unit I Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is Biopsychology?
The science of the brain and nervous system, studying biological mechanisms of behavior and mental processes, including behavior, brain lesions, genetics, and chemical responses.
What is the distinction between the brain and the mind?
Brain: Physical organ, has shape, size, weight, can be touched, hardware.
Mind: Metaphysical, weightless, no shape or size, cannot be touched, software.
Who was Phineas Gage, and why is his case important?
A famous case of brain damage that helped establish connections between brain regions and behavior.
Name some key disciplines within neuroscience.
Neuroanatomy
Neurochemistry
Neuropathology
Neuroendocrinology
Neuropharmacology
Neurophysiology
What are some advantages of using non-human participants in biopsychological research?
Less complex behavior, comparative approaches across species, and fewer ethical constraints.
What does biopsychology aim to study?
The biological basis of behavior, how brain disruptions change behavior, brain regions involved in sensation, and roles of genetics and the endocrine system.
What is Australopithecus, and how does it relate to human evolution?
Early hominins with hand use abilities and upright walking similar to modern humans, though with chimp-sized brains.
What are the meninges of the brain?
Dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid mater.
What are the divisions of biological psychology?
Physiological psychology
Psychopharmacology
Neuropsychology
Psychophysiology
Cognitive neuroscience
What methods are used in cognitive neuroscience?
Behavioral methods
Lesion studies
Structural methods (CT, MRI)
Functional methods (EEG, MEG, PET, fMRI)
Combination and simulation methods
What are the two main structural methods for studying the brain?
CT (Computerized Tomography)
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
What does an EEG measure, and what are its uses?
Measures neural activity (frequencies 1-30 Hz). Used to diagnose epilepsy, brain tumors, and sleep disorders.
What are the advantages and limitations of behavioral methods?
Advantages: Non-invasive, quantifiable, versatile.
Limitations: Indirect measurements, context-dependent, possible external interferences.
What are the key behavioral methods in cognitive neuroscience?
Reaction time
Accuracy/error analysis
Eye tracking
What are lesion studies, and what are their advantages?
Study of brain damage in humans/animals to infer brain function.
Advantages: Casual inference, localization of function, clinical relevance.
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and what does it treat?
A non-invasive method using magnetic fields to stimulate brain cells. Used to treat depression, OCD, and migraines.
What is the evolutionary basis of behavior?
Behaviors like cooperation and altruism evolved to increase survival; kin selection and reciprocal altruism are key theories.
What are the applications of optogenetics?
Controls neuron activity with light, used in research on movement, memory, and conditions like epilepsy and Parkinson’s.
What is attachment theory, and who developed it?
Developed by John Bowlby, it suggests early bonding ensures proximity to caregivers for survival.
How does sexual selection influence behavior?
Traits that enhance reproductive success, such as physical attractiveness and resource acquisition, are shaped by sexual selection.
What is the social brain hypothesis?
Suggests that the complexities of social living drove the evolution of larger brains and advanced cognitive abilities in humans.
How does evolutionary biopsychology view emotions?
Emotions have adaptive functions, such as fear triggering survival responses. Universal emotions are conserved across cultures.
What is the mismatch hypothesis in mental health?
Some psychological conditions like anxiety or depression may be maladaptive in modern contexts but were once adaptive.
