Exam 1: Chapters 1-3 Flashcards
Physiological psychology
The scientific study of the relationship between biology and behavior/mental processes
I.e. How your behavior and mental processes relate to the biology of your body
What is the mind-body problem?
Does the body control the mind or does the mind control the body?
Dualism main concepts - Rene Descartes
The mind and body are separate entities…but they can interact.
- the mind is unique to humans…a gift from God
Free will vs. Reflexes
- Free will is controlled by the mind (voluntary)
- Reflexes are controlled by the body (involuntary)
What is Monism?
The mind is the brain
- Based on the concept of determinism (the way you think, feel, and behave is determined by the laws of physics)
Goals of Scientific Research (4)
- Describe
- Explain
- Predict
- Control
What is generalization?
Drawing general conclusions based on many observations of similar phenomena
What is reduction?
Describing a phenomenon in terms of the more elementary processes that underlie it
What is some evidence that the mind is a product of the brain?
Split-brain studies: the cerebral hemispheres are cut at the corpus callosum.
What are the effects of a split-brain surgery?
Briefly after surgery, behavioral side effects occur, which is due to the hemispheres acting differently. One hemisphere appears to work at an unconscious level.
Example of split-brain study effects
A woman smelled something with her right nostril and chose the object with her left hand. She chose the right object but was not aware of what it was until her blindfold was taken off.
- This supports the idea that your consciousness is interrupted when the physical communication of the brain is interrupted
Two categories of historical psychology
- Philosophy- Descartes (dualism), Empiricists
2. Biology- Descartes (reflexes), Galvani, Mueller, Hemholtz, Darwin
Types of models
Descartes- hydraulic statues as models for reflexes
Animal models & computer models
What is a limitation of using a computer as a model?
Serial versus parallel processing
Serial (computer) - one piece of information at a time
Parallel (humans) - much more complicated
What is the doctrine of specific nerve energies and who is responsible for this finding?
Mueller (1800s)
Although all nerve fibers carry action potentials, our perception of these messages depends on the particular nerve fibers that are active
What is Darwin’s Theory of Evolution?
A gradual change in the physiology of an organism that results in development of different and often more complex organisms
Explain Natural selection
Mutations that confer a selective advantage are more likely to be passed onto future generations
Explain functionalism
We can better understand a physical or behavioral/mental trait by understanding its function for the organism
What are some ethical issues in research with animals?
- research should be humane and worthwhile
- there are many guidelines to be followed when using animals in research
What are some fields related to biopsychology?
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Neuropsychology
Either need a Ph.D or M.D. (Experimental vs clinical)
What is basic research?
Research conducted not because you want to use that information but to discover how something works or just answer a question
What is applied research?
Conducting a study with a particular goal in mind that somehow improves life
What are the two major types of cells in the nervous system?
- Neurons
2. Glia
About how many neurons are in the human brain?
Approximately 100-1000 billion neurons in the human brain
Why are brain injuries so dangerous?
Neuronal reproduction is relatively rare…they cannot be replaced
What is the basic structure of a neuron?
Please draw and label the parts.
A neuron is composed of a soma (cell body), dendrites, an axon, and axon terminals.
Types of neurons (based on function) (3) and functions
- Sensory neurons - detect changes in the environment and send this information to the CNS
- Motor neurons- controls the contraction of muscles
- Interneurons- transmit information between other neurons (between sensory & motor)
Types of neurons (based on structure) (3)
- Unipolar- neurons that have one fiber that acts as both an axon and a dendrite
- Bipolar- neurons that have two processes (one axon and one dendrite)
- Multipolar- neurons that have multiple processes (one axon, multiple dendrites)
What is the “wall” of a cell called?
The cell membrane
What is the fluid inside the cells that contains organs?
Cytoplasm
Which part of the cell makes ATP?
Mitochondria
Which part of the cell contains the chromosomes, genes, and DNA?
Cell nucleus
Which part of the cell provides a support structure and serves as a “transportation system?”
The cytoskeleton
Important aspects of the cell membrane
- It is semipermeable
- It is a lipid bilayer
- It contains embedded functional proteins
What are glia? What types are there?
They are the support cells of the nervous system.
- Astrocytes
- Microglia
- Oligodendrocytes
- Schwann cells
What are the functions of each glia?
- Astrocytes provide support and help form the BBB.
- Microglia are phagocytes; they destroy foreign invaders and debris.
- Oligodendrocytes produce myelin for CNS neurons.
- Schwann cells produce Myelin for the PNS neurons.
What is the resting potential of a neuron?
-70 mV
What types of ions are involved in an action potential?
- Protein anions (A-)
- Potassium ions (K+)
- Sodium ions (Na+)
- Chloride ions (Cl-)
Where is the majority of concentration of protein anions?
Inside the cell
Where is the majority of concentration of potassium ions?
Inside the cell