Chapter 4A Flashcards
The Brain VS Heart Debate
historical debate as to whether it is the heart or the brain responsible for mental processes, such as thought, emotion and behaviour.
The Heart ( Ancient Egypt )
- Ancient Egyptians perceived the heart, rather than the brain, to be the primary source of human psychology and wisdom.
- in the afterlife, the heart would testify for the goodness of the deceased
The Brain ( Ancient Egypt )
The brain was deemed to be a relatively useless organ and was often discarded after death.
The Brain ( Ancient Greece )
- ancient Greek philosophers believed the brain was solely responsible for mental functions including personality and logic.
Galen
- was the first to prove that the brain controls speech and suggested that the brain controlled other parts of the body too
- led the discovery of how nerves work in the body.
Mind - Body Problem
- the philosophical question as to whether our mind is separate and distinguished from our body or whether they are one integrated entity.
- two opposing views of the mind-body problem: Dualism, Monism
Dualism
- the belief that the human mind and body are separate and distinguishable from one another.
Monism
- the belief that the human mind and body are together: a singular, complete entity.
Wilhelm Wundt
Considered the father of modern psychology. He founded the first laboratory for psychology in 1879.
What is phrenology?
The study of the size and shape of the human skull to determine personality and mental functioning.
What did phrenologists believe?
That measuring bumps and grooves on the skull could indicate intelligence, personality, and mental capacity.
Who developed phrenology and when?
Franz Gall in 1796.
What was Gall’s theory about the brain?
He proposed that the human brain was made up of 27 ‘mind organs,’ each with a distinct physical location and function.
How did Gall and Spurzheim expand phrenology?
They created maps outlining brain regions and suggested that using a brain region made it grow larger, which could be felt through the skull.
How did phrenology influence psychology?
It introduced the idea that different brain areas have different functions and contributed to our understanding of synaptic plasticity and cortical representation.
What is ablation?
The surgical removal, destruction, or cutting of a region of tissue.
How does ablation contribute to neuroscience?
It helps us learn about the localisation of function (the role of each brain area) and the brain’s ability to rework itself (synaptic plasticity).
Who was Pierre Flourens, and what did he determine?
He practiced ablation and determined that the brain is distinct from the body.
What is brain lesioning?
The practice of inducing or studying the effects of damage to an area of the brain.
How does brain lesioning help neuroscience?
It helps make inferences about lateralisation of function by observing capacity after damage and has contributed to identifying and treating stroke symptoms.
What is split-brain research?
The process of severing the corpus callosum so that each hemisphere’s functions are separated.
What is hemispheric specialisation?
The concept that each cerebral hemisphere (left and right) has different functions.
Who conducted research on split-brain patients?
Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga.
What are neuroimaging techniques?
A range of techniques used to capture images of the brain’s structure, function, and activities.
How is neuroimaging used in research?
It captures images of the brain while a research participant completes specific tasks, allowing researchers to see which brain areas are activated.
What are the two types of neuroimaging techniques?
Structural and functional.
What do structural neuroimaging techniques do?
They produce images of the brain’s structure and composition (what it looks like).
What are examples of structural neuroimaging techniques?
CT (Computed Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
What do functional neuroimaging techniques do?
They produce images of brain structures while also showing activity and function within them.
What are examples of functional neuroimaging techniques?
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
What is Computerised Tomography (CT)?
A technique that takes continuous 2D X-ray images of the brain, which are stacked to create a 3D image.
What is contrast in a CT scan?
A dye ingested before the scan to help highlight the brain.
What are CT scans used for?
Diagnosing haemorrhages, clots, cancer, and neurodegeneration.
What are the strengths of CT scans?
They do not need to be used frequently.
What are the weaknesses of CT scans?
They only produce black-and-white images and involve radiation exposure.
What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?
A technique using magnetic and radio fields to take 2D and 3D images of the brain.
How does MRI work?
The magnetic field causes brain atoms to move and organize, which is captured by a computer.
What are the strengths of MRI?
It is less harmful than a CT scan and produces detailed, colored images.
What are the weaknesses of MRI?
It cannot be used by people with pacemakers, screws, or other metal devices.
What is Positron Emission Tomography (PET)?
A scanning technique that takes colored images of brain activity by tracing a radioactive substance.
How does PET indicate brain activity?
A color key shows activity levels, e.g., red indicates high activity.
What are the strengths of PET?
It allows researchers to see the function of specific brain areas.
What are the weaknesses of PET?
It is invasive because the patient must ingest a radioactive glucose substance.
What is Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)?
A technique using magnetic and radio fields to take 2D and 3D images of the brain and record its activity levels.
How does fMRI measure brain activity?
By tracing biochemical changes, primarily oxygen levels.
What are the strengths of fMRI?
It provides high-quality images and does not require invasive measures.
