Introduction Flashcards
The process by which an individual changes in the course of its lifetime – that is, grows up and grows old
Ontogeny
The state of awareness of one’s own existence, thoughts, emotions, and experience
consciousness
the concept that different brain regions specialize in specific behaviors
localization of function
the turning on or off of specific genes
gene expression
a field of study devoted to asking how natural selection has shaped behavior in humans and other animals
evolutionary psychology
the notion, promoted by René Descartes, that the mind has an immaterial aspect that is distinct from the material body and brain.
dualism
the study of the nervous system
neuroscience
the ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience of the environment
neuroplasticity
the creation of new neurons in the brain of an adult
adult neurogenesis
the study of factors that affect gene expression without making any changes in the nucleotide sequence of the genes themselves
epigenetic
the study of brain mechanisms at work during economic decision making
neuroeconomics
The belief that bumps on the skull reflect enlargements of brain regions responsible for certain behavioral faculties
Phrenology
The study of the biological bases of psychological processes and behavior. Also called biological psychology, brain and behavior, and physiological psychology.
Behavioral Neuroscience
A field of study that uses the tools of neuroscience to discover both the biological bases of social behavior and the effects of social circumstances on brain activity.
Social Neuroscience