2.4 Psych Flashcards

The brain's ability to modify itself

tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

a brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain's natural electrical activity

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy

X-Ray rotates around head and body

a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as structure

• Language and speaking
• Deliberating a decision
• Arithmetic reasoning

• Visual spatial (Copying drawings, recognizing emotions)
• Perceptual tasks
• Subtleties of speech

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

the brain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit (conscious) memories- of facts and events- for storage

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

an area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

areas of the cerebral that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

the formation of new neurons

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them