Ch. 8: Anatomy & Physiology of Personality Flashcards
Interneurons
short/no axons, regulate transmissions btw nerve cells
3 main methods to study the brain
brain damage, brain stimulation, brain imaging
Brain area that can stimulate depression
substantia nigra
Describe transcranial magnetic stimulation & what it’s used for
- rapidly changing magnetic fields to temporarily turn off areas of brain activity
- virtual lesion, psychological task
EEG vs MEG & purpose of both
- electrodes pick up electric signals of brain activity
- sensors detect magnetic activity
-when brain is active (not good at where)
Describe PET scans
- maps brain via radioactive tracer injection
- follows blood flow of brain activity
Describe fMRI
- activity mapped by monitoring magnetic pulses from oxygen in blood
- measures differences in brain activation
Amygdala fxns (6)
- perceptions abt things w emotional meaning
- determine threat/reward
- ANX, fear, sociability, sexuality
Left frontal lobe fxns (4)
- approach smt pleasant
- inhibit responses to unpleasant stim
- very active: emotional stability
- propensity to get angry
Right frontal lobe fxns
- withdraw from unpleasant/frightening stim
- very active: neuroticism
Consequences of right frontal lobe damage (Gage, Elliott)
- less excitable & emotional
- inability to understand others’ emotions & regulation own impulses & feelings
- inability to make good decisions
Damasio’s Somatic Marker Hypothesis
emotions allow ppl to make decisions that maximize food outcomes/minimize bad ones & focus on what’s imp
Capgras Syndrome
- right FL injury
- believe family = imposters
-lose ability for positive emotional response when recognizing loved one
Where is the cingulate?
in cortex on top of corpus callosum
Posterior cingulate fxns (2)
- processing info abt time & space
- reacting fast to threatening situations
