BLO: Part One: Short Answer Flashcards
Principles of BLOA
- Behavior can be innate because it is genetically based. Evolution may be a factor.
- Animal research can provide insight into human behavior.
- Thinking, emotions and behaviors are products of anatomy and physiology or our nervous and endocrine systems.
Brain localization
Specialization of particular brain areas for particular finctions
Brain lateralization
The division of tasks between the two hemispheres of the brain
Biological research methods (list)
- Experiments
- Case studies
- Postmortem studies
- Neuroimaging technologies
- Correlational studies
Ethical considerations (list)
- Informed consent
- Deception
- Debriefing
- Withdrawal
- Confidentiality
- Protection from physical and mental harm
mirror neurons
A neuron that fires both when witnessing an action and performing an action
brain plasticity
The brain’s ability to rearrange the connections between neurons
brain imaging technologies (list)
EEG: Electroencephalogram
PET: Positron Emissions Topography Scan
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan
fMRI: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan
genetic predisposition
Behavior will not be manifested without appropriate environmental stimuli
confirmation bias
A tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions
theory of evolution
The members of a species who have characteristics which are better suited to the environment will be more likely to survive, breed and pass on those traits
EEG
Electroencephalogram: Detects electrical activity
PET
Positron Emissions Topography Scan: patient injected with radioactive glucose which maps brain activity and records biochemical changes as they occur
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan: magnetic fields and radio frequencies produce vibrations in the nuclei of atoms, which a computer picks up and converts into a picture
fMRI
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan: provides 3D pictures of brain structures using magnetic fields and radio waves