Principles Of Neuroscience Lecture 30 Social Cognition Flashcards

0
Q

Describe the anatomy of the prefrontal cortex

A

Two major divisions : orbitofrontal and dorsolateral

Medial prefrontal cortex

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1
Q

Describe the differences between judgements of trustworthiness and facial recognition in terms of areas of brain activation

A

There a two different regions in the brain

Trustworthiness: amygdala
Facial recognition: inferior temporal gyrus of right temporal cortex

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2
Q

What are the general functions of the prefrontal cortex?

A

Not sensory, motor behaviours

It is more planning and behavioural

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3
Q

Describe how rules and norms dictate social behaviour, and the plasticity of these

A

Not adhering to social norms produces negative emotions. Thus, we will adhere to avoid these emotions

The idea of what is socially acceptable changes over the years. Such as gay marriage etc

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4
Q

What are self conscious emotions?
When do they develop?
What do they require?

A

Embarrassment, guilt, pride, shame, empathy

After about 2 years of age

They require self reference: assessing ones own performance

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5
Q

Why is play important?

A

During play, children make up rules and have to stick to them. This is important for learning how to interact socially

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6
Q

Why is lying important?

A

It is an important skill to be able to lie and to be able to detect genuine and fake emotions

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7
Q

What has been very useful for exploring PFC function?

A

Looking at damage to the PFC

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8
Q

Describe what happened to Phinneus Gage and the result of this injury

A

He had a spike driven through his prefrontal cortex.
After he recovered he was still able to speak, walk sense things etc. however,
“Gage was no longer gage”
His behaviour become more childish and temperamental. He no longer made long term plans, and he became hedonistic

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9
Q

What is prefrontal lobotomy and leucotomy?

A

Disconnecting the PFC from the rest of the nervous system by swishing a wire about in there

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10
Q

When did PFC lobotomy die out? Why?

A

In the 1950s because drugs that have relief for sufferes of mental disease came anout

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11
Q

Describe why it is thought that PFC is a non essential area

A

Because even if we disconnect it, we can still walk, talk etc

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12
Q

Describe the features of acquired sociopathy seen after PFC lobotomy

A
Tactlessness
Impulsiveness
Extrovert ness
Outbursts
Lack of long term goal making
Emotional lability
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13
Q

Describe what is meant by ‘cognitive representation of emotional states are lost’ in PFC lobotomy

A

When a nurse had a prefrontal lobotomy, she said that she could no longer experience deep sorrow or great happiness

However, she had insight into that fact that she didn’t feel these emotions, and she knew what these emotions were

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14
Q

What sort of behaviour is seen in animals with injury to the PFC?

A

Timid
Withdrawn
Abnormal temperament and social behaviour
No grooming
“Social cripple” –> ejected from society and found dead and alone

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15
Q

Describe the neural substrates for social cognition

A

Emotional response to something is very important for social cognition

16
Q

Describe the Somatic Marker Hypothesis

What does it refer to?

A

This is a hypothesis about the reason we adopt certain social behaviours.

Stimulus
PFC
Hypothalamus
Viscera
Enteroceptors and nociceptors
Spinal cord
Medial frontal thalamus
Hypothalamus
Emotion
17
Q

What are the three principal zones of the hypothalamus?

What are the functions?

A

Medial and lateral: behavioural patterns

Peri ventricular: neuro secretory

18
Q

Describe the hypothalamus’ role in social compliance and production of emotion

A

The hypothalamus interprets information from the viscera that is detected with enteroceptors.
Emotional response
Social compliance