1. Mr. Leonoff WICHS Psychology
Body and Behavior
Mr. Leonoff
WICHS
Psychology

2. The Nervous System Purpose: Regulate the body’s functions
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Brain and Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Nerves that reach from Spinal Cord to Rest of Body
Transmit info from organs to CNS/CNS to organs
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Voluntary Activities
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Involuntary Activities
Heartbeat, Digestion, Breathing…
Sympathetic Nervous System – prepare for emergencies/strenuous activity (Increases HR, blood flow to needed muscles, slows digestion)
Parasympathetic Nervous System – Conserve energy/enhance recovery (bring back to normal state/slows HR & Blood Pressure)

3. The Nervous System

4. The Nervous System Neurons Types of Neurons
“Nerves” that transmit messages to and from the brain
Synapse – space between neurons
Neurotransmitters – chemicals that excite or inhibit nerve function
Types of Neurons
Afferent (Sensory)
Relay messages from sense organs to brain (eyes, ears, nose, skin)
Efferent (Motor)
Send signals from brain to glands and muscles
Coordinates movement
Interneurons
Process signals between neurons

5. The Nervous System Neurotransmitters
Glutamate – memory, learning, communication among receptors
GABA – quiet the body and muscles
Alcohol = Glutamate receptors slow/GABA work harder
Loss of memory and Body Slows (lack of body functions)
Norepinephrine – memory and learning
Endorphins – inhibit pain
Acetylcholine – movement and memory
Dopamine – learning, emotional arousal, movement
Serotonin – Sleep Regulation

6. The Brain Three Parts: Hindbrain – Basic processes of life
Cerebellum – posture, balance, voluntary movements
Medulla – breathing, HR, reflexes
Pons – bridge between spinal cord and brain, produces sleep chemicals
Midbrain – arouses brain, integrates & relays sensory info
Midbrain, medulla, pons compose brain stem
Reticular Activating System (RAS) spans across these structures
Alerts brain to incoming signals, sleep/wake cycle
Forebrain – covers the brain’s central core, higher thinking centers
Thalamus – sensory input, relays to and from cortex
Hypothalamus – Hunger, Thirst, Sexual Behavior, Temp Control
Cerebral Cortex – learn, stores complex and abstract info, see, read, understand
Cerebrum – Conscious thinking processes
Limbic System – regulate emotions and motivations

7. The Brain Limbic System, cont. Hypothalamus
Amygdala – violent emotions (rage/fear)
Thalamus
Hippocampus – formation of memories

8. The Brain Cerebrum, cont.
Two hemispheres connected by the Corpus Callosum
Complement and help each other
Right hemisphere controls left side of body
Visual/spatial awareness, Perception, Patterns (Music/art), Creativity
Left hemisphere controls right side of body
Speech, math ability, calculation, logic
Each Hemisphere has regions called lobes
Occipital – visual signals processed
Parietal – Senses
Temporal – hearing, memory, emotion, speaking
Frontal – organization, planning, creative thinking
Split Brain Operations

9. The Brain

10. The Brain Studying the Brain Electrodes
Record electrical activity in the brain using an electroencephalograph (EEG)
Lesions
Cutting/destroying part of a brain (animal) then study behavior changes
Accidents
Brain injured patients can help draw connections between damaged parts of brain and behavior
Disorders
Sensory disorders where associations with senses are not “normal”
Images
CT/PET/MRI Scans – pinpoint damage to structues or activity in brain

11. The Endocrine System Endocrine System Autonomic Nervous System
Endocrine Glands release hormones (chemicals) into blood stream
Slower than Nerve Impulses
Affect growth, metabolism, stress, mood

12. The Endocrine System Areas of Hormones: Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland (Controls hormones to receptors)
Regulates hormonal activity
Thyroid Gland (Neck)
Energy use and Protein creation
Produces Thyroxine (stimulates chemical reactions for all tissues)
Hypothyroidism – lazy and lethargic/Hyperthyroidism – lose weight/sleep, overactive
Adrenal Glands (Kidneys)
Mood, Energy, Stress Management
Increase HR/Breathing
Fear/Anxiety
Metabolism/Water & Salt levels in body
Cortical Steroids – blood pressure, inflammation, immune respone
Ovaries/Testicles
Growth and Sex Hormones

13. Heredity and Environment
Twin Studies
Nature vs. Nurture
Video 1
Video 2