ESSENTIALS OF PSYCHOLOGY 8TH EDITION By Robert Feldman Powerpoint slides by Kimberly Foreman

NEUROSCIENCE AND BEHAVIOR CHAPTER TWO: NEUROSCIENCE AND BEHAVIOR

MODULE 5: Neurons: The Basic Elements of Behavior Why do psychologists study the brain and nervous system? What are the basic elements of the nervous system? How does the nervous system communicate electrical and chemical messages from one part to another?

The Structure of the Neuron Neurons (Nerve cells) Basic elements of the nervous system As many as 1 trillion Figure 1 of Module 5

The Structure of the Neuron Dendrites Clusters of fibers that receive messages from other neurons Axon Carries messages received by the dendrites to other neurons

The Structure of the Neuron Terminal buttons Sends messages to other neurons Myelin sheath Protective coating of fat and protein that wraps around the axon like links of sausage

How Neurons Fire Transmit an electrical impulse along the axon All-or-none law Resting state Action potential Mirror neurons Figures 2 and 3 of Module 5

Where Neurons Meet: Bridging the Gap Synapse Space between two neurons where the axon of a sending neuron communicates with the dendrites of a receiving neuron by using chemical messages Figure 4 of Module 5

Where Neurons Meet: Bridging the Gap Neurotransmitters Chemicals that carry messages across the synapse to a dendrite of a receiving neuron Excitatory messages Increase likelihood that neuron will fire Inhibitory messages Decrease likelihood that neuron will fire Reuptake Reabsorption by the terminal button SSRIs

Neurotransmitters: Multitalented Chemical Couriers Acetylcholine (ACh) Glutamate Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) Dopamine (DA) Serotonin Endorphins Figure 5 of Module 5

MODULE 6: The Nervous System and the Endocrine System: Communicating Within the Body How are the structures of the nervous system linked together? How does the endocrine system affect behavior?

The Nervous System: Linking Neurons Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems Central nervous system Spinal cord Reflex Sensory (afferent) neurons Motor (efferent) neurons Interneurons

The Nervous System: Linking Neurons Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems Peripheral Nervous System Somatic division Voluntary movements Autonomic division Controls organs that function automatically

Activating the Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System Sympathetic Division Acts to prepare the body for action in stressful situations by engaging all of the organism’s resources to run away or confront the threat “Fight or flight” Parasympathetic Division Calms the body after emergency ends

Figure 3 of Module 6

The Evolutionary Foundations of the Nervous System Evolutionary Psychology Branch of psychology that seeks to identify how behavior is influenced and produced by our genetic inheritance from our ancestors

The Evolutionary Foundations of the Nervous System Behavioral Genetics Studies the effects of heredity on behavior Molecular genetics and psychological disorders Genetic markers Behavioral genetics, gene therapy, and genetic counseling

The Endocrine System: of Chemicals and Glands Chemical communication network that sends messages throughout the body via the bloodstream Hormones Pituitary gland “Master gland” Figure 4 of Module 6

MODULE 7: The Brain How do researchers identify the major parts and functions of the brain? What are the major parts of the brain, and for what behaviors is each part responsible?

MODULE 7: The Brain How do the two halves of the brain operate interdependently? How can an understanding of the nervous system help us find ways to alleviate disease and pain?

Studying the Brain’s Structure and Functions: Spying on the Brain Electroencephalogram (EEG) Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Figure 1 of Module 7

The Central Core: Our “Old Brain” Hindbrain Medulla Breathing and heartbeat Pons Transmitter of motor information Cerebellum Balance Figure 3 of Module 7

The Central Core: Our “Old Brain” Reticular formation Passes through the midbrain and into the forebrain Activates other parts of the brain to produce bodily arousal

The Central Core: Our “Old Brain” Thalamus Relay station for information about the senses Hypothalamus Homeostasis

The Central Core: Our “Old Brain” The Limbic System: Beyond the Central Core Amygdala Hippocampus Figure 4 of Module 7

The Cerebral Cortex: Our “New Brain” Gives the ability to think, evaluate, and make complex judgments Lobes Frontal Parietal Temporal Occipital Figure 5 of Module 7

The Cerebral Cortex: Our “New Brain” The Motor Area of the Cortex Largely responsible for the body’s voluntary movement The Sensory Area of the Cortex Corresponds to body sensations Somatosensory area Touch Pressure

Somatosensory Area Figure 7 of Module 7

The Cerebral Cortex: Our “New Brain” The Association Areas of the Cortex Executive functions Higher mental processes such as thinking, language, memory, and speech Broca’s aphasia Wernicke’s aphasia

Neuroplasticity and the Brain The brain continually reorganizing itself Neurogenesis New neurons created in certain areas of the brain during adulthood

The Specialization of the Hemispheres: Two Brains or One? Left and right symmetrical halves Lateralized Left Verbal competence Processes information sequentially Right Spatial relationships Recognition of patterns and drawings Music Emotional expression Processes information globally

The Split Brain: Exploring the Two Hemispheres Split-brain patients Corpus callosum surgically cut Figure 8 of Module 7