Chapter 1: The Origins of Brain and Behavior

Question 1

Spinal Cord

Answer 1

part of CNS encased within the vertebrae (spinal column); provides most of the connections between the brain and the rest of the body

Question 2

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 2

brain and spinal cord, together mediate behavior

Question 3

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 3

all neurons in the body outside the brain and spinal cord; provides sensory and motor connections to and from the CNS

Question 4

Cerebrum (forebrain)

Answer 4

major structure of the forebrain that has two mirror image hemispheres and is responsible for most conscious behavior

Question 5

Brainstem (hindbrain)

Answer 5

central structure of the brain, responsible for most unconscious behavior; source of behavior in simpler animals; curved in humans vs non-humans (because how we stand)

Question 6

Cerebellum (hindbrain)

Answer 6

major brain stem structure specialized for learning and coordinating movements; assists the cerebrum in generating many behaviors

Question 7

Embodied Behavior Theory

Answer 7

movements we make and perceive are central to communication; findings suggest brain needs stimuli/perception of movement to function properly and be conscious (brain in jar idea)

Question 8

Simple vs Complex Nervous System Behaviors

Answer 8

Narrow range of behavior (more innate as well) vs a wider ranged of behavior (more learned)

Question 9

Mentalism

Answer 9

Aristotle’s explanation of behavior as a function of the mind (psyche) which was a nonmaterial entity; believed brain functioned solely to cool blood

Question 10

Dualism

Answer 10

the nonmaterial mind (rational behavior) and the material body (physical principles) both contribute to behavior; believed the mind instructed the pineal gland; “mind-body” problem arose from this

Question 11

Materialism

Answer 11

behavior can be explained as a function of the nervous system without explanatory recourse to the mind

Question 12

Darwin’s contributions

Answer 12

“On the Origin of Species” and his theory of evolution by natural selection; documented fossil record, structural similarities between species and selective breeding; struck by similarities between species’

Question 13

Phenotype

Answer 13

set if individual characteristics that can be seen or measured

Question 14

Genotype

Answer 14

particular genetic makeup of an individual; particular genotypes express similar phenotypes

Question 15

Epigenetics

Answer 15

the difference in gene expression related to environment and experience

Question 16

The 3 Types of Selection

Answer 16

1) Stabilizing: genetic diversity decreases
2) Disruptive: extreme values for a trait favored over intermediate; variance increases and population divided
3) Directional: extreme favored and a shift in that direction

Question 17

The 3 Types of Evolution

Answer 17

1) Divergent: accumulation of differences between groups that can lead to a new species (different habitats)
2) Convergent: evolve similarly to adapt to similar habitats/niches
3) Parallel: independent evolution of similar traits in different habitats

Question 18

Eliminative Materialism

Answer 18

if behavior can be adequately explained without recourse to the mind, the mental explanation should be eliminated

Question 19

Animalia

Answer 19

only kingdom with muscles and a nervous system; together they evolved to underlie the forms of movement that distinguish members of the animal kingdom

Question 20

The Evolution of Brain and Behavior (7)

Answer 20

1) Neurons and muscles: allowed movement
2) Nerve net: simple NS with no centre (like PNS)
3) Bilateral symmetry: nervous system of one side mirrors that of the other (navigation)
4) Segmentation: repeating nervous system segments (vertebrae)
5) Ganglia: resemble primitive brains with control centres (encephalization:brain in head)
6) Spinal cord: single nervous system path that connects the brain with sensory receptors and muscles
7) Brain: only the phylum Chordata have a true brain

Question 21

Chordate NS Characteristics

Answer 21

are bilaterally symmetrical and segmented; have a brain and spinal cord; have crossed organization in brain (left hemi receives info from right); have a brain stem;

Question 22

Cladogram

Answer 22

displays a group of related organisms as branches on a tree

Question 23

Emergence of complex behavior

Answer 23

cerebrum and cerebellum (only birds and mammals)

Question 24

Principle of proper mass

Answer 24

species with more complex behaviors will exhibit relatively larger brains

Question 25

Encephalization quotient

Answer 25

ratio of brain to body size; humans have greatest then dolphins; cat has an EQ of 1 (it is based off them)

Question 26

Australopithecus

Answer 26

our distant ancestor with a brain 1/3 our size (same size as an ape)

Question 27

The first human progression (4)

Answer 27

H. habilis –> H. erectus –> H. neaderthalensis –> H. sapiens

Question 28

Reasons the Hominid brain enlarged (4)

Answer 28

1) Climate: spreading grasslands and fewer trees lead to upright posture and toolmaking
2) Primate lifestyle: foraging behavior is more complex (finding fruit, more social)
3) Physiology: smaller bones in head = changes in diet; better brain coding
4) Development/maturation: extended infancy = more brain cells and post natal maturation

Question 29

Neotony

Answer 29

juvenile stages of predecessors become adults of descendants (child chimp = adult human)