Unit 4

 

Brain

amygdala-influences emotions of fear and aggression

medulla-controls breathing and heartbeat

cerebellum-processes sensory input and coordinates movement output and balance

corpus callosum-large band of neural fibers that link the right and left hemispheres of the brain

Wernicke’s area-located in the temporal lobe, involved in language comprehension and expression

Broca’s area-located in the frontal lobe involved in the motor ability of producing speech

occipital lobe-receives information from the eyes

frontal lobe-involves in speaking and muscle movement and in making plans and judgments

parietal lobe- contains the sensory cortex

temporal lobe-contains the auditory areas which receives information from the ears

hippocampus-involves with memory and spatial navigation

hypothalamus-regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and arousal, also controls the endocrine system

thalamus-routes incoming messages to appropriate areas and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

spinal cord-spreads messages throughout the body

parasympathetic nervous system-division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving the energy

sympathetic nervous system-division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

association areas-involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, and abstract thinking

All or none principle-either a neuron fires or it does not fire at all

 

PET-(positron emission tomography)-scan measures the levels of activity of different areas of the brain by tracing their consumption of a radioactive form of glucose the brain's fuel.

CAT- (computerized axial tomography) special X-ray tests that produce cross-sectional images of the body using X-rays and a computer

EEG-(electroencephalogram)-is an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity of the brain.

MRI-(magnetic resonance imaging)- uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that show brain structures more clearly.

 

Endocrine system-is a collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neurotransmitters

Serotonin-transmits nerve impulses and is involved with depression,

ACH-responsible for the stimulation of muscles

Dopamine-controls reward and pleasure center and regulates emotions and responses

Endorphins-opiate like transmitters that halt pain and control pleasure,

Glutamate-responsible for safeguarding and developing memory.

GABA-responsible for preventing anxiety, acts as a relaxant.

 

Accommodation-changing an existing schema to adapt to new information.

Assimilation-incorporating new experiences into existing schemas.

Schema-the ways we interpret the world around us.

Hormones-signaling molecules that target distant organs to regulate physiology and behavior.

Primary sex characteristics-body structures that make reproduction possible.

 

Stages of death and dying by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

1.Denial

2.Anger

3.Bargaining

4.Depression

5.Acceptance

 

Critical period-a period during someone's development in which a particular skill or characteristic is believed to be most readily acquired.

 

Styles of parenting

authoritarian-strict standard for children's behavior

authoritative-reasonable standard of expectations, and encourage independence.

permissive-allows freedom, lax parenting, don't enforce rules consistently.

 

 

Rooting vs. grasping reflex

Rooting-when an infant is touched on its cheek it will turn i's head in that direction.

Grasping- if an object is placed in a baby's palm it will try to grasp it with its fingers.

 

Crystallized vs. fluid intelligence

Crystallized-grows with age and is based on experiences

Fluid-covers abstract thinking and problem solving and recognizing patterns

 

Conservation-stage in children from 4-5, their preoperational stage.