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Psychology GRE > Physiological Psychology > Flashcards

Physiological Psychology Flashcards

1
Q

Paul Broca

A

French anatomist who identified the part of the brain primarily associated with producing spoken language (“Broca’s Area”)

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2
Q

Walter Cannon

A

Physiologist who studied the autonomic nervous system, including “fight or flight” reactions

Investigated homeostasis

With Bard, proposed the Cannon-Bard theory of emotions

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3
Q

Eric Kandel

A

Demonstrated that simple learning behavior in sea snails (aplysia) is associated with changes in neurotransmission

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4
Q

William James and Carl Lange

A

Proposed the James-Lange two-factor theory of emotions

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5
Q

Heinrich Klüver and Paul Bucy

A
  • Studied loss of normal fear and rage reactions in monkeys resulting from damage to the temporal lobe
  • Studied the amygdala’s role in emotions
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6
Q

Alexander Luria

A

Russian neurologist who studied how brain damage leads to impairment in sensory, motor, and language functions

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7
Q

Brenda Milner

A

Studied severe anterograde amnesia in H.M., a patient whose hippocampus and temporal lobes were removed surgically to control epilepsy

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8
Q

James Olds and Peter Milner

A

Demonstrated existence of pleasure center in the brain using “self-stimulation” studies in rats. Pleasure center = septum

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9
Q

Wilder Penfield

A

Canadian neurosurgeon who used electrodes and electrical stimulation techniques to map out different parts of the brain during surgery

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10
Q

Stanley Schachter and Jerome Singer

A

Proposed the Schacter-Singer two-factor theory of emotions

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11
Q

Sir Charles Scott Sherrington

A

English physiologist who first inferred the existence of the synapse

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12
Q

Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga

A

Investigated functional differences between left and right cerebral hemispheres using “split brain” studies

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13
Q

Carl Wernicke

A

German neurologist who identified the part of the brain primarily concerned with understanding language (“Wernicke’s area”)

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14
Q

Franz Gall

A

Associated with phrenology

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15
Q

Pierre Flourens

A

First to study the functions of major parts of the brain via ablation (aka extirpation) - where parts of the brain are removed and the effect of behavior is studied (studied on pigeons)

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16
Q

William James

A

Functionalism. Studied how the brain functioned in adapting to the environment

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17
Q

Johannes Müller

A

The law of specific nerve energies - each sensory nerve is excited by only one type of energy

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18
Q

Herman von Helmholtz

A

First to measure speed of impulse in terms of reactions

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19
Q

Three Types of Nerve Cells

A
  1. Sensory neurons (aka afferent) - transmit sensory info from the receptors to the spinal cord and brain
  2. Motor neurons (aka efferent) - transmit motor info from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles
  3. Interneurons - found between other neurons. Mostly exist in the brain and spinal cord and are linked to reflexive behavior
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20
Q

Reflexive Arc

A

Sensory neurons send signal of pain, which first arrives at the spinal cord (and then the brain). Since the spinal cord is closer, interneurons in the spinal cord send the signal to motor neurons, which activates the reflex to move away from pain.

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21
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Brain and spinal cord

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22
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

All other nerve tissue. Contains the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

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23
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

Regulates automatic, involuntary muscles associated with internal organs and glands. Contains the parasympathetic and the sympathetic nervous systems.

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24
Q

Sympathetic NS

A

Activated under stress, responsible for the “fight or flight” response. Accelerates heart rate, breathing, pupils dilate, adrenaline is released, and digestion slows

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25
Q

Parasympathetic NS

A

Main role is to conserve energy: “resting and digesting.” Neurotransmitter acetylcholine is released.

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26
Q

Three Basic Subdivisions of the Brain

A
  1. Hindbrain
  2. Midbrain
  3. Forebrain
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27
Q

Hindbrain

A

Lowest part of the brain, spinal cord. Associated with balance, motor coordination, breathing, digestion, sleep/wake

  1. Cerebellum
  2. Pons
  3. Medulla Oblongata
  4. Reticular Formation
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28
Q

Midbrain

A

Involuntary reflex responses, sensorimotor reflexes, receives sensory and motor info

  1. Inferior Colliculus
  2. Superior Colliculus
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29
Q

Forebrain

A

Perception, cognition, behavioral processes, emotion, memory

  1. Thalamus
  2. Hypothalamus
  3. Cerebral Cortex
  4. Basal Ganglia
  5. Limbic System
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30
Q

Phelogeny

A

Term for evolutionary development in humans

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31
Q

Order of Brain Evolution

A
  1. Brainstem (hindbrain and midbrain)
  2. Limbic system (emotion - fear, pain, pleasure, etc. - and memory)
  3. Cerebral cortex (language processing, problem solving, impulse control, long-term planning)
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32
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

Complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes

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33
Q

Basal Ganglia

A

Coordinates muscle movement

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34
Q

Limbic System

A

Emotion and memory. Contains the:

  1. Septum
  2. Amygdala
  3. Hippocampus
  4. Hypothalamus
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35
Q

Thalamus

A

Sensory relay station

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36
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Hunger and thirst, emotion, fight or flight

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37
Q

Inferior Colliculus

A

Midbrain Structure. Receives sensory information from the auditory system

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38
Q

Superior Colliculus

A

Midbrain Structure, Receives visual sensory input

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39
Q

Subdivisions of the Hypothalamus

A
  1. Lateral hypothalamus
  2. Ventromedial hypothalamus
  3. Anterior hypothalamus
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40
Q

Lateral Hypothalamus

A

Hunger center. Lesions lead to aphagia (refusal to eat or drink)

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41
Q

Ventromedial Hypothalamus

A

Satiety center - tells you when to stop eating/drinking. Lesions lead to hyperphasia (eating/drinking too much)

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42
Q

Anterior Hypothalamus

A

Sexual activity. Lesions lead to asexality

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43
Q

Extrapyramidal Motor System

A

Receives info from basal ganglia, relays info to the brain and spinal cord regarding body position

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44
Q

Ventricles

A

Fluid-filled (cerebrospinal fluid) cavities in the middle of the brain that link to the spinal canal

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45
Q

Septum

A

Part of the limbic system. The pleasure center (studied by Olds and Milner). Also inhibits aggression. Lesions = “sham rage”

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46
Q

Amygdala

A

Part of the limbic system. Responsible for defensive and aggressive behaviors (studied by Klüver and Bucy) Lesions = docile and hypersexual.

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47
Q

Hippocampus

A

Part of the limbic system. Responsible for memory and learning. Lesions = anterograde amnesia, as evidenced by H.M. (studied by B. Milner)

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48
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

Outer surface of the brain associated with higher level processes. Has two hemispheres and four lobes:

  1. Frontal
  2. Parietal
  3. Occipital
  4. Temporal
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49
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

Associated with reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language, learning, personality. Contains:

  • Prefrontal Cortex
  • Motor Cortex
  • Broca’s Area (dominant hemisphere only)
50
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

Associated with processing information from the body’s senses and the central region deals with spatial processing and manipulation. Contains:
- Somatosensory Cortex

51
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

Associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language. Contains:

  • Auditory Cortex
  • Wernike’s Area
  • Hippocampus
52
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

Associated with learning and vision. Contains:

- Visual Cortex

53
Q

Medulla

A

Part of the hindbrain structure - the continuation of the spinal cord within the skull, forming the lowest part of the brainstem and containing control centers for the heart and lungs (autonomic NS)

54
Q

Pons

A

Hindbrain structure -the part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus (bridges brain and spinal cord).

Is also involved in regulation of brain activity during sleep.

55
Q

Cerebellum

A

Hindbrain structure. The part of the brain at the back of the skull in vertebrates. Its function is to coordinate and regulate muscular activity - balance, coordination, motor skills.

56
Q

Reticular Formation

A

Regulates sleep/wake cycle, alertness, and attention

57
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Part of the Limbic System. Regulates a number of homeostatic processes including regulation of body temperature, appetite, blood pressure. Also regulates sexual motivation and behavior.

58
Q

Prefrontal Cortex

A

Located in the frontal lobe. Associated with long-term planning, impulse control, perception, memory, executive functioning.

Lesion to the prefrontal cortex results in less control, more impulsive, apathy.

59
Q

Motor Cortex

A

Located in the frontal lobe. Initiates motor movement by sending neural impulses down the spinal cord towards muscles.

60
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Located in the frontal lobe, but only in the dominant hemisphere. Associated with speech production and controls the muscles necessary for articulation

61
Q

Somatosensory Cortex

A

Located in the parietal lobe, deals with somatosensory processing for touch, temperature, pressure, and pain.

62
Q

Auditory Cortex

A

Located in the temporal lobe. Associated with processing auditory information.

63
Q

Wernike’s Area

A

Located in the temporal lobe. Associated with language comprehension.

64
Q

Hippocampus

A

Located in the temporal lobe. Associated with memory processing and emotional control.

65
Q

Visual Cortex

A

Located in the occipital lobe. Associated with processing visual information.

66
Q

Features of the Dominant Hemisphere

A

Usually the left hemisphere (97% of people). Is the hemisphere opposite of one’s dominant hand.

  • Analytic
  • Detail Oriented
  • Associated with language, logic, math
  • Contains Broca’s area and Wernike’s area
  • Complex voluntary movement
67
Q

Features of the Non-Dominant Hemisphere

A

Usually the right hemisphere.

  • Sensitive to emotional tone of spoken language
  • Intuition, creativity, music
  • Spacial processing, directions
  • Recognizing faces and the general shape of things
68
Q

Split Brain

A

Severing the corpus callosum so that the two hemispheres of the brain no longer communicate. Studied by Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga

69
Q

Order of electrical movement through a neuron

A
  1. Dendrites receive info
  2. Soma
  3. Axon (jumping along nodes of Ranvier)
  4. Terminal buttons
    - -
  5. Chemical neurotransmitters are released from terminal buttons into synapse
70
Q

Cell Body (Soma)

A

Contains the nucleus

71
Q

Dendrites

A

Contain postsynaptic receptors which vary in shape to match with different neurotransmitters. Information from other neurons is received here, which can start the action potential

72
Q

Axon

A

The long threadlike part of a neuron along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to the terminal buttons

73
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Fatty layer formed by glial cells that insulates the axon. Myelinated axons allow impulses to travel more quickly down the axon.

74
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Dips in the myelin sheath that aid in faster and more intense travel of the impulse down the axon. Action potentials jump from node to node.

75
Q

Terminal Buttons

A

Contain presynaptic membrane, which has vesicles with neurotransmitters which are released when the neuron fires.

76
Q

Synapse

A

Space between the terminal buttons of one neuron, and the dendrites of another where neurotransmitters are released

77
Q

Glial Cells

A

Non-neural cells that play a supporting role to neurons. Form the myelin sheath

78
Q

Resting Potential

A

State of readiness on the neuron, categorized by a slight negative charge inside the cell membrane. At this state, there are higher concentrations of positive potassium ions inside the cell, and higher concentrations of positive sodium ions outside the cell.

79
Q

Cell Membrane

A

Thin layer of fatty molecules that separates the inside of the neuron from the outside. Is semipermeable to allow some ions in and out

80
Q

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A

Cell membrane has to actively pump positive sodium ions out and keep positive potassium ions inside to maintain resting potential and negative charge inside the cell.

81
Q

Stages of Action Potential

A
  1. Resting potential
  2. Depolarization
  3. Action potential spike
  4. Hyper-polarization
82
Q

Depolarization

A

Occurs when a neuron receives a signal, causing the pores on the cell membrane to widen and allow positive sodium ions to flow into the cell. When a stimulus is significant enough to cause the membrane potential to increase to the threshold potential, the neuron will fire. Depolarization refers to the change in charge of the cell (now positive)

83
Q

Action Potential Spike

A

When a cell reaches the depolarization threshold, the membrane spikes and allows increased numbers of sodium ions into the cell.

84
Q

Repolarization

A

Regaining original negative charge of resting potential. Occurs by allowing potassium ions to leave the cell

85
Q

Hyperpolarization

A

Membrane overshoots repolarization, so briefly the cell is more negatively charged than at resting potential. Membrane again resists inflow of sodium ions, and the charge gradually returns to resting potential voltage.

86
Q

Absolute Refractory Period

A

Corresponds to depolarization and achievement of the action potential. During an action potential, the cell cannot respond to any other stimuli.

87
Q

Relative Refractory Period

A

After the absolute refractory period, after the action potential spike. Occurs during hyperpolarization where a cell can fire again, but a stronger stimulus is needed to reach the threshold potential than is required at resting potential.

88
Q

Presynaptic Membrane

A

Membrane of the terminal buttons that faces the synapse and contains vesicles to store neurotransmitters

89
Q

Postsynaptic Membrane

A

Membrane on the dendrites that face the synapse. Contains receptors to receive neurotransmitters from the synapse

90
Q

Postsynaptic Potentials

A

Once a neurotransmitter binds to the receptors, it generates a tiny electrical charge. Two types of potentials:

  1. Excitatory PSP (makes neuron more likely to fire)
  2. Inhibitory PSP (makes neuron less likely to fire)
91
Q

Graded Potentials

A

Referring to the postsynaptic potentials in the dendrites - the all-or-nothing law does not apply (voltage can vary in intensity and depends on how much the receptor sites are stimulated by the neurotransmitters)

92
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Neurotransmitter that exists in both the central and peripheral NS.

  • CNS - linked to Alzheimers
  • Parasympathetic NS - used to transmit impulses to muscles
93
Q

Epinephrine

A

AKA Adrenaline - related to fight or flight response

94
Q

Norepinephrine

A

AKA Noradrenaline - related to wakefulness and alertness. Associated with mood disorders (too much = mania, too little = depression)

95
Q

Dopamine

A

Related to smooth movements and steady posture. Associated with Parkinson’s (loss of dopamine) and schizophrenia (too much or too intense)

96
Q

Serotonin

A

Related to mood, sleeping, eating, dreaming. Associated with mood disorders

97
Q

GABA

A

Brain “stabilizer” - related to anxiety disorders

98
Q

Endorphines

A

Natural painkillers. Associated with addictions

99
Q

Sedative-Hypnotics

A

Slow down CNS. Used in low doses to reduce anxiety. Medium doses = sedation. High doses = anesthesia.

  • Benzodiazepines (affects GABA and used to reduce anxiety)
  • Barbiturates (affects GABA and used as sedatives)
100
Q

Behavioral Stimulants

A

Increases motor activity or counteracts fatigue

  • Amphetamines (affects norepinephrine and dopamine to treat narcolepsy) Speed up CNS, mimic sympathetic NS
  • Tricyclics and MAO inhibitors (affects serotonin and norepinephrine to treat MDD)
  • Methylphenidate (affects dopamine to treat ADHD)
101
Q

Antipsychotics

A

Thorazine, Chlorpromazine, Phenothalazine, Haloperidol - block receptor sites for dopamine

Lithium Carbonate = mood stabilizer for bipolar

102
Q

Narcotics

A

Opium, Heroin, Morphine bond to opiate receptors and mimic endorphines

103
Q

Endocrine System

A

Uses hormones (chemical messengers that travel through the blood stream) to communicate - a slow and continuous bodily process

  • Regulates sexual arousal and functions related to reproduction
  • Also produces adrenaline
104
Q

Master Gland of the Endocrine System

A

Pituitary Gland

105
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

Master Gland of the Endocrine System, located in the base of the brain.

Secretes hormones into blood that travel to other endocrine glands to activate them (secretion is controlled by the hypothalamus)

106
Q

Thyroid

A

Gland of the endocrine system that affects metabolism rate, growth, and development

107
Q

Adrenal Medulla

A

Gland of the endocrine system that produces adrenaline which increases sugar output of the liver, increases heart rate, and is associated with the fight or flight response

108
Q

Ovaries

A

Gland of the endocrine system that produces estrogen which stimulates female sex characteristics and progesterone which prepares the uterus for egg implantation

109
Q

Testes

A

Gland of the endocrine system that produces testosterone which stimulates male sex characteristics and is relevant to sexual arousal

110
Q

Research Methods in Physiological Psychology

A
  1. Lesions and ablations - used to study function of specific brain areas
  2. Stereotaxic instrument - used to locate brain areas when implanting electrodes in order to make lesions or to stimulate and/or record nerve cell activity
  3. Electrical stimulation and recording of neurons - study activity of individual nerve cells
  4. EEG
  5. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)
  6. PET scan
  7. CAT scan
  8. MRI
111
Q

Aphasia

A

Language disorder associated with Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas

  • Broca’s aphasia = impairments in producing spoken language
  • Wernicke’s aphasia = impairments in understanding spoken language
112
Q

Anterograde Amnesia

A

Damage to the hippocampus resulting in disturbance in memory for events following the damage (H.M.)

113
Q

Retrograde Amnesia

A

Disturbance in memory for events before the damage

114
Q

Agnosia

A

Impairment in perceptual recognition of objects:

  • Visual agnosia = disturbs visual recognition (can see but not recognize)
  • Tactile agnosia = disturbs tactile recognition
115
Q

Apraxia

A

Impairment of skilled motor movements

116
Q

Aphagia

A

Disturbance in eating usually due to damage to the lateral hypothalamus

117
Q

Circadian Rhythm

A

24-hour sleep-wake cycle

118
Q

Stages of Sleep and Related Brain Waves

A

Awake - beta waves (person is awake and alert: fast EEG activity) and alpha waves (person is awake but relaxed: slower EEG activity)

Stage 1 - theta waves (person is lightly sleeping: EEG activity shows “sleep spindles” and k complex appears)

Stage 2 - theta waves

Stage 3 - delta waves (person is more deeply asleep: slower EEG activity and steeper sleep spindles)

Stage 4 - delta waves (person is in deepest sleep: slowest EEG movement and steepest sleep spindles. Relaxed muscle tone and decreased HR and respiration)

REM - fast but irregular EEG activity, similar to alpha waves. Relaxed muscle tone, associated with dreaming

119
Q

James-Lange Theory of Emotion

A

William James and Carl Lange

We become aware of our emotion after we notice our physiological reactions to some external event. Emphasized the role of the peripheral NS

120
Q

Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion

A

Walter Cannon and Philip Bard

Awareness of emotions reflects out physiological arousal and cognitive experience of emotions. Bodily changes and emotion feelings occur simultaneously

121
Q

Schacter-Singer Theory of Emotion

A

Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

Subjective experience of emotion is based on interaction between changes in physiological arousal and the cognitive interpretation of that arousal (can vary based on the environment)

Psychology GRE (10 decks)

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