Overall Flashcards
What is Steinberg Paradigm?
Measure of working memory performance
Shows memory retrieval is sequential: reaction time increases as the list of items to remember gets longer
What is the frontal lobe?
In the front part of the brain. Controls decision-making, problem-solving, emotional regulation, expressive language, voluntary activity
What is the parietal lobe?
Behind the frontal lobe (top of the brain). Processes touch, visual attention, spatial awareness, and other sensory inputs. Also manipulating objects and spatial attention. (“where”-pathway)
What is the occipital lobe?
Back of the brain. Controls visual processing
What is the temporal lobe?
Located by the ears. Processing auditory information, language comprehension, memory and emotional association (“what”-pathway).
What is the motor cortex?
Part of the frontal lobe. Controls voluntary muscle movements
What is Broca’s area?
In the frontal lobe. Helps you speak and express languag
What is Wernicke’s area?
In the temporal lobe. Helps you understand language
What is the cerebellum?
The bottom, back part of the brain. Coordinates balance and movement
What is the brainstem?
Connects the brain to the spinal cord, controlling essential life functions like breathing, heart rate, and sleep cycles
What is EEG?
Measures electrical brain activity using electrodes on the scalp, showing real-time brain waves
What is MEG?
Detects magnetic fields from brain activity for precise timing and spatial mapping (localization of activity)
What is PET?
Tracks brain activity by detecting radioactive tracers injected into the body (diagnosis of conditions like cancer and brain disorders)
What is fMRI?
Measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow, providing detailed images
Lobe vs Cortex vs Region
Lobe: large section of the brain - includes multiple parts
Cortex: The outer layer of the brain - responsible for higher-level processing
Region: Broader term
What is behaviourism?
A theory in psychology (1900-1920) that focuses on studying observable behaviors rather than internal thoughts or feelings, emphasizing how the environment shapes behavior through learning
What is the information-processing approach?
Views the mind as a system that processes, stores, and retrieves information, similar to how a computer works
What is introspection?
The process of examining and reflecting on one’s own thoughts, feelings, and mental processes
What is cognition?
Information processing
What is a neuron and its key function?
A nerve cell that carries messages in the form of electrical signals throughout the body, allowing for communication between the brain and other parts of the body
Describe the anatomy of a neuron
A neuron has three main parts:
Cell body: Contains the nucleus and processes information.
Dendrites: Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons.
Axon: A long extension that carries signals away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles
Who is Wilhelm Wundt?
Considered the father of modern psychology
What does the hypocampus do?
Located in the temporal lobe. Crucial for memory
What does the amygdala do?
Located in the temporal lobe. Processes emotions, especially fear and threat detection
What does the basal ganglia do?
A group of brain structures involved in coordinating movement, motor learning, and reward processing.
It plays a key role in smooth, voluntary movements
What is aphasia?
A language disorder from brain damage
Affects: speech, comprehension, reading, or writing.
What is the replicabillity crisis?
Refers to the difficulty in replicating or reproducing the results of many scientific studies, raising concerns about the reliability and validity of research findings
What is the empiricist view vs the
nativistic view?
The empiricist view argues that knowledge comes from sensory experience and learning from the environment.
The nativistic view suggests that certain knowledge or abilities are innate and present from birth
What is TMS?
A method for determining the function of a brain region; a magnetic field is applied to the surface of the head to disrupt the neural processing in that region
What is the Cerebral Cortex (“Cortex”)
The outer part of the brain
What is Topographic Organization?
The brain’s “map” where nearby brain areas control or sense nearby body parts
What is the limbic system?
The hyppocampus, amygdala, hypoethalamhus, other structures, and the thalamus and basal ganglia (remember af hippo with a hat)
What is the cognitive revolution?
From the 1950s: Shift back to studying mental processes. Noam Chomsky developed the theory that humans are born with an innate ability to learn language. He also challenged behaviorism
What are the 3 principles essential to the ethical conduct of research with humans according to the Belmond Report?
Respect for persons
Beneficience
Justice
What is the main difference between the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere?
The left hemisphere specializes in language, logic, and analytical tasks, while the right hemisphere is focused on spatial awareness, creativity, and emotions
