psych > AOS 2 > Flashcards

AOS 2 Flashcards

(54 cards)

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1
Q

brain vs heart debate

A
  • historical debate, whether heart or brain was responsible for responsible for central functions including thought, emotion + behaviour.
  • ancient egypt (heart hypothesis) vs ancient greece (brain)
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2
Q

Occipital lobe

A

The rearmost lobe of the cerebra; cortex behind the parietal lobe that has a key function in processing visual stimuli

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3
Q

Types of experimental designs and their strengths and limitations e.g.
case studies.

A

Case studies, controlled experiment, correlational study

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4
Q

Identifying and reporting variables

A

Independent variable (IV) - what is manipulated in an experiment

Dependent variable (DV) - what is measured in an experiment

Controlled variable - variables other than the IV that are held constant

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5
Q

Constructing hypothesis and aims

A

Aim - a statement outlining the purpose of the investigation

Hypothesis - a testable prediction about the outcome of an investigation

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6
Q

Ethical Principles

A

Non-maleficence – Avoid harm
Beneficence – Maximize benefits
Integrity – Honest reporting
Justice – Weigh competing claims
Respect – Recognise value

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7
Q

different approaches over time in understanding the role of the brain in
behaviour and mental processes

A
  • brain vs heart debate
  • mind-body problem
  • Monism V Dualism
  • First Brain Experiments
  • Neuroimaging techniques
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8
Q

the brain vs heart debate

A
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9
Q

mind-body problem

A
  • mind and body are seperate entities? or the same thing?
  • philosophical CONUNDRUM
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10
Q

Monism V Dualism

A

dualism - mind and body are 2 seperate and distinguishable entities
monism - mind and body are one and the same (we are made of one type of thing - neurons and consciousness)

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11
Q

First Brain Experiments

A
  • ablation (removal/destruction of tissue)
  • brain lesioning (inducing/studying effects of damage to an area)
  • split brain studies (L and R cerebral hemispheres have different functions)
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12
Q

hemispheric specialisation

A

difference in functioning between left and right hemispheres of the brain

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13
Q

Neuroimaging techniques - structural imaging

A
  • structural imaging (CT and MRI)
    CT - 2D x rays of a brain, injest “contrast” dye, black and white images and not detailed enough :(
    MRI - magnetic + radio fields to take detailed 2D and 3D pictures, less harmful than CT and is more detailed, colourful :), but not on people w internal pacemakers :(
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14
Q

Neuroimaging techniques - functional imaging

A

PET - structure + images with brain levels during tasks, inijection of radioactive solution to make areas light up, range of colours, useful for functions :) but less detailed in showing structures :(
FMRI - measures brain activity levels by tracing biochemical changes in brain, same images as MRi but able to trace function and activity :) higher quality of brain’s structure than PET and no substance needed :)

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15
Q

lobes of the brain

A
  • Frontal lobe
  • Parietal lobe
  • Occipital lobe
  • Temporal lobe
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16
Q

Frontal lobe

A

Largest lobe of the cerebral cortex and is its front-most area

Responsible for:
- logic and reasoning
- expression of emotions
- personality
- voluntary movement (primary motor cortex)
- production of speech (broca’s area)

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17
Q

Parietal lobe

A

The area behind the frontal lobe with the main function of receiving and processing sensory stimuli

Responsible for:
- spatial awareness
- direction
- processing sensory information of touch, temperature and pain (primary somatosensory cortex)

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18
Q

Sperry and Gazzaniga

A

found that the left and right hemispheres (symmetrical halves of the cerebrum) have different functions/”specialisations”

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19
Q

roles of the hindbrain

A
  • located in the bottom and back of the brain + some of the brain stem
  • responsible for fundamental functions (eg. breathing + movement)
    consists of:
  • cerebellum
  • medulla
  • pons
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20
Q
  • cerebellum
A
  • ball-like structure at the back behind brain stem
  • skeletal muscle movement + coordination
  • maintaining balance + posture
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21
Q
  • medulla
A
  • mass of neurons located at bottom of brain stem
  • regulating autonomic functions (eg. heart rate, blood pressure)
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22
Q
  • pons
Study These Flashcards
A
  • small structure located above medulla
  • involved in relaying information between different areas
  • regulating respiratory system + sleep/wake cycle
23
Q

roles of midbrain

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A
  • middle of the brain (between hind+fore brain)
  • processing sensory information eg. auditory, visual
  • regulating sleep + psychological arousal
  • motor movement
  • contains reticular formation
24
Q

reticular formation

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A

network of neurons located largely in midbrain
- filters inputs of info into brain
- adjusting muscle tension
- regulating sleep/wake cycle
- regulating psychological arousal/alertness

25
roles of forebrain
- largest - sophisticated mental processes ie. cognition, learning, language, and memory - includes: * hypothalamus * thalamus * cerebrum
26
roles of cerebral cortex
- thin outer layer - processing sensory info, initiating voluntary movements, language, symbolic thinking, regulation of emotion
27
adaptive plasticity
- brains ability to restore adequate neutral functioning over time after sustaining injury - sprouting and rerouting
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developmental plasticity
- changes in response to ageing and learnings associated with maturation
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factors influencing neuroplasticity
-
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ways to maintain and/or maximise brain functioning
- synaptogenisis - synaptic pruning - myelination - sprouting - rerouting
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synaptogenisis
formation of synapses between neurons as axon terminals and dendrites grow - learning smth new = axon terminals of neurons grow and form connections to nearby neurons creating synapses
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synaptic pruning
elimination of underused synapses - removed to free up space in the brain and allow for strengthening of frequently used synapses
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myelination
formation and development of myelin around axon of a neuron - facilitates more efficient communication of messages
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sprouting
a neuron's ability to develop new branches on the dendrites or axons
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rerouting
a neuron's ability to form a new connection with another undamaged neuron
36
acquired brain injury (ABI)
all types of brain injuries that occur after birth can be TRAUMATIC: damage caused by external force eg. sports injuries, car crash or NON-TRAUMATIC: caused by internal factors ie lack of oxygen eg. stroke, tumour
37
ABI's effect on biological functioning
changes in: behaviour, organ function, cellular/neural function impact on: seizures, movement impairment, smell impairment
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ABI's effect psychological functioning
changes in: cognition, behaviour, emotions impact on: memory loss, personality changes, increased susceptibility to mental health disorders
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ABI's effect on social functioning
changes in: relationships, interactions w/ environment, interpersonal skills (e. leadership) impact on: job productivity, social support, antisocial behaviour
40
Symptoms of Stroke
- Sudden confusion - trouble speaking - Sudden numbness or weakness - Sudden severe headache
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Symptoms of Concussion
- headache - dizziness - confusion - nausea - balance and memory problems
42
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as an example of emerging research into progressive and fatal brain disease
research suggests that education and behavioural therapies have been effective in preventing and treating persistent post-concussion symptoms - research about Cte has also informed sporting regulations eg. use of helmets and protocols for head injuries
43
What is CTE?
- a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head injuries + concussions - effects do not occur immediately as it is neurodegenerative - progressive loss if neurons in the brain
44
What changes in the brain are recognisable for CTE?
- can only be seen through post-mortem examination - CTE associated with widespread buildup of p-tau in brain regions (particularly frontal + temporal) - p-tau forms neurofibrillary tangles (tangles within neurons) - inhibit transportation of essential substances, eventually kills neuron
45
Symptoms of CTE
- memory loss - depression - anxiety/paranoia - mood impairments usually appear 8-10 years after repetitive concussions
46
What are the areas of focus in CTE research?
- a way to diagnose CTE pre mortem (none found yet) - education + behavioural therapies have been effective in preventing/treating post-concussion symptom
47
What has recently been found? What are they working towards now?
- research has informed sporting regulations (helmets/tactics/protocols) - working towards finding a way to diagnose CTE before death, and a cure
48
biopsychosocial model
A holistic (inclusive), interdisciplinary (collaborative) framework for understanding human experience through biological, psychological, and social influences. An individual’s psychological state, including thinking, information processing, and emotion regulation—shaped by biological, psychological, and social interactions.
49
Correlational study strengths and limitations
Strengths - helps determine if variables are related, is ethical and practical Limitations - other factors may influence the relationship, correlation may be coincidental or misleading.
50
Case studies
A case study is a detailed examination of a real-life situation to analyse key concepts and draw conclusions.
51
Controlled experiment strengths and limitations
Strengths - can be repeated for reliability, controls variables which reduces bias Limitations - may not apply to real-world settings, can be expensive and time consuming
52
Case studies strengths and limitations
Strengths - detailed data, studies rare conditions/cases Limitations - can't generalise findings to the wider population, researcher bias
53
Correlational study
A non-experimental study that observes relationships between variables without manipulation.
54
Controlled experiment
Examines the causal impact of independent variables on a dependent variable while controlling others.
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