the brain & behavior

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The Brain & Behavior

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Page 1: The Brain & Behavior

The Brain

& Behavior

Page 2: 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

Page 3: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 4: The Brain & Behavior

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

Page 5: The Brain & Behavior

Siemens fMRI Unit

From singularityhub.com

Page 6: The Brain & Behavior

Brain Scans & Humor: 2006

Page 7: The Brain & Behavior

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

Page 8: The Brain & Behavior

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.

Page 9: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 10: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 11: The Brain & Behavior

Figure 3.12 Structures and areas in the human brain

Page 12: The Brain & Behavior

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

Page 13: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 14: The Brain & Behavior

Figure 3.14 The cerebral hemispheres and the corpus callosum

Page 15: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 16: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 17: The Brain & Behavior
Page 18: The Brain & Behavior

( adapted from Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)

Page 19: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 20: The Brain & Behavior

Figure 3.15 The cerebral cortex in humans

Page 21: The Brain & Behavior

Figure 3.14

(Cengage, 2019)

Page 22: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 23: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 24: The Brain & Behavior
Page 25: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 26: The Brain & Behavior

Figure 3.16 Language processing in the brain

See Fig. 3.16

on p. 89

Page 27: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 28: The Brain & Behavior

( 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

Page 29: The Brain & Behavior
Page 30: The Brain & Behavior

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)

Page 31: The Brain & Behavior

(Cengage, 2019)

Page 32: The Brain & Behavior

Taking Tests

in

Intro Psych

Page 33: The Brain & Behavior

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

Page 34: The Brain & Behavior

✓ 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