Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

PSYC 104 - Introductory Psychology I > Chapter 3.1 > Flashcards

Chapter 3.1 Flashcards

(92 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Biological Psychologists/ Neuroscientists

A

-study the brain and behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Phrenology

A

-exploration of the shape, size, and protrusions of the cranium
-super popular in 1820s
-incorrect map of the mind
-pseudoscience; was falsifiable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Original Phrenology Beliefs

A

-brain is sole organ of the mind
-character traits + intelligence are inherited
-differences between people result from structural brain differences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Disproved Phrenology Beliefs

A

-it was found that areas they thought corresponded to traits did not lead to deficits

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Phrenology Example

A

Scientists saw bumps or divots in the shape of neural areas as strengths or weaknesses in traits and brain functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Electrical Stimulation

A

-investigating brain function by electrically stimulating brain during neurosurgery
-supported that neural communication was electrical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Wilder Penfield

A

-American-Canadian neurosurgeon
-integral to development and expansion of this technique (electrical stimulation of the brain during surgery)
-“Burnt Toast” video

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Lesion Studies

A

-specific area was damaged to understand the impairment
-done on animal models

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A

-recording of the brain’s electrical activity at the surface of the skull
-developed by Hans Berger in 1929
-tells which areas of brain are active during specific tasks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

EEG Advantages

A

-non-invasive
-high temporal resolution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

EEG Disadvantges

A

-doesn’t tell us about individual cell activity
-doesn’t tell us about brain region activation with accuracy or in the deep brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Computed Tomography (CT) Scans

A

-scanning technique using multiple x-rays to construct 3D images

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

CT Scan Advantages

A

-good for detecting dense tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

CT Scan Disadvantages

A

-static image
-do details of activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A

-technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure
-detect soft tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Advantages of MRI Over CT

A

-detects soft tissue
-higher spacial resolution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Disadvantages of MRI

A

-expensive
-static image
-no details regarding activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

A

-imaging technique that measures consumption of glucose-like molecules
-yields a picture of neural activity in different brain regions
-measures changes in activity in response to stimuli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

PET Scan Advantages

A

-can attach radioactive isotopes to drugs to see where they are used
-shows activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

PET Scan Disadvantages

A

-invasive
-poor time course (static image)
-poor spatial resolution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A

-uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity
-detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to neural activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

fMRI Advantages

A

-see activity with good image clarity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

fMRI Disadvantages

A

-sensitive to motion
-spatial resolution is just ok
-expensive
-poor temporal resolution (better than PET/CT)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Spatial Resolution

A

-ability to tell you which area is active
-ability to differentiate two adjacent structures as being distinct from each other

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Temporal Resolution
-ability to tell you exactly when the activation happened
26
Static Image
-image doesn't move
27
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
-applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function -allows us to see which brain areas are involved in processes
28
TMS Advantages
-can inhibit neural function -allows us to infer causation
29
TMS Disadvantages
-can cause seizures if incorrectly used -doesn't work on deep brain, only cortex
30
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
-measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain
31
MEG Advantages
-excellent temporal resolution -reasonable spatial resolution
32
MEG Disadvantages
-not good at detecting deep brain activity -expensive -high degree of expertise required
33
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
-electrodes are implanted within brain to provide stimulation detection to certain areas -treatment of neuropsychological conditions -assesses brain activity
34
DBS Disadvantages
-invasive - requires neurosurgery -researchers have no control of where electrodes go -must be implanted for medical purposes
35
Localization of Function
-certain brain areas are found to be particularly active during a specific psychological task -caution for claims with limited evidence
36
Multiple Brain Regions
-multiple areas of the brain contribute to certain functions -complex functions unlikely to be contained to one area -depends on the task -ie. Brocas Area
37
Brocas Area
-well known role in speech production -also role in recognition of musical notes
38
Lateralization
cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain over the other
39
Split-brain Surgery
Procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures
40
Neuron
-nerve cell specialized for communication -the brain has ~100 billion neurons
41
Cell Body (Soma)
-central region of the neuron -manufactures cell components -contains the nucleus (protein manufacture)
42
Dendrites
-portion of neuron that receives signals -branchlike extensions
43
Axon
-portion of the neuron that sends signals
44
Axon Terminal
-knoblike structure at the far end -releases synaptic vesicles
45
Synaptic Vesicle
-spherical sac containing neurotransmitters
46
Neurotransmitter
-chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron
47
Information within a cell
-electrical communication
48
Information between cells
-chemical communication (synapse)
49
Synapse
-space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically
50
Synaptic Cleft
-gap in which NTs are released from the axon terminal
51
Glial Cells
-cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the BBB -responds to injury, removes debris, enhances learning and memory
52
Myelin Sheath
-glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neurons signal
53
Astrocytes
-responsible for the BBB -embryo development -thought, memory, immune system
54
Oligodendrocytes
-promotes new connections among nerve cells -aid in healing -produces myelin sheath
55
Resting Potential
-electrical change difference (-60 to -70 mV) -when neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited
56
Threshold
-membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential -all-or-none law
57
Action Potential
-electrical impulse that travels down the axon -triggers the release of NTs
58
Absolute Refractory Period
-time during which another action potential is impossible -limits maximal firing rate
59
Graded Potentials
-postsynaptic potentials that can be excitatory or inhibitory depending on +/- charge flow across membrane
60
Relative Refractory Period
-interval of time when a second action potential can be initiated -will require a greater stimulus than before
61
All or None Law
-cell depolarizes or it does not -stronger signals ≠ stronger action potentials -stronger signals = more action potentials
62
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP)
-graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by excitatory synaptic transmission
63
Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)
-graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by inhibitory synaptic transmission
64
Receptor Site
location that uniquely recognizes a NT
65
Reuptake
-recycling of NTs by presynaptic axon terminals
66
Neurotransmitter Synthesis
-occurs in presynaptic terminals -enzymes transported to cytoplasm
67
Neurotransmitter Storage
-stored in synaptic vesicles in presynaptic axons
68
Excitatory NTs
-excite the nervous system -increase activity
69
Inhibitory NTs
-inhibit nervous system -decrease activity
70
Glutamate
-main excitatory NT -sensory and learning -alcohol and sensory enhancers
71
GABA
-main inhibitory NT -alcohol and anti-anxiety
72
Norepinephrine
-both excitatory and inhibitory -cortical arousal -amphetamine and methamphetamine
73
Acetlycholine
-cortical arousal -attention -memory -muscle contraction -nicotine, botox, memory enhancers
74
Dopamine
-motor function -pleasure -Leva dopa (Parkinsons), antipsychotics
75
Serotonin
-mood regulation -aggression -sleep-wake cycles -temperature -anti-depressants
76
Endorphins
-pain killer -codeine, morphine, heroin
77
Anandamide
-pain killer -appetite increase -THC
78
Psychoactive Drugs
-impact the nervous system
79
Agonist
-drug enhances activity at the receptor site -either binds to receptor or blocks reuptake
80
Antagonist
-drug reduces activity at the receptor site -binds to receptor site and blocks NTs
81
Neural Plasticity
-ability of neurons in the nervous system to change over time -change in structure or function
82
Plasticity over development
-brain doesn't fully mature until early adulthood -brain changes even in later years -4 parts:
83
Growth
-of dendrites and axons in the nervous system
84
Synaptogenesis
-formation of new synapses
85
Pruning
-death of certain neurons -retraction of axons to remove connections that aren't useful
86
Myelination
-insulation of axons with a myelin sheath
87
Neural Plasticity and Learning
-brains change as we learn -creation of new synapses -potentiation -structural plasticity
88
Potentiation
-increased connection and communication among neurons -strengthening of existing connections
89
Structural Plasticity
-change in the shape of neurons
90
Neural Plasticity following Injury and Degeneration
-neural connections can take the place of others
91
Neurogenesis
-creation of new neurons in the adult brain
92
Stem Cells
-a cell having the capacity to differentiate into more specialized cells -used to repair and replace

PSYC 104 - Introductory Psychology I (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions