Brain & Behaviour Flashcards
Define Mental representation
the sense in which properties of the outside world (e.g. colours, objects) are copied/simulated by cognition
Define Neural representation
the way in which properties of the outside world manifest themselves in the neural signal (e.g. different spiking rates for different stimuli)
Define Dualism
The mind (eternal) and body (mortal) are separate substances (Descartes)
○ The “soul” (the mind) controls the movements of the muscles through its influence on the pineal body
○ The eyes send visual information to the brain, where it could be examined by the soul.
○ When the soul decided to act, it would tilt the pineal body, which would divert pressurized fluid through nerves to the appropriate muscles.
What did Luigi Galvani find?
- Electrical stimulation of frog’s nerve caused contraction of attached muscle
- Ability of muscle to contract and ability of nerve to send a message to muscle were characteristics of the tissues themselves
- Brain did not inflate muscles by directing pressurized fluid/air through the nerve (balloonist theory)
What is the Dual-aspect theory?
mind and body are two levels of explanation of the same thing (e.g. photons: wave-particle duality)
Define Reductionism
The mind is explained solely in terms of physical/biological theory
- These issues still relevant to modern cognitive neuroscience Most psychologists deal with generalization
Type of explanation; general conclusion based on many observations of a similar phenomenon.
What are the effects of a severed corpus callosum?
Information can not be shared between the two hemispheres
What is the testing setup to test how severing the corpus callosum affects how the brain responds to visual stimuli?
The split brain patient fixates on a dot in the centre of the screen one image is projected to the left or right visual field. He is asked to identify verbally what he sees.
What were the results and conclusions of the visual test on the split-brain patients?
- Spoon presented in right visual field = Ps answer “spoon”
- Spoon in left visual field = Ps answer “i see nothing”
When the left hemisphere (can speak) sees spoon in Right VF Ps answer correctly.
When Right Hemi (can’t speak) sees spoon in left VF, Ps don’t respond.
Describe the experiment to test: how can the right hemisphere of a spit-brain subject show that it knows information?
Tactile test
The spilt brain Ps is asked to use left hand to pick out object shown on screen to the left VF (right hemis)
What were the results and conclusions of the tactile test on the split-brain patients?
The Ps chooses the spoon with L.hand because R.hemi sees spoon and controls L.hand.
if R.hand forced to choose, it will do so by chance because no stimulus is shown to L.hemi.
Describe the procedure used to test olfaction in split-brain patients.
Left nostril plugged. Perfume with aroma of rose is presented to right nostril. Olfactory information sent to R.hemi.
R.hemi controls L.hand so Ps pick up rose with L.hand.
Whilst L.hemi controls speech = Ps deny smelling anything
Describe the brain structure.
- Soft, jellylike structure; weight = 1400g (approx)
- Large mass of neurons, glia and other supporting cells
- The brain accounts for only 2% of body weight
- The most protected organ in the body, encased in a tough bony skull and floating in CSF fluid
What is the name entry point of the spinal cord into the skull?
Foramen Magnum
What is the Meninges?
The membranous coverings of the brain and spinal cord.
Has 3 layers: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
These coverings have 2 major functions: Provide a supportive framework for the cerebral and cranial vasculature.
