chapter 4 Flashcards
the mind-body problem, cerebral cortex and the three layers of the brain, hemispheric specialisation, phrenology, brain scans
What are some of the functions of the cerebral cortex?
- Perception
- Learning
- Memory
- Language
- Thinking
- Problem solving
What are some of the specialisations of the left hemisphere?
- Logic and reasoning
- Analytical tasks
- Time management
- Verbal tasks
- Interconnectedness
- Planning a holiday
- Following a recipe
- Voluntary movements / sensory info from the right side of the body
- Reading, writing and speaking
What are some of the specialisations of the right hemisphere?
- Visual imagery
- Creative thinking
- Voluntary movements / sensory info from the left side of the body
- Spatial thinking
- Intuition
- Non-verbal function
Define “hemispheric specialisation”
The theory that one hemisphere has more control, or “specialised function” over specific parts / areas of the brain.
Where are the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes located?
Frontal: front of the brain
Parietal: middle back
Occipital: lower back
Temporal: the underside of the brain
What are the individual roles of the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes?
Frontal: Similar functions to cerebral cortex,motor control
Parietal: Recieves and processes sensory information
Occipital: Recieves and processes visual information
Temporal: Receives and processes auditory information
What are the cortex/areas associated with the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes?
Frontal: Primary motor cortex, Broca’s area
Parietal: Primary somatosensory cortex
Occipital: Primary visual cortex
Temporal: Primary auditory cortex, Wernicke’s area
What do each of the cortex/areas do?
Primary auditory cortex: recieves and processes auditory information, allows us to comprehend speech and language
Primary motor cortex: controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscle
Primary somatosensory cortex: receives and processes sensory information (specifically touch, temp and pressure)
Primary visual cortex:
recieves and processes visual information sent from the eyes
Broca’s area: lets us speak clearly and fluently, also controls our facial muscles
Wernicke’s area: plays a role in the comprehension of speech, vocabulary and how we speak; we can’t understand words until they have passed through this area
What are the structures and functions of the hindbrain?
Pons: Part of the brainstem, handles automatic processes like sleep cycle, hearing
Medulla: Part of the brainstem: transmits signals between brain and spinal cord; controls heart and breathing
What are the structures and functions of the forebrain?
Cerebrum: Outermost layer of the brain;
Thalamus: All sensory info must pass through here before going to the cerebral cortex; involved in processing
Hypothalamus: Manages temp, hunger, thirst, mood, sex drive, blood pressure, etc
What are the structures and functions of the midbrain?
Reticular formation: Part of the brainstem; assists all brain functions in a limited capacity
Define phrenology, and explain why it is a pseudoscience.
Phrenology believed that the skull surface would reveal things about a person’s brain / personality. It is a pseudoscience because it has no scientific or medical basis.
Define the mind-body problem.
A theory / debate about whether our mind and body are either two seperate entities or one whole entity.
Define the difference between functional and structural brain scans.
Structural brain scans show the physical structure and appearance of the brain.
Functional brain scans show the activity within the brain at any given time.
