Chapter 3: Biological Psychology Flashcards
biological psychology
the science of the biological processes underlying or influencing mind + behavior
phrenology
-“bumpology”
-assumed that enlargements of the skull corresponded to brain enlargements, + that these brain enlargements were linked directly to different psychological capacities
electroencephalogram (EEG)
measures electric potentials across the brain to assess narcolepsy, late-stage Alzeimer’s, or seizure disorders
computed tomography (CT or CAT Scan)
use stacks of x-rays + computer processing to inspect 2D organ structure + composition
MRI
brain structural details, detecting tumors
PET
change in brain activity in response to stimuli, injection of radioactive glucose-like molecules (cancer activity)
fMRI
change in blood oxygen level, neural activity (cancer activity)
MEG
uncommon
-similar to EEG in recording neuronal activity but has a greater spatial + temporal resolution by measuring magnetic instead of electrical field
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
improving brain function in cases like depression, migraine, OCD, + nicotine use
deep brain stimulation (DBS)
treats tremors, Parkinson’s, + OCD
localization of function
-many parts of the brain contribute to each specific task
-because brain areas pariticpate in multiple functions, many cognitive functions cannot be neatly localized
Broca’s area
produces speech
Wernicke’s area
understanding + processing speech
temporal lobe
hearing + memory
left hemisphere function
-fine-tuned language skills
-actions
right hemisphere function
-coarse language skills
-visuospatial skills
what do action potentials do?
action potentials carry electrical current through neurons via axonal projections
what do electrical events do?
transmit information within neurons
what do chemical events do?
chemical events triggered by neurotransmitters orchestrate communication among neurons
where do neurotransmitters bind?
to receptor sites along dendrites
how can neurotransmission be halted?
by the reuptake of the neurotransmitter back into the axon terminal, reabsorbed by the synaptic vesicle
role of neurotransmitters
may excite or inhibit the nervous system or inhibit the nervous system, play a role in movement, pain perception, thinking, + emotion
neurotransmitters
-dopamine
-acetylcholine
-adrenaline (epinephrine)
-serotonin
-norepineprhine
-met- enkephalin (an endorphin)
-GABA
-glutamate
-histamine
-anandamide (an endocannabinoid)
which neurotransmitter is an endocannabinoid?
anandamide
which neurotransmitter is an endorphin?
met- enkephalin
glial
support neurofunctioning
-many different names based on location + function
ratio of glial to neurons
1:1
astrocytes
line around synapses to increase uptake
neural plasticity over development
-growth of dendrites + axons
-synaptogenesis
-pruning
-myelination
neurogenesis
creation of new neurons in the adult brain
stem cells
cells, often originating in embryos, having the capacity to differentiate into more specialized cells
limbic system
part of forebrain
-evolutionarily significant region for its function in encoding emotional salience + driving motivated behaviors
amygdala
part of forebrain
-fear processing + emotion
midbrain function
-movement
-tracking visual stimuli
-reflexes triggered by sound
cerebellum
little brain, part of the hindbrain
-corresponds to sense of balance, coordinate movement, + learning motor skills
reticular activating system (RAS)
in hindbrain
-corresponds to arousal
pons
in hindbrain
-triggers dreams
-connects cortex to cerebellum
medulla
in hindbrain
-regulates breathing, heartbeat, + other vital functions
-controls nausea + vomiting
brain stem
part of hindbrain
-performs basic bodily functions
spinal cord
part of hindbrain
sympathetic
excitation driven by the pituitary gland
parasympathetic
inhibition driven by the vagus nerve
innervation
activation of a nerve
what produces counteracting physiological responses?
sympathetic + parasympathetic innervation
peripheral nervous system splits into
somatic + autonomic nervous systems
autonomic nervous systems
parasympathetic + sympathetic
motor nerves
communicate to muscles
sensory nerves
transmit sensory information to brain
internerves
communicate with only other nerves
evolutionary psychology
discipline that applies Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection to human + animal behavior
-many genes that human have are shared with other living things
endocrinology
a chemical produced by glands is released into the bloodstream to influence target organs
3 classes of hormones
-cholesterol-derived (steroids)
-amines
-peptide-derived
endocrine system
network of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream
pituitary gland
-master gland
-controls other glands
what controls the pituitary gland?
hypothalamus
what hormones does pituitary gland release
variety of hormones, including oxytocin
where is oxytocin synthesized?
hypothalamus
what releases oxytocin into bloodstream?
posterior pituitary
function of oxytocin
supports child birth process
adrenal glands
emergency centers of the body
what hormones do adrenal glands produce?
adrenaline
cortisol
adrenaline is also known as…
epinephrine
functions of adrenaline/ephinephrine
-boost energy production
-slow down digestive tract
-open up lungs
-enlarge pupils
cortisol functions
-increases to stressors
-regulate BP
sex is a ____ construct
biological construct
what (regarding sex) is unique to humans?
gender identity
men/women are more reactive to visual stimuli?
men
men/women are more reactive to emotional stimuli
women
genetic expression
genotype to phenotype
genotype
genetic information
phenotype
observable physical traits
-can extend to unseen attributes like aggression or vulnerability to disease
epigenetics
examines how environmental influences affect gene expression, behavior + mental health
heritability
% of variabilities in a trait across individuals that is the result of genes
-applies to differences among individuls not a single individual
-doesn’t tell whether a trait can be changed
-not a fixed #
family studies
extent to which characteristic “runs” in intact families
-analyzes interply of genetic + environmental factors in expressed traits within a family unit
twin studies
identical vs fraternal
-influence of genetic factors on phenotype
adoption studies
extent to which children resemble adoptive vs biological parents
-influence of environmental factors on phenotype
