1. General Psychology (PY110)
Chapter 2
Neuroscience

2. Neuroscience and Behavior
All sensory organs – Receptors
Muscles and Glands – Effectors
Neurons – Communication channel

3. The Structure of a Neuron

4. How Neurons Communicate
Communication within a neuron is electrical
Communication between neurons is chemical

5. Types of Neurons Interneurons exist only in the central nervous system
Sensory neurons carry information to the central nervous system from sensory receptors in the eyes, muscles, and glands
Motor neurons carry movement commands from the central nervous system to the rest of the body

6. Neurotransmitters, Drugs, and Poisons
Key terms:
Agonists
Antagonists
Drugs and poisons that increase the activity of one or more neurotransmitters
Drugs and poisons that decrease the activity of one or more neurotransmitters

7. Neurotransmitters
1. Acetylcholine (ACh) is involved in both learning and memory and muscle movement 2. Dopmaine impacts our arousal and mood states, thought processes, and physical movement 3. Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters involved in levels of arousal and mood, and play a major role in mood disorders such as depression 4. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system; glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter 5. Endorphins are a group of neurotransmitters that are involved in pain perception and relief

8. Dopamine
Low levels are associated with Parkinson’s disease, and excessively high levels are associated with schizophrenia
L-Dopa is an agonist that increases production of dopamine
Anti-psychotic drugs are antagonists that block the receptor sites for dopamine so that this neurotransmitter cannot send its messages
Amphetamine acts as an agonist by stimulating the release of dopamine from axon terminals
Cocaine is an agonist that blocks the re-uptake of dopamine

9. Nervous System Subdivisions

10. The Central Nervous System
Consists of the spinal cord and the brain
The spinal cord has two functions
Conduit for incoming sensory data and outgoing movement commands
Provides for spinal reflexes, which are simple automatic actions not involving the brain
The brain is the control center for the entire nervous system

11. The Peripheral Nervous System
Consists of two parts:
The somatic (or skeletal) nervous system carries sensory input from receptors to the CNS and relays commands from the CNS to the skeletal muscles to control their movement
The autonomic nervous system regulates our internal environment and consists of two parts
The sympathetic nervous system is in control when we are very aroused and prepares us for defensive action (such as running away or fighting)
The parasympathetic nervous system is in control when the aroused state ends to return our body to its normal resting state

13. Components of Emotion
An emotion is a complex psychological state that involves three components:
Physical
Behavioral
Cognitive
A physiological state of arousal triggered by the autonomic nervous system
An outward expression including facial expressions, movements and gestures
An appraisal of the situation to determine which emotion we are experiencing and how intensely

14. Emotion Theory Comparison
James-Lange Theory
Cannon-Bard Theory
Schachter-Singer Theory
Stimulus:
Sight of bear
Physiological Arousal
Emotional Response (Fear)
Emotional Response (Fear)
Stimulus:
Sight of bear
Physiological Arousal
Stimulus:
Sight of bear
Physiological Arousal
Cognitive Appraisal
Emotional Response (Fear)

15. The Central Core Brain Structures

16. The Limbic System

17. The Four Lobes and the Sensory-Motor Processing Areas

18. The Case of Phineas Gage
Phineas Gage was railroad worker who survived when a metal tamping iron flew through his left cheek and head, exiting through his frontal lobes
He became irresponsible, impulsive, disorderly, indecisive, and cursed, leading neuroscientists to think the frontal lobes are important in such behaviors

19. Language
Fluent
speech
production
Comprehension
of speech & reading

20. What we know… Left hemisphere Right hemisphere
Language
Math and logic skills
More analytical, analyzing wholes into pieces
Right hemisphere
Spatial perception
Solving spatial problems
Drawing
Face recognition
A band of neurons called the Corpus Callosum joins the two hemispheres
Allows communication and coordinates functions

21. Five Stages of Sleep
Brain wave taken by Electroencephalogram (EEG)

22. Sleep
Cycles
Cycles last about 90 minutes.
4-6 cycles each night

23. Nature of Sleep & Dreams
Stage
Wave Form
Remarks
Non –
REM 1
Alpha & Theta
‘Falling’ asleep 2
Theta
Light sleep 3
Delta
Deep Sleep
- Night terrors, Sleep walking, Sleep talking, Etc. 4
Paradoxical Sleep Dreaming occurs
Sleep (Hrs)
Awake (Hrs)
% REM
Adults 8 16
Babies
2 Types of Sleep – REM and Non-REM
Non-REM = Quantity REM = Quality
REM Sleep reduced by alcohol and sleeping pills
Sleep Deprivation (or Dream Deprivation)
Moderate – Sleep rebound
Severe – depression, impaired memory, decreased immune response
Circadian cycles – Biological clock