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IB Psychology > Localisation + Neurotransmission + Neuroplasticity > Flashcards

Localisation + Neurotransmission + Neuroplasticity Flashcards

1
Q

Define localisation

A

specific areas of the cerebral cortex have specialised physical + psychological functions

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2
Q

Function of frontal lobe (3)

A

facilitates problem solving, memory

major role in decision making

involved in how we think about our future selves

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3
Q

Function of parietal lobe (3)

A

facilitates spatial processing, sensory processing, speech

spatial processing - perception of our 3D world + memories of space + distance

allows us to understand spoken language

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4
Q

Function of occipital lobe (2)

A

facilitates vision

optic nerve connected to occipital lobe

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5
Q

Function of temporal lobe (2)

A

located at side of brain (near temple)

processes sensory information, memories, speech + language

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6
Q

Function of brain stem + cerebellum (3)

A

responsible for motor movements

communication with other brain regions

coordination of organ function

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7
Q

Brain parts within limbic system (3)

A

amygdala

hippocampus

hypothalamus

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8
Q

Functions of limbic system (3)

A

memory

emotion

motivation

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9
Q

Function of amygdala

A

associated with fear + memory

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10
Q

Function of hippocampus

A

associated with formation of memory

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11
Q

Function of hypothalamus (2)

A

regulates autonomic nervous system

communicates with endocrine system

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12
Q

Define the equipotential theory (2)

A

believes all areas of the brain are equally active in overall mental functioning

effects of damage to brain are determined by extent than location

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13
Q

Function of broca zone

A

responsible for converting thought into speech

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14
Q

Define lateralisation

A

dominance of the one hemisphere of the brain for specific physical + physchological properties

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15
Q

Functions of the central core/brain stem (2)

A

regulates involuntary behaviours

e.g homeostasis, breathing, sleeping

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16
Q

Brain imaging methods (5)

A

EEG

computer topography (CT)

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

positron emission topography (PET)

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17
Q

Which brain imaging methods show brain structure (2)

A

CT

MRI

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18
Q

Which brain imaging methods show brain function (2)

A

EEG

PET

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19
Q

How PET scans work (4)

A

radioactive dye with glucose injected into participant

brain metabolises glucose

brain areas with more glucose metabolisation = more brain activity in that region

PET detects gamma rays

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20
Q

How MRI works (3)

A

produces static image of brain

uses magnetic fields + pulses of radiowave energy

have high degree of detail

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21
Q

How fMRI works (2)

A

large magnet creates images

changes in blood flow to different brain areas shows activity

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22
Q

Advantages of fMRI (3)

A

does not use radiation

has better spatial definition

easy technology to use

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23
Q

Advantages of brain imaging technology (3)

A

not invasive to participant

can expand psychological knowledge

can identify brain region involved in specific activity

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24
Q

Disadvantages of brain imaging technology (4)

A

rely on precision of software

can be stressful for participant

measurment takes place in artifical scenario

expensive

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25
Q

Define retrograde amnesia

A

inability to recall memories prior trauma

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26
Q

Define anterograde amnesia

A

inability to recall memories post trauma

27
Q

Define neuroplasticity (2)

A

the ability of the brain to change/reorganise itself environment

by forming new connections between brain cells (neurons)

28
Q

Define structural plasticity

A

experiences or memories which change brain structure

29
Q

Define functional plasticity

A

brain functions move from damaged areas to undamaged areas

30
Q

Define synaptic plasticicty

A

connections between neurons become stronger or weaker depending on how often they are used

31
Q

What happens when we learn something new

A

dendritic branching - dendrites of neurons grow in number to connect with other neurons

32
Q

Define cortical remapping (2)

A

one part of the brain takes over functions of a damaged area

e.g phantom limb syndrome

33
Q

Define neuronal activity

A

connections between neurons strengthen when neurons are frequently activated together

34
Q

Define synaptic pruning (2)

A

process of eliminating unused synapses

connections between neurons strengthen when neurons are frequently activated together

35
Q

Aim of Maguire et al study

A

investigate whether environmental traits would cause physical change in the brain

36
Q

Participants of Maguire et al study

A

16 male London taxi drivers

37
Q

Procedure of Maguire et al study (2)

A

MRI used to scan their brains

compared scans to a public MRI database

38
Q

Results of Maguire et al study

A

increased size of hippocampus compared with control (improved spatial memory)

39
Q

Implications of Maguire et al study

A

provided evidence for neuroplasticity + localisation

40
Q

Aim of Draganski et al. study

A

investigate impact of learning a new skill (juggling) on potential structural changes of brain

41
Q

Participants of Draganski et al study (2)

A

24 participants - 21 female, 4 male

participants were all non-jugglers

42
Q

Procedure of Draganski et al study (5)

A

participants separated into 2 conditions: jugglers + non-jugglers

all participants had initial MRI scan

juggling groups would alert researchers once they had learned how to juggler

2nd MRI scan would then take place

juggles told not to juggle anymore + 3rd MRI scan taken after 3 months

43
Q

Results of MRI scan for Draganski et al (4)

A

VBM used to analyse grey matter in MRI scans

1st MRI scan - no significant differences between 2 groups

2nd MRI scan - jugglers had larger grey matter in mid-temporal region (visual memory)

3rd MRI scan - most jugglers unable to juggle + grey matter decreased

44
Q

Features of neurons (3)

A

has 2 settings : either fires or doesnt

carry signals to and from brain

information carried by electrical impulses

45
Q

Define neurotransmission (2)

A

neurons send chemicals (neurotransmitters) across the synapse (gap between neurons)

chemical picked up by another neuron

46
Q

Define neurotransmitters (3)

A

body’s natural chemical reactions

transmit information from one neuron to another

examples of neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine

47
Q

Describe process of neurotransmission (4)

A

electrical impulse travels down axon of neuron

neurotransmitter released when impulse reaches axonal terminator

neurotransmitter crosses synaptic gap to other neuron

neurotransmitter fits into receptor sites of other neuron

48
Q

Function of a neuron’s terminal buttons

A

stores neurotransmitters

49
Q

Function of reuptake in neurotransmission

A

neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the neuron that releases them

50
Q

Define excitatory neurotransmitters (2)

A

compel a neuron to activate

stimulate post-synaptic neuron to fire

51
Q

Define inhibitory neurotransmitters

A

inhibit post-synaptic neuron from firing

52
Q

Define agonists in neurotransmission (2)

A

molecule which increases effect of a neurotransmitter

mimicks neurotransmitter and binds to receptor of post-synaptic neuron

53
Q

Define antagonist in neurotransmission (2)

A

reduces effect of neurotransmitters

blocks receptor sites on post-synaptic neurons

54
Q

Purpose of ketamine

A

anesthetic

55
Q

How Ketamine works as an anesthetic (3)

A

antagonist for glutamate in high doses

glutamate - excitatory neurotransmitter which facilitates neural network communication

agonist for glutamate in low doses, enhances glutamate production (increases stimulation of receptors)

56
Q

Function of serotonin (2)

A

associated with key cognitive functions

emotion, perception, appetite, sleep, memory

57
Q

Aim of Crockett et al study

A

understand role of serotonin in moral judgement and behaviour

58
Q

Participants of Crockett et al study (2)

A

24 participants

repeated measures, double blind experiment

59
Q

Procedure of Crockett et al study (4)

A

participants given citalopram (serotonin reuptake inhibitor), increase serotonin levels

participants given atomoxetine (noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) or placebo

participants engaged in 29 moral judgement hypothetical questions

participants also engaged in ultimatum game

60
Q

Results of Crockett et al study (2)

A

participants with more serotonin based morality on actions which would not directly harm another person

participants with more serotonin were less likely to reject unfair offers

61
Q

Conclusion of Crockett et al study (2)

A

serotonin promotes social behaviour

enhances harm aversion (feeling bad about harming others) which affects moral judgement + behaviour

62
Q

Strengths of Crockett et al. study (2)

A

Lab experiment - can clearly establish cause + effect

responses on moral judgement allowed results to be more specific

63
Q

Weaknesses of Crockett et al. study (2)

A

moral scenarios + ultimatum game lack ecological validity

sample selection was limited

IB Psychology (7 decks)

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