Behavioral Sciences Flashcards
(142 cards)
1
Q
Franz Gall
A
Phrenology
Associated development of a trait with growth of its relevant part of the brain
2
Q
Pierre Fluorens
A
Extirpation/ablation
Concluded that different brain regions have specific functions
3
Q
Extirpation/ablation
A
Various parts of the brain are surgically removed and the behavioral consequences are observed
4
Q
William James
A
“Father of American psychology”
Pushed for importance of studying adaptations of the individual to his or her environment
5
Q
Functionalism
A
Studies how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments
6
Q
John Dewey
A
Credited with the landmark article on functionalism
Argued for studying the entire organism as a whole
7
Q
Paul Broca
A
Correlated pathology with specific brain regions
Speech production from Broca’s area
8
Q
Hermann von Helmholtz
A
Measured speed of a nerve impulse
9
Q
Sir Charles Sherrington
A
Inferred the existence of synapses
10
Q
Sensory neurons
A
AKA afferent neurons
Transmit sensory information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain
11
Q
Motor neurons
A
AKA efferent neurons
Transmit motor information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands
12
Q
Interneurons
A
Found between other neurons
Most numerous of the three types of neurons
Located predominantly in the brain and spinal cord
Linked to reflexive behavior
13
Q
Reflex arcs
A
Neural circuits that control reflexive behavior
14
Q
Central Nervous System (CNS)
A
Brain and spinal cord
15
Q
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
A
Nerve tissue and fibers outside the brain and spinal cord
Spinal, cranial, olfactory, and optic nerves
Somatic and autonomic nervous system
16
Q
Spinal nerves
A
31 pairs of nerves emanating from the spinal cord
17
Q
Cranial nerves
A
12 pairs of nerves emanating directly from the brain
18
Q
Olfactory and optic nerves
A
Structural outgrowths of the CNS, but still considered part of the PNS
19
Q
Somatic nervous system
A
Sensory and motor neurons distributed throughout the skin, joints, and muscles
Sensory neurons transmit information towards the CNS through afferent fibers
Motor impulses travel from the CNS back to the body along efferent fibers
20
Q
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
A
Regulates heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and glandular secretions
Regulates body temperature
Manages involuntary (automatic) muscles associated with many internal organs and glands
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
21
Q
Parasympathetic nervous system
A
Conserves energy
Resting and sleep states
Reduces heart rate, constricts the bronchi, manages digestion, constricts pupils, stimulates saliva flow, stimulates peristalsis and secretion, stimulates bile release, and contracts bladder
Acetylcholine
22
Q
Sympathetic nervous system
A
Activated by stress
Fight or flight reactions
Increases heart rate, redistributes blood to muscles of locomotion, increases blood glucose concentration, relaxes the bronchi, decreases digestion and peristalsis, and dilates the eyes
Releases epinephrine
23
Q
Meninges
A
3-layer sheath of connective tissue that covers the brain
Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater
Protects the brain and resorbs cerebrospinal fluid
24
Q
Dura mater
A
Outer layer of connective tissue in the meninges
Connected directly to the skull
25
Arachnoid mater
Middle layer in the meninges
| Fibrous, web-like
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Pia mater
Inner layer of connective tissue in the meninges
| Connected directly to the brain
27
Cerebrospinal fluid
The aqueous solution that nourishes the brain and spinal cord
Provides a protective cushion
Produced by specialized cells that line the brain’s ventricles
28
Ventricles
Internal cavities of the brain
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Brainstem
The hindbrain and midbrain
30
Limbic system
Forebrain
A group of neural structures primarily associated with emotion and memory
Aggression, fear, pleasure, and pain
31
Cerebral cortex
The outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres
Language processing to problem solving
Impulse control to long-term planning
32
Hindbrain
Rhombencephalon
Located where the brain meets the spinal cord
Controls balance motor coordination, breathing, digestion, and general arousal processes (sleeping and waking)
Manages vital functions necessary for survival
33
Rhombencephalon
During embryonic development, it divides to form the myelencephalon and metencephalon
34
Myelencephalon
Comes from the rhombencephalon
| Becomes the medulla oblongata
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Metencephalon
Comes from the rhombencephalon
| Becomes the pons and cerebellum
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Medulla oblongata
Lower brain structure
| Responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion
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Pons
Lies above the medulla
| Contains sensory and motor pathways between the cortex and the medulla
38
Cerebellum
At the top of the hindbrain, mushrooms out the back of the pons
Helps maintain posture and balance and helps coordinates body movements
39
Midbrain
Mesencephalon
Receives sensory and motor information from the rest of the body
Associated with involuntary reflex responses triggered by visual and auditory stimuli
40
Colliculi
2 prominent nuclei in the midbrain
| Superior and inferior colliculus
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Superior colliculus
Receives visual sensory input
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Inferior colliculus
Receives sensory information from the auditory system
| Has a role in reflexive reactions to sudden loud noises
43
Forebrain
Prosencephalon
Located above the midbrain
Associated with complex perceptual, cognitive, behavioral processes, and emotion and memory
Greatest influence on human behavior
44
Prosencephalon
Forebrain
| During prenatal development, it divides to form the telencephalon and diencephalon
45
Telencephalon
Comes from the prosencephalon
| Forms the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system
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Diencephalon
Comes from the prosencephalon
| Forms the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland, and pineal gland
47
Neuropsychology
The study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain
48
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Studies electrical activity generated by larger groups of neurons
Involves placing several electrodes on the scalp
Noninvasive
49
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow (rCBF)
Detects broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain
Noninvasive
50
Computed Tomography (CT)/Computed Axial Tomography (CAT)
Multiple X-rats are taken at different angles and processed by a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the tissue
51
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Radioactive sugar is injected and absorbed into the body, its dispersion and uptake throughout the target tissue is imaged
52
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A magnetic field that interacts with hydrogen atoms is used to map out hydrogen dense regions of the body
53
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagining (fMRI)
Same technique as MRI
Measures changes associated with blood flow
Useful for monitoring neural activity
54
Thalamus
Forebrain
Important relay station for incoming sensory impulses, all senses except smell
Sorts and transmits sensory impulses to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex
55
Hypothalamus
Lateral, ventromedial, and anterior hypothalamus
Homeostatic functions and is a key player in emotional experiences during high arousal states, aggressive behavior, and sexual behavior
Helps control endocrine functions, and the autonomic nervous system
Receptors regulate metabolism, temperature, and water balance
Important in drive behaviors (hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior)
56
Lateral hypothalamus (LH)
Hunger center
| Detects when the body needs more food or fluids
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Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)
Satiety center
| Provides signals to stop eating
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Anterior hypothalamus
Controls sexual behavior
| Regulates sleep and body temperature
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Posterior pituitary
Comprised of atonal projections from the hypothalamus
| Site of release for ADH (vasopressin) and oxytocin
60
Pineal gland
Key player in several biological rhythms
Secretes melatonin which regulates the circadian rhythms
Receives direct signals from the retinal or coordination with sunlight
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Basal ganglia
Coordinate muscle movement
Receives information from the cortex and relays it to the brain and spinal cord
Keeps movements smooth and posture steady
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Extrapyramidal system
Gathers information about body position and carries it to the CNS
Does NOT function directly through motor neurons
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Parkinson’s disease
Chronic illness associated with destruction of portions of the basal ganglia
Jerky movements and uncontrolled resting tremors
Associated with a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia
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Limbic system
Groups of interconnected structures looping around the central portion of the brain
Associated with emotion and memory
Septal nuclei, amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex
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Septal nuclei
Primary pleasure center of the brain
| Association between these nuclei and addictive behavior
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Amygdala
Important role in defensive and aggressive behaviors
| Lesions result in docility and hypersexual states
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Hippocampus
Vital role in learning and memory processes
Consolidates information to form long-term memories
Redistributes remote memories of the cerebral cortex
68
Fornix
Long projections that the hippocampus uses to communicate with other portions of the limbic system
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Anterograde amnesia
Not being able to establish new long-term memories
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Retrograde amnesia
Memory loss of events that transpired before the brain injury
71
Anterior cingulate cortex
Higher order cognitive processes
Regulates impulse control and decision-making
Plays a role in emotion and motivation
72
Cerebral cortex
The outer surface of the brain
AKA neocortex
Frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes
73
Gyri/sulci
The bumps and folds of the cerebral cortex
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Cerebral hemispheres
2 halves of the cerebrum
75
Frontal lobe
Prefrontal and motor cortex
| Executive function, impulse control, long-term planning, motor function, speech production
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Prefrontal cortex
Manages executive function by supervising and directing the operations of other brain regions
Supervises processes associated with perception, memory, emotion, impulse control, and long-term planning
Association area
77
Association area
An area that integrates input from diverse regions of the brain
78
Projection areas
Contrasted with association areas
| Perform more rudimentary perceptual and motor tasks
79
Primary motor cortex
Projection area
Located on the precentral gyrus, in front of the central sulcus
Initiates voluntary motor movements by sending neural impulses down the spinal cord to the muscles
80
Broca’s area
Frontal lobe
Speech production
Usually found the left hemisphere
81
Parietal lobe
Located to the rear of the frontal lobe
Somatosensory cortex
Sensation of touch, pressure, temperature, and pain; spatial processing, orientation, and manipulation
82
Somatosensory cortex
Located on the postcentral gyrus
Involved in somatosensory information processing
Destination for all incoming sensory signals for touch, pressure, temperature, and pain
83
Occipital lobe
Located at the rear of the brain
Visual/striate cortex
Visual processing, also implicated in learning and motor control
84
Visual/striate cortex
Furrowed or striped
| How the visual cortex appears under the microscope
85
Temporal lobe
Sound processing, speech perception, memory, and emotion
| Auditory cortex, Wernicke’s area, limbic system
86
Auditory cortex
Primary site of most sound processing, including speech, music, and other sound information
87
Wernicke’s area
Associated with language reception and comprehension
88
Contralaterally
When one side of the brain communicates with the opposite side of the body
EX: motor neurons on the left side of the brain activate movements on the right side of the body
89
Ipsilaterally
When cerebral hemispheres communicate with the same side of the body
EX: hearing
90
Dominant hemisphere
Usually the left
| Primarily analytic in function, making it well-suited for managing details
91
Nondominant hemisphere
Usually the right
Associated with intuition, creativity, music cognition, and spatial processing
Processes the pieces of a stimulus and assembles them into a holistic image
92
Neurotransmitter
Chemical used by neurons to send signals to other neurons
93
Agonist
A drug that mimics the action of some neurotransmitter
94
Antagonist
A drug that blocks the action of neurotransmitters
95
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems
Peripheral- transmits nerve impulses to the muscles, parasympathetic and sympathetic
Central- attention and arousal
96
Catecholamines
Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine
| Play an important role in the experience of emotions
97
Monoamines/biogenic amines
Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine
| Similar in molecular composition
98
Epinephrine/norepinephrine
Adrenaline/noradrenaline
Control alertness and wakefulness
Primary neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system, promotes the flight-or-fight response
99
Dopamine
Smooth movements and postural stability
100
Dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia
Imbalances in dopamine transmission play a role
Delusions, hallucinations, and agitation associated with schizophrenia arise from either too much dopamine or from an oversensitivity to dopamine
101
Serotonin
Monoamine/biogenic amine neurotransmitter
Plays a role in regulating mood, eating, sleeping, and dreaming
Plays a role in depression and mania
102
Aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Produces inhibitory postsynaptic potentials
| Plays a role in stabilizing neural activity in the brain
103
Glycine
Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS by increasing chloride influx into the neuron
104
Glutamate
Excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS
105
Neuromodulators/neuropeptides
Slower and have longer effects on the postsynaptic cell than neurotransmitters
106
Endorphins
Natural painkillers
| Actions similar to morphine and other opioids
107
The endocrine system
Internal communication network in the body
Uses hormones as chemical messengers
Slower than the nervous system because hormones travel through the bloodstream
108
Hypophyseal portal system
Directly connects the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
| Endocrine system controls both organs by releasing hormones into this system
109
Pituitary gland
Master gland
Located at the base of the brain
anterior and posterior
110
Anterior pituitary
Releases hormones that regulate activities of endocrine glands elsewhere in the body
Controlled by the hypothalamus
111
Adrenal glands
Located on top of the kidneys
| Adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex
112
Adrenal medulla
Releases epinephrine and norepinephrine as part of the sympathetic nervous system
113
Adrenal cortex
Produces hormones called corticosteroids, including the stress hormone cortisol
Contributes to sexual functioning by producing testosterone and estrogen
114
Gonads
Sex glands of the body
Ovaries in females
Testes in males
Produce sex hormones in higher concentrations
Increase libido and contribute to mating behavior and sexual function
115
Innate behavior
Genetically programmed as a result of evolution and is seen in all individuals regardless of environment or experience
116
Learned behaviors
Not based on heredity but instead are based on experience and environment
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Adaptive value
The extent to which a trait or behavior positively benefits a species by influencing the evolutionary fitness of the species
Leads to adaptation through natural selection
118
Twin studies
Comparing concordance rates for a trait between monozygotic and dizygotic twins
Better able to distinguish the relative effects of shared environment and genetics
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Monozygotic vs. dizygotic twins
Monozygotic- MZ, identical
| Dizygotic- DZ, fraternal
120
Concordance rates
The likelihood that both twins exhibit the same trait
121
Family studies
Rely on the fact that genetically related individuals are more similar genotypically than unrelated individuals
Researchers compare rates of a given trait among family members to rates of that trait among unrelated individuals
122
Adoption studies
Compare the similarities between biological relatives and the adopted child to similarities between adoptive relatives and the adopted child
123
Critical periods
Specific periods in development where children are particularly susceptible to environmental factors
124
Neurulation
Ectoderm overlaying the notochord begins to furrow, forming a neural groove surrounded by 2 neural folds
Neural crest migrated throughout the body to form disparate tissues
The rest of the furrow closes to form the neural tube
The neural tube invaginates and folds in on itself
Embryonic brain starts as 3 swellings then turns to 5 as it matures
125
Neural crest
The cells at the leading edge of the neural fold
126
Neural tube
Forms the CNS
| Alar plate and basal plate
127
Alar plate
Part of the neural tube
| Differentiates into sensory neurons
128
Basal plate
Part of the neural tube
| Differentiates into motor neurons
129
Umbilical cord
Attached the fetus to the uterine wall and placenta
130
Placenta
Transmits food, oxygen, and water to the fetus
| Returns water and waste to the mother
131
Reflex
A behavior that occurs in response to a given stimulus without higher cognitive input
132
Primitive reflexes
Disappear with age
133
Rooting reflex
The automatic turning of the head in the direction of a stimulus that touches the cheek
134
Moro reflex
Infants react to abrupt movements of their heads by flinging out their arms, then slowly retracting their arms and crying
135
Babinski reflex
Causes the toes to spread apart automatically when the sole of the foot is stimulated
136
Grasping reflex
The infant closes his or her finger around an object placed in his or her hand
137
Gross motor skills
Incorporate movement from large muscle groups and whole body motion
Sitting, crawling, walking
138
Fine motor skills
Involve the smaller muscles of the fingers, toes, and eyes, providing more specific and delicate movement
Tracking motion, drawing, catching, and waving
139
Stranger anxiety
A fear and apprehension of unfamiliar individuals
| Develops at 7 months
140
Separation anxiety
A fear of being separated from the parental figure
| Develops at 1 year
141
Parallel play
Children will play alongside each other without influencing each other’s behavior
142
Developmental milestones
Abilities and behaviors that are expected to emerge at particular times in a person’s development
