain some of his language ability that would not be possible if the Language centres were completely localised to the left hemisphere Shows language centres must be in more area than just the left hemisphere suggesting a holistic explanation of brain functioning is more appropriate than

Answer 10

Both cases lack pop val May not be appropriate to generalise the findings of localisation of function to the typical population, because these are unique cases were brain damage may have affected the way in which the brain functions and some individuals may be able to process language in other areas of the brain For example, some research has suggested it because there is not solely located in the left hemisphere, but also found in areas of the right hemisphere Suggests more research is needed with more diverse samples before firm, conclusions and localisation of language areas is possible

Answer 11

Hemispheric lateralisation adjust the brain split into two symmetrical halves, called the right and left hemisphere. This is the idea that two different hemispheres are responsible for different mental processes.

Answer 12

The left hemisphere is responsible for language two main language centres ,Broca’s area(responsible for speech production) and wernickes area (responsible for understanding language) are located in the left hemisphere. Do I have a spare is responsible for the recognition of faces, places, objects and creativity and can only produce rudimentary words and phrases, but contributes to the emotional context of what is being said Despite this, it is important to understand that many functions are also not a lateralised, such as vision motor, and somatosensory areas which occur in both hemispheres Furthermore, the brain has contralateral wiring where one side of a hemisphere is a responsible for the other side of the body

Answer 13

Sperry Individual differences Patient EB

Answer 14

Sperry Used split brain patients with severed corpus callosum He found that when patients were shown an image of an object to the right visual field, the patient could name it verbally, but when presented to the left visual visual field, they could not name verbally, but could identify the object through pointing Support start of the brain is naturalised and that the hemispheres are responsible for different functions, such as the lift being responsible for language abilities Supports hemispheric lateralisation

Answer 15

Criticised for individual differences in how lateralised the patients brain was The degree to which the corpus callosum was savage for each patient varied greatly, with some having a greater disconnection between the two hemispheres than others Weakness, because the research may not be measuring the effects of lateralisation effectively Which reduces internal validity Research conducted on split brain patients may not be appropriate

Answer 16

Research to contradict case study patient EB Suffered brain damage that resulted in the removal of his left hemisphere and therefore his language centres Despite this after sometime EB managed to regain some of his language ability which would not be possible if the brain is completely lateralised Demonstrates that language must be in more serious than just left hemisphere Argues against lateralisation of function in the brain

Answer 17

Split brain patients have had surgery to cut the area that connects the two hemispheres of the brain, the corpus callosum. While the surgery relieves epilepsy it has a major side effect : the two hemispheres become functionally separate

Answer 18

This research aimed to investigate the effect of severing the connection between the two hemispheres of the brain on functioning, they used a natural experiment, which studied 11 individuals who had the corpus callosum severed due to surgery. The patient was sat in front of a screen and asked to fix the gears on a spot in the middle participants within presented with a visual information to either the right visual field or left visual field for 1/10 of a second so not enough time for the other visual field to switch focus They found that object scene in the right visual field can be named verbally, and in writing as the imagery processed by the language centres in the left side of the brain. Meanwhile, if objects are all the scene in the left visual field, they can only be identified through pointing but cannot be named by the participant. It was concluded that the two hemispheres of the brain have different abilities and functions, but only the lift is able to produce language and the right hemisphere Can recall and identify information but cannot verbalise this.

Answer 19

Scientific methods Individual differences Patient EB

Answer 20

Scientific methods Based on objective, an empirical techniques, such as controlled lab settings These are used in order to identify which hemisphere of the brain is responsible for which task For example, the split brain patients were only able to see what they saw when the images presented to the right visual field, which suggests that the left hemisphere is activated during language tasks This increases overall internal validity of split brain research Increases Psychology scientific status

Answer 21

Individual differences in the participants in relation to how lateralised their brain was The degree to which the corpus callosum severed for each patient varied greatly with some having a greater disconnection between the two hemispheres than others Weakness, because research may not be measuring the effects of lateralisation effectively Reduces internal validity

Answer 22

Patient EB EB suffered from brain damage which resulted in the removal of his left hemisphere and therefore his language centres Despite this after sometime, EB managed to regain some of his language ability which will not be possible if the brain is completely lateralised Demonstrates that the language must be in more areas than just left hemisphere Arguing against naturalisation of function in the brain

Answer 23

Plasticity is the brains ability to change and adapted structures and processes as a consequence of experience a new learning Synaptic pruning is where connections that are not used to regularly are deleted and ones that are used regularly are strengthened. Research suggests that any time in life existing neural connections can change or new new connections can be formed between neurons as a result of learning and experience. It is used to believe that these changes can only happen in infancy. An example of plasticity is functional recovery. This refers to the recovery of abilities and mental processes that have been affected as a result of brain damage or disease, the brain is able to rewire itself by forming new synapse connections, close to the damaged area of the brain, secondary neural pathways that would not typically be used to carry out certain functions activated to enable functioning to continue often in the same way, as before this process contains a number of structural changes in the brain: axonal sprouting and recruitment of the homologous areas. Axle sprouting is the growth of new nerve endings, which connect with other one damaged nerve cells to Form, and New neural pathway while recruitment of a homologous areas is wet areas of opposite sides of the brain, take over the function of damaged area of the brain.

Answer 24

Perseverance- believe there’s chance = more chance recovery Age - younger= more chance Gender - female= more chance Education - more educated= more chance Stress and alcohol - more drugs less recovery

Answer 25

Patient EB low pop val Practical applications

Answer 26

Patient EB EB suffered brain damage that resulted in the removal of his left hemisphere and therefore his language centres Despite this after sometime he managed to regain some of his language ability, which would not have been possible, if the brain was completely lateralised This suggests that Evie’s brain has experienced recruitment of the homologous areas and demonstrates the brain can adapt to produce language, even when the left hemisphere is not functioning or present Supports the idea of plasticity and functional recovery

Answer 27

Low pop val Case study involves one patient EB, who had suffered severe brain damage Which may have caused a unique changes in the brain that may have influenced the pasty and functional recovery of the brain Limits how will the research can be generalised to the wider population as different genders or age groups made experience different levels of plasticity in the brain Lowers external validity

Answer 28

Practical applications As the principles of the theory that it is possible for an individuals brain to recover from the damage to axonal sprouting has led to the development of neuro rehabilitation This is where the patient practices are repeatedly using the affected side of the body, e.g. an arm whilst restraining the unaffected arm Imports an area of applied psychology as it helps, treat people in the real world

Answer 29

Works by identifying changes in the level of oxygen in blood that occurs due to brain activity in specific areas When the brain area is more active in leads to more oxygen being used, and so there is increase blood flow to this active area Produces 3-D images showing which part of the brain is active called an activation map Has been used to identify which parts of the brain are active in particular mental processes

Answer 30

Much safer technique Highest spatial resolution

Answer 31

Much safer technique to measure a brain activity as it is non-invasive and does not use radiation to identify the differences in brain area This is unlike the use of PET scans which use radiation Therefore, more appropriate technique to use that could reduce the risk of potential harm to individuals

Answer 32

Have a higher spatial resolution than EEG and ERP, which is an important feature of brain scans because it can accurately identify specific brain areas involved in behaviour Depicting detail by the millimetre, and providing a clear image of how the brain is localised However Fmri has poorer temporal resolution as there is a round of five second time lag behind the image on the screen and the initial firing of neuronal activity Therefore Fmri may not truly represent moment to moment brain activity

Answer 33

Bring scanning technique which works by a lecture is being placed on the scalp using a skullcap Detect, small, electrical changes, resulting from the activity of brain cells Electrical signals are graft over a period of time to see a persons, general brain activity EEG are used to detect sleep patterns and states such as sleep or arousal Used as a diagnostic tool to help diagnose conditions such as brain, tumours and epilepsy

Answer 34

High in temporal resolution Low in spatial resolution

Answer 35

High in temporal resolution As it enables the researcher to take a real time, recording of brain activity, rather than a still image of the brain As is the case with the use of fmri or post-mortem Research a can gain a more accurate measure of the brain activity in a particular task Therefore, provides greater insight into the processes of the brain, such as the activity of the brain during sleep Increases validity as a way of starting to brain

Answer 36

Low in spatial resolution Can only provide information on general activity in the brain It cannot pinpoint the exact source of a neural activity that is involved in behaviour Unlike the use of ERP, which enable the researchers to identify specific brain activity in particular task Therefore, findings may be less valuable in developing our understanding than using alternative ways of scanning brain

Answer 37

Electrons are placed on the scalp ERP show specific brain activity Stimulus is presented to an individual many times and their brain activity is measured in the same way as an EEG However, all extraneous brain activity from the original e.g. recording is filtered out leaving only those responses that link to the presentation of the stimulus

Answer 38

High temporal resolution Hard to obtain meaningful data

Answer 39

High in temporal resolution, especially compared to Fmri This means ERP can identify brain activity every millisecond, so researchers can see brain activity in real time However, ERP have poorer spatial resolution than fmri can only detect a brain activity in general brain areas, rather than identified specific location of brain activity

Answer 40

It can be hard to obtain meaningful data from the use of ERP because they can be affected by external factors such as background noise which means that it can take many trials to obtain meaningful data as it is hard to control the other factors Limits validity of ERP is as a means of studying brain for a range of brain processes

Answer 41

The brain of a dead patient is examined and dissected to see if there are any physical/structural abnormalities The brain can be compared with a brain that does not show this particular behaviour or mental process It is mainly use of people who have rare disorder or defects What area of research has been the identification of broca area as an important brain area for speech production

Answer 42

Only invasive way Harc to establish cause-and-effect

Answer 43

This is the only invasive way to study the brain which means that it is possible to get a more detailed examination of the brain that would be possible to slowly using brain scanning techniques such as EEG and Erp For example, it has many researchers have been able to study deeper areas of the brain such as the hypothalamus which has helped understand brain functioning in many different behaviours

Answer 44

Is hard to establish cause-and-effect with post-mortem studies, as there are many confounding variables, which cannot easily be controlled Such as how long a person has had a particular disorder, age of time of death, or whether they have received drug treatment for the disorder Limits internal validity of findings

Answer 45

Circadian rhythm is a psycho that lasts for 24 hours, for example body temperature and sleep wake cycle

Answer 46

One example of a circadian rhythm is the sleep wake cycle, which is controlled by the master endogenous pacemaker the suprachiasmatic nucleus found in the hypothalamus. Our eyes notice a change the lights as it gets dark and less light is received by the retina. This sends information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus which stimulates the pineal gland to release melatonin and promote sleep. When our eyes detect light, the suprachiasmatic nucleus resets which maintains a sleep wake cycle to around 24 hours, so that we can be in synchrony with the outside world.

Answer 47

Siffre Low pop val Practical applications

Answer 48

Rts Siffre Isolated himself in a cave for six months where his biological clock was able to be running, free and unaffected by exogenous factors, such as clocks and natural light It was found that within a few days, he developed a consistent 24-hour cycle and continue to fall asleep and wake up on a regular schedule Therefore, this supports the sleep wake cycle is a circadian rhythm, which is mainly controlled by an endogenous pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

Answer 49

Low pop val Conducted as a case study with Siffre is the only Pattison, so it may not be appropriate to generalise the findings of the sleep, wake cycle beyond Siffre due to individual differences in circadian rhythms For example, all the peoples circadian rhythms may be slower and more easily influenced by exogenous Zeitgebers as even in one of Siffre later applications, he found out his own circadian rhythm, had slowed Lois external validity

Answer 50

Practical applications Basic principles of the theory that a circadian rhythm is around 24 hours and is maintained by endogenous pacemakers have given researchers a better understanding of the negative consequences that can occur as a result of disrupting their rhythm For example, not workers who experience shiftwork have a period of reduced concentration around 6 am, meaning mistakes, an accident and more likely. This can be used by employers to manage worker productivity which consequently improves the economy Important part of applied psychology

Answer 51

An infradian rhythm is a cycle that lasts longer than 24 hours, for example, the female menstrual cycle which operates approximately on a 28 day cycle

Answer 52

Menstrual cycle is an endogenous system, which typically last 20 to 35 days It begins on the first day of a woman’s period, when the room of the lining is shed to the day before her next period In the brain, the pituitary gland releases FSH, which activates the release of oestrogen from the ovary is causing the egg to mature The increase of oestrogen increases the levels of LH which promote the release of the egg Oestrogen develops the lining of the womb and progesterone helps it to grow thicker readying the womb for pregnancy If pregnancy does not occur, the egg is absorbed into the body, the womb lining comes away and leave the body and the cycle begins again Although the menstrual cycle is a mainly endogenous system that maintains the infradian rhythm can be affected by exogenous factors, such as stress and pheromones

Answer 53

Russell Low control over extraneous variables Research findings can be explained by evolutionary psychologists

Answer 54

Rtc that infradian rhythm, such as the menstrual cycle are mainly governed by endogenous system was conducted by Russell As the sample of women to wear cotton pads under their arm The pads with and worked on the upper lip of five sexually inactive women This process is repeated daily for five months They found that, for after the fire woman developed a menstrual cycles that synchronised within one day of the donorcycle Suggesting that infradian rhythm of menstrual cycle can be affected by exogenous factors, as well as controlled by endogenous factors, which influence the length of the infradian rhythm

Answer 55

Russell conducted a field experiment So had low control over extraneous variables Took part in the participants natural environment where other exogenous factors such as light changes in diet and stress, could’ve affected the infradian rhythm Difficult to establish cause-and-effect between the influence of pheromones on maintaining an infradian rhythm Weakens the extent to which what’s the research can contradict the importance of endogenous pacemakers and maintaining infradian rhythm

Answer 56

Despite the methodological flaws in infradian synchronisation studies, the research findings can be explained by evolutionary psychologists It would have been advantageous in at evolutionary past for social group to synchronise pregnancy, so that many women could be breastfeeding at the same time, so One!!!! mother could take over caring for an orphan child to improve chances of survival Therefore, showing that synchronisation of infradian rhythm is such as menstrual cycle is an adaptive strategy and supports exogenous factors influencing infradian rhythm

Answer 57

An ultra radian, rhythm is a biological rhythms occurs more frequently than once every 24 hours. One example is the stages of sleep.

Answer 58

This cycle lasts approximately 90 minutes and consists of five stages and alternates between R.E.M.(rapid eye movement where are the body is paralysed, the brain activity, closely resembles that of an a weak brain and the brain produces theta waves and the eyes occasionally move around) and then NREM( nonrapid eye movement which contains stages 1 through 4 of sleep. This is known as the escalator, a person can experience of the five cycles per night that repeat in a rhythmic pattern

Answer 59

Practical applications Scientific methods Low, ecological validity

Answer 60

Practical applications in understanding, age-related changes in sleep The knowledge that the growth hormone is produced during stage four sleep has been associated with sleep deficit in old age as research has found all the people experience less stage 4 sleep As a result, medication and relaxation techniques have been developed to increase the stage for sleep in all the individuals and therefore prevent some issues associated with old age, such as reduced alertness Important part of applied Psychology

Answer 61

Scientific methods Uses objective and empirical techniques such as EEG to measure brain activity, and controlled lab settings These scientifically measure the activity of the brain throughout the five stages of sleep, to identify the length of the rhythm and how many times of rhythm occurs throughout the duration of sleep, whilst excluding extraneous variables, that may affect sleep, such as noise and temperature Increases overall internal validity Raises Psychology’s scientific status

Answer 62

Low ecological validity Conducted in the artificial settings, so sleep experienced by participants in the study is may not reflect the genuine sleep patterns due to the unfamiliar surroundings and because they are attached to electrodes This may alter the length of Ultradian rhythm, making it difficult to generalise the findings to explain how old trading rhythms work

Answer 63

Endogenous pacemakers our internal factors which helps maintain a biological rhythms, is also saw the rhythms at in trained by exogenous zeitgebers such as lights and mealtimes

Answer 64

Sleep, wake cycle is controlled by the master endogenous pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Our eyes noticed a change the light as it gets dark and less light as a seat by the retina. This sends information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which stimulates the pineal gland to release melatonin and promote sleep when our eyes detect light again (exogenous zeitgebers) The suprachiasmatic nucleus is reset which stimulates the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and the pineal grand to inhibit the release of melatonin to promote wakefulness suggesting the sleep wake cycle is controlled by endogenous factors However, exogenous zeitgebers external factors which are in our environment, which can influence our sleep, wake cycle through entrainment, such as light, which resets the suprachiasmatic nucleus, suggesting a sleep, wake cycle, is not only influenced by endogenous pacemakers. Social cues such as mealtimes and social interactions can also influence our sleep wake cycle, making us less alert. Once we have finished our evening meal. Research suggests that adapting local eating and sleeping times before travelling to a different time zone can prevent jetlag suggesting that exogenous zeitgebers can influence the sleep, wake cycle

Answer 65

Decoursey Et al Animal bias Siffre

Answer 66

Rts Decoursey Destroyed, the suprachiasmatic nucleus connections in the brain of 30 chick, monks who are then returned to their natural habitat and observed for 80 days The sleep wake cycle of the chipmunks disappeared, and by the end of the study, a significant proportion of them had been killed by predators This may be because they’re awake and vulnerable to attack when they should’ve been asleep This, supposed to influence and importance of endogenous pacemakers, such as the suprachiasmatic nucleus on the maintenance of sleep, wake cycle as exogenous zeitgebers , alone were not able to maintain sleep, wake cycle of chipmunks

Answer 67

Animal bias Potentially a problem, because humans may have more complex biological rhythms to animals as they have higher mental functioning Therefore, there are issues with extrapolating the findings of the research to humans, which limits the extent to which Decoursey finding support the importance of endogenous pacemakers on the sleep, wake cycle

Answer 68

Siffre He lived in a cave, isolated from all exogenous zeitgebers such as clocks and lights for six months It was found that within a few days, he had developed a consistent 25 hour cycle and continue to fall asleep and wake up on a regular schedule. This suggests that the sleep wake cycle is controlled by an endogenous pacemaker. This supports the theory that the sleep wake cycle is primarily governed by the endogenous pacemaker, rather than exogenous zeitgebers