Intro to Cognition & Emotion

Question 1

define cognition

Answer 1

our inner dialogue. the ability to conduct thought processing.

Question 2

which hemisphere tends to specialize towards language and which towards visuospatial functioning?

Answer 2

language in the left hemisphere.

Visuospatial in the right hemisphere.

Question 3

Luria’s brain behaviour theory stipulates 3 basic units of the CNS:

Answer 3

1. Brainstem and associated areas: arousal & muscle tone
2. posterior cortical areas - reception, interpretation and integration of sensory info
3. frontal and prefrontal lobes: planning, executing and verifying behaviour

NB: much more complex than this, damage to any area can result in dysfunction

Question 4

what is the theoretical neural system involved in emotion?

Answer 4

limbic system: made up of amygdala, septal area, nucleus accumbens, and orbitofrontal cortex

Question 5

what are clinical manifestations of amygdala dysfunction?

Answer 5

depression, anxiety

-Kluver-Bucy syndrome: following bilateral temporal lobectomy causing tameness/loss of fear

Question 6

function of orbitofrontal cortex? dysfunction symptoms?

Answer 6

identification and expression of emotion.

lesions–>reduced facial expression and affect

–>reduced volume of orbitofrontal cortex seen in patients with depression

Question 7

how is hippocampus dysfunction related to depression?

Answer 7

serotonin abnormality and stress

–>reduced volume of hippocampus seen in depression (may result from depression of predispose patients to depression)

Question 8

what is the key theory used in most cognitive based therapies for mood and emotional disorders?

Answer 8

cognitive appraisal theory: congnitive processing is integral to emotional states and cognitive appraisal directly impacts the physiological stress response