psych 3 Flashcards
what are the four lobes in the brain?
1) Frontal Lobe = Conscious movement (motor cortex), executive functions, language [1] (Broca’s area), reasoning, judgment, problem-solving, etc.
2) Parietal Lobe = Tactile sensation, spatial reasoning, some language [2]
3) Temporal Lobe = Hearing/language [2] (primary auditory cortex), memory (hippocampus)
4) Occipital Lobe = Vision (primary visual cortex)
what are the structures associated with the forebrain (prosencephalon)?
cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, basal ganglia,
what is the function of cerebral cortex?
executive functions, complex perception and cognition.
what is the function of thalamus?
consciousness (sleep/wake) relay between subcortical areas and cerebrum
what is the function of hypothalamus?
hunger thirst emotion (2*); major endocrine f(x) via releasing hormones to th pituitary gland.
what is the function of limbic system?
emotions (1) memory
what is the function of basal ganglia?
voluntary motor control, procedural memory.
what are the structures associated with the midbrain (mesencephalon)?
superior colliculi and inferior colliculi
what is the function of superior colliculi?
visual motor reflexes
what is the function of inferior colliculi?
auditory center hearing reflexes
what are the structures associated with the hindbrain (rhombencephalon)?
medulla oblongata, pons, cerebellum, reticular formation
what is the function of medulla oblongata?
breathing, heart rate, digestion
what is the function of pons?
sensory and motor tracts between medulla and cortex
what is the function of cerebellum?
balance regained motor movement
what is the function of reticular formation?
states of consciousness (sleep–> wake)
what is the function spinal cord?
reflexes bundled tracts to and from peripheral nervous system
What is the function of the pineal gland in the forebrain?
secretes melatonin, regulates sleep receives input from retina regarding circadian rhythms.
What is the function of the amygdala (forebrain, limbic system)?
emotion, motivation, implicit emotional memory
What is the function of the hippocampus (forebrain limbic system)?
memory consolidation from short term to long term.
What is the function of the posterior pituitary (forebrain) ?
secretes antidiuretic hormone (ADH: vasopressin) and oxytocin
What is the function of the anterior pituitary?
secretes FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin and GH (FLAT PEG)
1) Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE) is viral infection of the central nervous system caused by the same virus responsible for cold sores. Symptoms include memory loss, confusion, and personality change. Which portion of the brain is most directly impacted by HSE? A) inferior colliculi B) limbic system C) medulla oblongata D) cerebellum
B- The symptoms given may or may not be precise enough to identify an exact brain region. Memory loss could result from a loss of function of many different regions, as could the rather general term “confusion.” Personality change might infer emotional or motivational changes, which would lead one toward the limbic system, but the hypothalamus and the cerebral cortex also play important roles. This question is still fair, however, because all of the distractors are easily ruled out. Answer A, inferior colliculi, is very specific to auditory function. Answer C, medulla oblongata controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate. Answer D is most commonly associated with balance and refined motor functions. Thus Answer B is the only possible answer. One may not feel confident it is the source, but it cannot be ruled out, and Answers A, C and D can be ruled out.
what are non invasive methods to study the brain?
Electroencephalography (EEG), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
(TDCS), Regional Cerebral Blood Flow (rCBF)
what are invasive methods to study the brain?
Direct Electrode Stimulation (open cranium, during brain surgery), Human Brain Injury Case Studies, Extirpation of brain regions in lab animals.
acetylcholine: a) where the neurotransmitter is most likely to be found and/or act, b) its primary regulatory function(s),
Acetylcholine is found in both the CNS and the PNS. In the CNS, acetylcholine is involved in arousal and attention. Depletion of acetylcholine centrally is associated with the memory deficits that characterize Alzheimer’s disease. In the PNS, acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter of the neuromuscular junction and is also found in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
epinephrine: a) where the neurotransmitter is most likely to be found and/or act, b) its primary regulatory function(s),
Epinephrine (aka adrenaline) is found primarily in the PNS and is associated with the stress response elicited by activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
norepinephrine: a) where the neurotransmitter is most likely to be found and/or act, b) its primary regulatory function(s),
(aka noradrenaline) is found in both the CNS and PNS. Centrally, norepinephrine is associated with attention and emotional processing. Anxiety disorders and depression are associated with decreased norepinephrine activity. Peripherally, norepinephrine contributes to the stress response associated with activity of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.
dopamine: a) where the neurotransmitter is most likely to be found and/or act, b) its primary regulatory function(s),
Dopamine is found in the CNS and is associated with sensorimotor integration and in reward processing. Parkinson’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, Huntington’s chorea, and Schizophrenia are all associated with abnormal activity in the dopamine system.
serotonin: a) where the neurotransmitter is most likely to be found and/or act, b) its primary regulatory function(s),
Serotonin is found in the CNS and is associated with the homeostatic regulation of sleep and appetite. Serotonin is also involved in regulation of mood. Lowered serotonin levels are associated with depression.
y- aminobutyric acid (GABA): a) where the neurotransmitter is most likely to be found and/or act, b) its primary regulatory function(s),
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter of the CNS.
what are neuropeptides?
neuro acide peptides whose functions is similar to that of neurotransmitters. Endorphins are on example.
neurotransmitters have faster short lives effects but neuropeptides have..
slower longer lasting effects.
what’s temperament?
somewhat ambiguous term describing one’s general emotional disposition
it is established at birth and relatively persistent across the life span.
what is innate behavior?
Behavior thought to be predominantly genetic and present regardless of environmental influences.
what is learned behavior?
Behaviors thought to be predominantly environmental (i.e., learned via experience), and independent of heredity.
what are adaptive value/
degree to which behavior increases evolutionary fitness.
what is nature vs. nurture?
genetics v. learned behavior.
If environment is controlled AND genetic differences cause a result, NATURE wins. If genes are controlled AND environmental changes cause a result, NURTURE wins. If a clear effect is observed, it is going to be controlled variable that loses.
what are four examples of nature vs. nurture?
Example 1: Same Genes, Different
Environment, Environment Gene
Expression.
Example 2: Different Genes, Same Environment, Genes Environment.
Example 3: Same Genes, Different Environment, Environment Disease OR No Disease.
Example 4: Same Genes, Different Environment, Environment Covalent Modification of the DNA Dramatically Different Physiology.
For the following twin study experimental design types, identify the dependent variable, independent variable, any obvious study limitations, and—if present—the control: a) Family Studies, b) Adoption Studies, c) Twin Study-[MZ vs. DZ, both raised together], and d) Twin Study-[MZ and MZ, raised together vs. apart].
A) Dependent variable= rates of neurodegenerative disease, independent variable= degree of relatedness (please not this is not a true independent variable because it cannot be actively manipulated, and therefore, this research is correlational in nature with all the inherent problems of correlational research. This is usually referred to as a quasi-independent variable). Family studies are limited because families in which the disease occurs will be selectively recruited which makes sample representativeness problematic. B) Dependent variable= IQ, quasi- independent variable=adopted vs. biological. These types of studies are difficult to do because of the relatively small population to select from and because of difficulty in attaining information about biological relatives of adopted individuals. C) Dependent variable= aggression level, quasi-independent variable= degree of relatedness (MZ vs. DZ twin). Potential limitations lie again in generalizability. D) Dependent variable= obesity, quasi-independent variable= reared together or apart. These studies are difficult because access to these populations is very limited.
what are regulatory genes?
Regulatory genes are genes that code for a substance that regulates the
transcription of another gene (up or down, promotion or inhibition).
what are three types of behavior variation in natural population?
1) species- specific behaviors: Behavior observed only among members of the same species.
2) animal breeding behavior: Animals can be bred to exhibit target behaviors, such as aggression being genetically-selected for in rodeo bulls, or hunting skills being genetically-selected for in certain dog breeds
3) familial concordance behavior: Behaviors shown to run in families or be more frequent among children of parents with that behavioral trait.
Do the following hypothetical findings, if true, most support a genetic influence on behavior (nature), or an environmental influence on behavior (nurture)?
a) Bipolar Disorder is more likely among individuals who have a sibling who has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder,
b) Adopted children who exhibit aggressive behavior are more likely to have a biological parent who also exhibits aggressive behaviors than they are to have an adoptive parent who exhibits aggressive behaviors,
c) The concordance rate for alcoholism among MZ twins raised together is higher than the concordance rate for MZ twins raised apart,
d) MZ twins raised together have more similar IQs than do DZ twins raised together,
e) Strain X of MZ twin rats had a hereditary disposition toward obesity, while Strain Y did not. Both strains were divided into groups and fed either a below-average amount of food, or an above-average amount of food; the amount of food fed to the rats was a more effective predictor of life span than was Strain X or Y.
a) genetic/ nature + nurture
b) nature
c) nurture
d) genetic/ nature
e) nurture
2) A researcher wishes to identify whether family social environment has an influence on the development of aggressive behavior toward animals, a common finding among adult sociopaths. Which experimental result most strengthens the hypothesis that family environment influences aggression toward animals?
A) A group of orphans exposed to violent video games tested higher on a scale of sociopathic character traits than a group of non-orphans exposed to non-violent video games.
B) A group of children whose fathers tested high on a violence and aggression scale tested higher on an animal aggression scale than a group of children with non-violent fathers.
C) An analysis of lab results taken from adult sociopaths revealed a correlation between hippocampal desensitization to dopamine and high scores on an animal aggression scale.
D) Children from homes where at least one domestic violence incident had been reported to police scored lower on a scale of sociopathic character traits than children from homes with no domestic violence reports
B
What is the biomedical approach to psychological disorders?
Psych disorders caused by biological or chemical dysfunction (e.g., genetic predisposition, abnormally low hormone or neurotransmitter levels); Treatments are primarily biochemical (e.g., surgery, drugs). Considered more narrow by psychologists; Focused more on relieving symptoms.
What is the biopsychosocial approach?
Psych disorders caused by a combination of biochemical (e.g., genetic defect, low hormone level), psychological (personality, unhealthy behaviors), and sociological factors (culture, peer pressure). Treatments should include interventions in all three of these areas to be most effective; Considered more broad and generally more “accepted” by psychologists; Focused more on solving underlying causes and problems.
- Describe in detail how the following problems would be addressed using primarily a biomedical approach, and alternatively how they would be addressed using primarily a biopsychosocial approach: a) Patient A is morbidly obese and has a history of failed dieting and weight loss attempts, b) Patient B suffers from severe depression after having multiple pregnancies end in miscarriage, c) Patient C recently survived a major cardiac arrest and underwent multiple bypass surgery. He has a very high blood cholesterol level.
A biomedical approach assumes that all health-related problems arise from some physiological dysfunction or pathology. The biopsychosocial approach on the other hand suggests that health- related problems are influenced by both physiological dysfunction as well as a host of psychological and social factors.
A) A morbidly obese individual would probably be referred for gastric bypass surgery from someone coming from a biomedical perspective. While a healthcare provider taking a biopsychosocial approach might also recommend gastric bypass surgery, this would be done in conjunction with some sort of psychological evaluation and counseling to help the patient overcome unhealthy patterns of behavior that contributed to and maintained the morbid obesity.
B) The patient might be treated with antidepressant medications and/or medications that would stabilize future pregnancies by someone coming from the biomedical perspective. Again, these things would be done in conjunction with counseling on the grief and loss felt by the woman in the biopsychosocial approach.
C) Biomedically speaking, the patient would be treated with medications to help lower cholesterol. From a biopsychosocial perspective, this drug therapy would be combined with an attempt to help the patient understand and process the fear that they might feel as a result of these experiences. In addition, they might receive counseling on how to reduce stress and live a healthier lifestyle in the future.
What does the symptom of the disorder must cause in order to be diagnosed as a psychological disorder?
must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in normal functioning
what is major depressive disorder (MDD)?
Mood disorder with a least on e major depressive episode.
what is a major depressive episode (MDE)?
Depressed mood or loss of interest in normally- enjoyable daily activities, that interferes with normal functioning, and lasts for at least two weeks. The MDE criteria are also an important part of diagnosing Bipolar Disorder.
What is Seasonal Affect Disorder?
MDD that occurs only at specific time of year (season).
What is persistent depressive disorder (PDD)?
Characterized by Dysthymia, which is depressive symptoms that are not severe enough to qualify as a MDE, but persist most of the time for at least two years.
What is the DM5 description of Bipolar disorder?
According to DSM-5, the following criteria would be used in diagnosing an individual with bipolar disorder. 1) At least 1 week of abnormally elevated or irritated mood during which the individual also experiences at least three (four if mood is only irritable) of the following characteristics: inflated sense of self, decreased need for sleep, increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased distractibility, increased psychomotor activation, excessive involvement in pleasurable, yet risky, activities. 2) This change in mood significantly impairs work or family functioning or leads to hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others. 3) These changes are not better explained by the use of some drug or some other medical condition.
