test week 9 revision

Question 1

synaptic transmission

Answer 1

the process by which neighbo uring neurone communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the gap that separates them. information is passed down the axon of the neutron as an eltircal impulse. once the electrical impulse reaches the end of the axon it must cross over the synaptic gap between the presynaptic neutron and post synaptic neutron. then the presynaptic terminal triggers the release of neurotransmitters.

Question 2

cognitive neuroscience

Answer 2

Cognitive neuroscience is the development of psychology as a science from the 1800s, where researcher such as broker and Waunakee use post-mortem examinations to now the 21st century were scanning techniques, such as the fMRI. An EEG allows us to do something known as brain mapping where we can see how specific areas are active during tasks and draw conclusions from now.

Question 3

defence mechanism eval

Answer 3

 Lack of testability/falsifiability since defence mechanisms are unconscious processes they cannot be studied directly
 Defence mechanisms can only be inferred from behaviour or from reported thoughts or experiences
 Use of examples to illustrate and support argument
 Intuitive appeal – most people can appreciate the idea of denial, repression, displacement
 Use of evidence to support or contradict the existence of defence mechanisms eg case
studies of people who are unable to recall upsetting events

Question 4

discuss localisation of the brain

Answer 4

• Some functions are more localised than others eg somatosensory and motor functions are highly localised to particular areas of cortex.
• Other functions seem more widely distributed eg the language system (though some components may be localised eg speech comprehension).
• Localisation can involve restricted areas of cortex eg motor control, or broader aspects eg right hemisphere visuo-spatial functions.
  Possible discussion
• Use of research evidence eg Lashley’s classic work on equipotentiality of the cortex; Hubel and Wiesel’s work on distributed functions of the visual system.
• Human clinical case studies of loss of specific abilities after restricted brain damage eg aphasia, amnesia.
• Simpler functions are likely to be more localised in the brain, eg motor control as compared with eg personality, consciousness.
• The brain is so complex that no one part acts independently of the rest, so strict localisation is impossible.
• General commentary on whether localisation or “holistic” approaches are more appropriate.
• Limitations of methods/scanning techniques used to investigate localisation.