the brain & behavior

The Brain

& Behavior

Be able to recognize:

1. Tools used to study the brain.

2. Major brain regions, their components, and functions.

3. Functions of medulla, pons, cerebellum, reticular formation

and activating system, cerebral hemispheres, and corpus

callosum.

4. Role of limbic system and its components

5. Examples of brain malfunctions and their locations

6. Key glands in the endocrine system and their functions

Objectives

Looking Inside the Brain: Research Methods

• Lesioning – Destroying a piece of the brain

• Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB) – Sending a weak

electric current into a brain structure to stimulate (activate) it

• CT (computerized tomography) scan – A computer-enhanced X-

ray of brain structure

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan – Uses magnetic fields,

radio waves, and computerized enhancement to map out brain

structure

• PET (positron emission tomography) scan – Uses radioactive

markers to map chemical activity in the brain over time

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) – Variations on

MRI technology that monitor blood flow and oxygen consumption in

the brain to identify areas of high activity

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

(Cengage, 2019)

Early information on the link

between the brain and emotions

came from a case study on

Phineas Gage.

( adapted from Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)

Damage Studies

Example: Phineas Gage

Siemens fMRI Unit

From singularityhub.com

Brain Scans & Humor: 2006

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(Adapted from Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011)

The Central Nervous System (CNS)

The Spinal Cord

• The spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body

through the peripheral nervous system.

• It is part of the central nervous system.

The Brain

• Anatomically, the brain is the part of the central nervous

system that fills the upper portion of the skull.

• It contains billions of interacting cells that integrate

information from inside and outside the body.

Region Functions Components

Forebrain Emotion & complex thought

Thalamus,

hypothalamus, limbic

system, cerebrum,

cerebral cortex

Midbrain Sensory functions

Dopaminergic

projections, reticular

activating system

Hindbrain Vital functionsMedulla, pons, and cerebellum

Major Brain Regions & Functions

( adapted from Thomson Higher Education, 2007, 2001)

The Hindbrain

• Hindbrain – The part of the brain that includes the

cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of

the brainstem: the medulla and the pons

– Medulla – Attaches to the spinal cord; controls largely

unconscious but essential functions, such as breathing,

maintaining muscle tone, and regulating circulation

– Pons – Includes a bridge of fibers that connects the brainstem

with the cerebellum. Influences sleep and arousal

– Cerebellum – A relatively large and deeply folded structure

located adjacent to the back surface of the brainstem

Regulates posture, muscle tone, and muscular coordination

(Cengage, 2019)

Figure 3.12 Structures and areas in the human brain

The Hindbrain to Midbrain

Midbrain – The segment of the brainstem that lies between

the hindbrain and the forebrain

• Reticular Formation (RF): Inside medulla; associated

with alertness, attention, breathing, pain perception and some

muscle reflexes

• Reticular Activating System (RAS): Part of RF

that keeps it active and alert. Like an alarm clock - activates

and arouses cerebral cortex

The Forebrain

• Cerebrum – The largest and most complex part

of the human brain

– Cerebral cortex – The convoluted outer layer of the

cerebrum

– Cerebral hemispheres – The right and left halves of

the cerebrum

– Corpus callosum – The major structure that

connects the two cerebral hemispheres

(Cengage, 2019)

Figure 3.14 The cerebral hemispheres and the corpus callosum

The corpus callosum is

the major “cable

system” through which

the right and left

cerebral hemispheres

communicate. A study

found that the corpus

callosum is larger in

classically trained

musicians than it is in

nonmusicians. When a

person plays a violin or

piano, the two

hemispheres must

communicate rapidly

as they coordinate the

movements of both

hands. Presumably,

the size of the corpus

callosum can be

altered by early

experience, such as

musical training.

( adapted from Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)

Right Brain/Left Brain: Cerebral Specialization?

• Left hemisphere

– verbal processing: language, speech, reading, writing

• Right hemisphere

– nonverbal processing: spatial, musical, visual recognition

(Adapted from Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011)

( adapted from Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)

See name

Each side of brain

Just above occipital

Back of brain

Location

Movement, sense of smell, higher

mental functions; contains motor

cortex that controls movement

Frontal

Auditory and language centersTemporal

Bodily sensations such as touch,

pain, and temperatureParietal

Vision centerOccipital

FunctionLobe

Lobes of Cerebral Cortex

( adapted from Thomson Higher Education, 2007, 2001)

Figure 3.15 The cerebral cortex in humans

Figure 3.14

(Cengage, 2019)

More on the Forebrain

• Forebrain – The largest and most complicated region of

the brain, encompassing a variety of structures, including

the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and

cerebrum

– Thalamus – A structure in the forebrain through which all

sensory information (except smell) must pass to get to the

cerebral cortex

– Hypothalamus – A structure found near the base of the

forebrain that is involved in the regulation of basic biological

needs

– Limbic system – A loosely connected network of structures

roughly located along the border between the cerebral cortex

and deeper subcortical areas

(Cengage, 2019)

Limbic System

Structures within FOREBRAIN that are part of LIMBIC

SYSTEM (System closely linked to emotional response):

▪ Thalamus: Relays sensory information (except smell) on way

to cortex; “switchboard” plus integrating information

▪ Hypothalamus: Regulates emotional behaviors and basic

drives (see “The Four F’s” in text); also controls autonomic

nervous system and hormone release

▪ Amygdala: Associated with learning fear responses

processing basic emotional responses

▪ Hippocampus: Associated with storing memories

(Adapted from Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011)

Examples of Brain Malfunctions

• Aphasia: Speech disturbance resulting from brain damage

• Broca’s Area: Related to language and speech production.

– If damaged, person knows what s/he wants to say but can’t

say the words

• Wernicke’s Area: Related to language comprehension.

– If damaged, person has problems with meanings of words,

NOT pronunciation

(Adapted from Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011)

Figure 3.16 Language processing in the brain

See Fig. 3.16

on p. 89

The Plasticity of the Brain

• Research has shown that:

– Aspects of experience can sculpt features of brain

structure.

– Damage to incoming sensory pathways or the

destruction of brain tissue can lead to neural

reorganization.

– The adult brain can generate new neurons.

• Neurogenesis – The formation of new neurons

(Cengage, 2019)

( adapted from Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)

Glands that pour chemicals (hormones) directly into

bloodstream or lymph system

Example:

Pituitary Gland – “Master Gland”:

Regulates growth via growth hormone

Too little means person will be smaller than average

Too much leads to GIGANTISM – excessive body growth

due to too much growth hormone released late in growth period

Endocrine System

Hormones – chemical messengers in the bloodstream

Sex hormonesGonads

Sugar metabolismPancreas

Salt and carbohydrate metabolismAdrenal

Metabolic rateThyroid

FunctionGland

Endocrine System: Other Glands & Hormones

( adapted from Thomson Higher Education, 2007, 2001)

(Cengage, 2019)

Taking Tests

in

Intro Psych

Taking Tests in Intro Psych

✓ Study! (Don't just read the text)

✓ Don't rush through multiple-choice items; read question

& all responses carefully - you will have time.

✓ Eliminate responses that are silly or obviously incorrect.

✓ Look for words in answers like "always“, verb tenses

that do not agree, or other grammar clues.

✓ Do not try to read too much into a question or response

✓ If part of a response is a term or idea that you've

never heard of, there may be a reason…

✓ Relax.

✓ No cheating, etc.

Taking Tests in Intro Psych