AOS2 Mental Processes and Behaviour

Question 1

Psychology

Answer 1

The scientific study of human mental states and behaviours

Question 2

Brain versus Heart Debate

Answer 2

A historical debate on whether the heart or brain is responsible for mental processes such as thoughts, emotions and behaviour

Question 3

Mind-Body Problem

Answer 3

The complex philosophical question as to whether our mind is separate and distinguishable from our body, or whether they are one integrated entity.

Question 4

Dualism

Answer 4

The belief that the human mind and body are separate and distinguishable from one another

Question 5

Monism

Answer 5

The belief that the human mind and body are together a singular complete entity

Question 6

Phrenology

Answer 6

The study of the shape and size of the human skull to determine personality and mental functioning

Question 7

Ablation

Answer 7

The surgical removal, destruction or cutting of a region of brain tissue

Question 8

Brain Lesioning

Answer 8

The practice of inducing and/or studying the effects of damage to an area of the brain

Question 9

Cerebral Hemispheres

Answer 9

The symmetrical halves of the cerebrum in the brain

Question 10

Hemispheric Specialisation

Answer 10

The difference in functioning between the left and right hemispheres of the brain when performing a specific behaviour or task

Question 11

Neuroimaging

Answer 11

A range of techniques used to capture images of the brain’s structure, function and activities

Question 12

Computerised Tomography

Answer 12

A neuroimaging technique that involves taking continuous two-dimensional x-ray images of the brain which are then stacked to create a comprehensive three-dimensional image of the brain.

Question 13

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Answer 13

A neuroimaging technique that uses magnetic and radio fields to take detailed two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the brain

Question 14

Positron Emission Tomography

Answer 14

A neuroimaging technique that uses a scanning device to take coloured images of the brain, showing its functional activity by tracing the levels of a radioactive substance in the brain

Question 15

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Answer 15

A neuroimaging technique that uses magnetic and radio fields to take two and three-dimensional images of the brain and record its activity levels

Question 16

Brain

Answer 16

A complex organ contained within the skull that coordinates mental processes and behaviour, and regulates bodily activity

Question 17

Brainstem

Answer 17

An extension of the spinal cord that is made up of the medulla, pons and midbrain

Question 18

Hindbrain

Answer 18

A region at the base of the brain, located around and including some of the brainstem

Question 19

Midbrain

Answer 19

A region at the centre of the brain, between the hindbrain and forebrain, and is part of the brainstem

Question 20

Forebrain

Answer 20

A large and prominent brain region that is located at the top and front of the brain

Question 21

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 21

The outer layer of the cerebrum that covers the brain

Question 22

Frontal Lobe

Answer 22

The largest and frontmost lobe of the cerebral cortex that is composed of motor and association areas, that plays an important role in coordinating movement

Question 23

Parietal Lobe

Answer 23

The lobe of the cerebral cortex located behind the frontal lobe and is composed of sensory and association areas, that plays an important role in receiving and processing sensory information.

Question 24

Occipital Lobe

Answer 24

The rearmost lobe of the cerebral cortex located behind the parietal lobe, and is composed of sensory and association areas, that plays an important role in receiving and processing visual information

Question 25

Temporal Lobe

Answer 25

The lowest lobe of the cerebral cortex located beneath the parietal lobe, and is composed of sensory and association areas, that plays an important role in receiving and processing auditory information

Question 26

Neuron

Answer 26

A nerve cell that receives and transmits neural information

Question 27

Synapse

Answer 27

The region that includes the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron, the synaptic gap, and the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron

Question 28

Neuroplasticity

Answer 28

The ability of the brain to change in response to experience or environmental stimulation

Question 29

Developmental Plasticity

Answer 29

Changes in the brain that occur in response to ageing and maturation

Question 30

Synaptogenesis

Answer 30

The formation of synapses between neurons as axon terminals and dendrites grow

Question 31

Synaptic Pruning

Answer 31

The elimination of underused synapses

Question 32

Myelination

Answer 32

The formation and development of myelin around the axon of a neuron

Question 33

Brain Trauma

Answer 33

Damage to the brain that is caused by an external force

Question 34

Adaptive Plasticity

Answer 34

The brain's ability to restore adequate neural functioning over time after sustaining injury

Question 35

Sprouting

Answer 35

A neuron's ability to develop new branches on the dendrites or axons

Question 36

Rerouting

Answer 36

A neuron's ability to form a new connection with another undamaged neuron.

Question 37

Acquired Brain Injury:

Answer 37

All types of brain injury that occur after birth

Question 38

Neurological Disorders

Answer 38

Diseases characterised by any damage to, or malfunctioning of, the nervous system

Question 39

Parkinson's Disease

Answer 39

A progressive disease of the nervous system characterised by both motor and non-motor symptoms

Question 40

Neurodegenerative Diseases

Answer 40

Diseases characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain

Question 41

Dopamine

Answer 41

A neurotransmitter responsible for the coordination of voluntary movement and the experience of pleasure and pain

Question 42

Epilepsy

Answer 42

A neurological disorder associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain and is categorised by recurrent seizures

Question 43

Seizures

Answer 43

Brief episodes of uncontrolled and unrestricted electrical discharging of neurons in the brain

Question 44

Machine Learning

Answer 44

An element of artificial intelligence that allows software to become more accurate at predicting outcomes by mimicking the way that humans learn

Question 45

Gut

Answer 45

The long, flexible tube from mouth to anus that is the passageway involved in digestion

Question 46

Gut-Brain Axis

Answer 46

The bidirectional connection between the gut and the brain through multiple parts of the nervous system

Question 47

Gut Microbiota

Answer 47

All of the microorganisms that live in the gut

Question 48

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Answer 48

A progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head injuries and concussions

Question 49

Concussion

Answer 49

A mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily disrupts brain function

Question 50

Post-Mortem Examination

Answer 50

An assessment of a dead body that occurs to determine the cause of death

Question 51

Neurofibrillary Tangles:

Answer 51

An accumulation of the protein tau that forms insoluble tangles within neurons, which then inhibit the transportation of essential substances and eventually kills the neuron entirely.