Chapter 2 Vocab Terms

Question 1

Face blindness

Answer 1

Prosopagnosia

Question 2

a specialized mechanism in the brain that performs a specific function

Answer 2

Module

Question 3

The idea of a separate, nonphysical mind.
The mind exists outside of the brain and body, both receiving info from the brain and directing the body via the brain.

Rene Descartes

Answer 3

Dualism

Question 4

Treats the mind as entirely a product of the brain.
All cognition has a neural basis; there is no mind without the brain.

Answer 4

Materialism

Question 5

The interdisciplinary study of the neural mechanisms of cognition and behavior

Answer 5

Cognitive neuroscience

Question 6

The principle that different brain areas serve different perceptual and cognitive skills.

Answer 6

Functional specialization

Question 7

Cells in the nervous system

Answer 7

Neurons

Question 8

Recieves input from sensory receptors or other neurons

Branches of a tree

Answer 8

Dendrites

Question 9

Receives input and provides the metabolic machinery for the neuron

Cell body

Answer 9

Soma

Question 10

Transmits signals to other neurons

Answer 10

Axon

Question 11

If the input from the dendrites and cell body exceeds a threshold, which corresponds to a decision to fire, an electrical signal is generated down the length of the axon.

“All-or-nothing”

Answer 11

Action potential

Question 12

The electrical signal triggers the release of chemicals at the end of the axon, which is how neurons communicate with other networked neurons

Answer 12

Neurotransmitters

Question 13

Neurons communicate via neurotransmitters across gaps called ____

Answer 13

Synapses

Question 14

What are the terms for the sending and receiving neuron

The sending neuron can either facilitate or inhibit the firing of the receiving neuron, depending on the type of neurotransmitter that is released

Answer 14

Presynaptic and postsynaptic

Question 15

Connections between neurons.
Their strength can change with learning and experience.

Answer 15

Plastic

Question 16

More numerous than neurons and provide both structural and funcitonal support to the neurons

Answer 16

Glial cells

Question 17

The most prominent feature of the brain’s anatomy is that it is organized into two halves called the left and right ____

Answer 17

Hemispheres

Question 18

A massive interconnection between the two hemispheres.
A large bundle of neural fibers (axons) forming an information highway.

Answer 18

Corpus callosum

Question 19

When the corpus callosum is severed.

Answer 19

Split-brain

Question 20

The outer layer of each hemisphere is a thin, folded sheet of neurons

“Tree bark”

Answer 20

Cerebral cortex

Question 21

Devoted to visual perception.

Answer 21

Occipital lobe

Question 22

Important for complex perception, memory, and language

Answer 22

Temporal lobe

Question 23

Involved in thinking, planning, and decision making

Answer 23

Frontal lobe

Question 24

Important for controlling action

Answer 24

Parietal lobe

Question 25

Their ability to pinpoint **where** neural activity occurs | methods in the context of face perception

Answer 25

Spatial resolution

Question 26

Their ability to pinpoint **when** neural activity occurs | methods in the context of face perception

Answer 26

Temporal resolution

Question 27

Their impact on the individual whose brain is being studied, which determines how practically and broadly scientists can use them | methods in the context of face perception

Answer 27

Invasiveness

Question 28

Studies the behavioral consequences of brain damage

Answer 28

Neuropsychology

Question 29

Small area in the left frontal lobe. The neurologist described a patient who could not speak but who could understand langauge. | Paul ____

Answer 29

Broca's area

Question 30

Area in the left temportal lobe. The neurologist discovered a patient who could speak but could not comprehend language. | Carl ____

Answer 30

Wernicke's area

Question 31

The ability to directly measure electrical activity from neurons using electrodes.

Answer 31

Electrophysiology

Question 32

An area in the occipital lobe that recieves visual information from the eyes

Answer 32

Primary visual cortex

Question 33

A grid of electrodes placed directly on top of the cortex. Requires invasive surgery, is placed for medical reasons (such as epilepsy patients) | ECoG

Answer 33

Electrocorticography

Question 34

Uses electrodes on the scalp to detect and amplify global electrical activity. Less invasive. | EEG

Answer 34

Electroencephalography

Question 35

The EEG pattern in response to a stimulus or task | ERP

Answer 35

Event-related potential

Question 36

Uses medical technologies to noninvasively study brain activity. Originally developed for clinical purposes, medical imaging provides detailed views of internal body structures and abnormalities ranging from fractures to tumors.

Answer 36

Functional brain imaging

Question 37

The most widely used technique for studying cognition. Initially developed to provide detailed images of internal organs and other soft tissues. Shaped like tubes. | MRI

Answer 37

Magnetic response imaging

Question 38

Measures and localizes blood oxygen levels throughout the brain | fMRI

Answer 38

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

Question 39

This signal increases with increased brain activity. Can be plotted on the structural image to show where brain activity is changing. Neurons us more oxygen when active. | fMRI, BOLD

Answer 39

Blood oxygen level-dependent

Question 40

When people confuse a correlation as a cause and effect.

Answer 40

Correlation and causation problem

Question 41

Ways to stimulate or disrupt brain activity to study casual effects on perceptual and cognitive function

Answer 41

Brain stimulation

Question 42

A method to temporarily disrupt brain activity using focal magnetic pulses targeted over different areas of the scalp | TMS

Answer 42

Transcranial magnetic stimulation