PSYC 276 UNIT 3 Study Guide Flashcards
Why is the idea that we only use “10% of our brain” a neuromyth?
We use our entire brain. There is no evidence for unused capacity in the brain, though we do not use all of the brain at the same time (e.g., stoplight)
Extra info:
if you think about development, any neurons that are not used die off. That said, we do not only use all of the brain at the same time (like a stoplight, only some portions are “on” at a time).
circuit of brain regions active when we are mentally inactive
Default Mode Network
Extra: This is NOT active when we are intentionally doing something or thinking.
surgery that physically removes on hemipshere (primarily the cortex)
hemispherectomy
Extra: Some tissue is still left intact. If young enough, brain plasticity is better able to rewire itself to perform functions of removed hemisphere.
new connections are made between active neurons to create alternate neural pathways
different part of brain takes over task that damaged part usually does
Rerouting
new axon and dendrite extensions “sprout” and allow existing neurons to form new connections.
Sprouting
When would collateral sprouting be considered good, neutral, and negative?
good = replaces broken pathways
neutral = might not do anything
negative = collateral path may result in chronic pain
What are two ways the brain rewires itself after injury?
sprouting and rerouting
What therapies support the process of the brain rewiring itself after damage?
Physical and cognitive therapies (e.g., video games, exercise, language therapy)
Medication (drugs, esp. stimulants, may accelerate activity in healthy brain regions after stroke)
sharp blow to the head that does not puncture the brain
most common brain injury in young adults
closed head TBI
Why are closed head brain injuries difficult to treat?
(Coup/contre-coup) Bruising occurs at the site of impact and site of reverberation (where brain hits other side of skull)
temporary loss of blood flow of the brain
stroke
most common type of stroke resulting from blood clot or obstruction of an artery
nutrient supply is stopped and cannot get to areas of the brain
ischemic stroke
less common type of stroke resulting from ruptured artery
neurons at site of rupture are flooded with excess blood, calcium, oxygen, and other chemicals AND neurons at the end of the blood’s intended pathway are deprived of necesary nutrients
hemorrhagic stroke
Two effects of a stroke
edema and disruption of NA/K pumps
fluid accumulation, increased pressure on brain, can cause cell death
edema
effect of stroke
accumulation of NA and K ions cause hypopolarization (reduced polarization, inside of cell becomes less negatively charged and leads to more action potentials) leading to NA build up and cell death
Disruption of NA/K pumps
List the main symptoms of stroke.
BEFAST
- Balance (loss of balance)
- Eyes (loss of vision)
- Face (facial drooping)
- Arm (weakness in arm)
- Speech (difficulty with speech, slurred)
- Time (Call 911 ASAP)
3 treatments for stroke
- Cooling the brain to minimize damage – theoretically protects brain after ischemia by reducing overstimulation, apoptosis, and inflammation; not a ton of evidence for this but it doesn’t cause harm
- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) – given within 3 hours (in some cases up to 4.5 hours) to break up blood clots
- Stent – for prevention, done very rarely in high risk people
subjective mental state
emotion (scientific definition)
Behaviors associated with certain emotions have a(n) ———- basis
evolutionary
Main purposes of emotion
- aid in quick decision making
- help communicate needs to others (and understand others’ needs)
Theory of Emotion
We experience an emotion in response to a stimulus, then our body responds. (body’s reaction is determined by emotion)
Folk Psychology
We experience a physiological pattern of arousal in response to a stimulus BEFORE experiencing the emotion. (emotion is interpreted based on our body’s reaction). This is similar to the facial feedback hypothesis.
James-Lange Theory
In response to a stimulus, we experience a particular emotion and general pattern of autonomic arousal simultaneously, BUT these processes happen independently.
Cannon-Bard Theory
