Psychology Unit 5 - the Brain

Unit 5 – The Brain : 

Unit 5 – The Brain AP? Psychology From A Christian Worldview

The Brain : 

The Brain Enables the mind. Seeing, Hearing, Smelling Feeling, Remembering, Thinking Speaking, Dreaming It is the brain that self-reflectively analyzes the brain. When we’re thinking about our brain, we’re thinking with our brain. The mind is what the brain does.

Older vs. Newer Brain Structures : 

Older vs. Newer Brain Structures This is an evolutionary worldview This world view believes that the “older” brain structures are more primitive and developed earlier on the evolutionary timeline. Newer brain structures are just that, newer in development related to the evolutionary timeline. As Christian psychologists we must reject any perspective from an evolutionary standpoint. As Christians we believe that God formed the human brain in its entirety when he created Adam.

“Older” Brain Structures : 

“Older” Brain Structures Brainstem Thalamus Reticular Formation Cerebellum

“Older” Brain Structures cont. : 

“Older” Brain Structures cont.

The Brainstem : 

The Brainstem E.Q. “What are the functions of the brainstem and its associated structures?” Begins where the spinal cord enters the skull. The first “swell” is the medulla – controls heartbeat and breathing. Just above the medulla is the pons – helps coordinate movements. Is a crossover point, where most nerves to and from each side of the brain connect with the body’s opposite side.

The Thalamus : 

The Thalamus Located at the top of the brainstem. Is the brain’s sensory switchboard. Receives information from all the senses except smell. Routes information to the brain regions that deal with seeing, hearing, tasting, and touching.

The Reticular Formation : 

The Reticular Formation Inside the brainstem between your ears. “Netlike” finger-shaped network of neurons. Extends from the spinal cord right up to the thalamus. Filters incoming stimuli. Relays important information to other parts of the brain. Involved in arousal.

The Cerebellum : 

The Cerebellum Extends from the rear of the brainstem. Size of a baseball. It means “little brain”. Enables nonverbal learning and memory. Helps us judge time, modulate our emotions, and discriminate sounds and textures. Coordinates voluntary movement.

“Older” Brain Structures Note: : 

“Older” Brain Structures Note: These “older” brain functions all occur without any conscious effort. Our brain processes most information outside of our awareness. Whether awake or asleep, our brainstem manages our life-sustaining functions.

The Limbic System : 

The Limbic System Hippocampus Amygdala [uh-MIG-duh-la] Hypothalamus

The Limbic System cont. : 

The Limbic System cont.

The Limbic System cont. : 

The Limbic System cont. E.Q. What are the functions of limbic system structures? It lies at the border (“limbus”) of the brain’s older parts and the cerebral hemispheres or two halves of the brain. Has important links to emotions such as fear and anger. Links to basic motives such as those for food and sex. The hippocampus processes memory.

The Amygdala : 

The Amygdala Influences fear and aggression. Perception of rage and fear. Processing of emotional memories. Note: Both aggressive and fearful behavior involve neural activity in all brain levels, not solely in the amygdala. ?YouTube Video: Dr. Jose Delgado

The Hypothalamus : 

The Hypothalamus Performs specific bodily maintenance duties. Influences hunger, thirst, and body temperature. Monitors blood chemistry. Takes orders from other parts of the brain. Contains reward centers.

Brain Structures and Functions : 

Brain Structures and Functions

The Cerebral Cortex : 

The Cerebral Cortex The cerebrum the two large hemispheres of the brain. 85% of the brain’s weight. Specialized neural networks enable perceiving, thinking, and speaking. Covered by the cerebral cortex: Like bark covering the cerebrum. Is your brain’s thinking crown. Your body’s ultimate control center and information processing center.

Structure of the Cortex : 

Structure of the Cortex E.Q. “How is the cerebral cortex organized? The cerebrum is mostly filled with axon connections between the brain’s surface (cerebral cortex) and its other regions. Contains between 20-23 billion nerve cells. 300 trillion synaptic connections. Divided into four lobes on each hemisphere Geographic subdivisions separated by prominent fissures, or folds. Frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal. Each carries out many functions, and many functions require several lobes.

Cortex and Subdivisions : 

Cortex and Subdivisions

Functions of the Cortex : 

Functions of the Cortex Motor Functions Sensory Functions Association Areas Language: Specialization and Integration

Functions of the Cortex cont. : 

Functions of the Cortex cont. E.Q. “What are the functions of the cerebral cortex?” Motor functions are processed in the motor cortex. Areas requiring precise control occupy the greatest amount of cortical space. Sensory functions are processed in the sensory cortex. The more sensitive a body region, the larger the sensory cortex area devoted to it.

Motor Cortex & Sensory Cortex : 

Motor Cortex & Sensory Cortex

Association Areas : 

Association Areas A full three-fourths of the thin wrinkled layer, the cerebral cortex, is uncommitted to sensory or muscular activity. Neurons in these association areas integrate information. Link sensory inputs with stored memories; an important part of thinking. Found in all four lobes.

Language: Specialization & Integration : 

Language: Specialization & Integration Damage to any one of several cortical areas can cause aphasia, an impaired use of language. Steps to how we use language: When you read aloud, the words – Register in the visual area. Are relayed to the angular gyrus, which transforms words into auditory codes that Is received and understood in Wernicke’s area and Is sent to Broca’s area, Which controls the motor cortex as it creates the pronounced word.

Language Processing : 

Language Processing

The Brain’s Plasticity : 

The Brain’s Plasticity E.Q. “Is the brain capable of reorganizing itself if damaged?” Our brains are shaped by our genes and by our experiences. The brain’s plasticity demonstrates its ability to modify itself after some types of damage. Severed neurons usually do not regenerate. Some brain functions seemed preassigned to certain areas. Some neural tissue can reorganize in response to damage. Plasticity is especially evident after serious injury.

Our Divided Brain – Splitting the Brain : 

Our Divided Brain – Splitting the Brain E.Q. “What is a split brain, and what does it reveal about brain functioning?” The brain’s two sides serve differing functions. Hemispheric specialization (or lateralization) is apparent after brain damage. Split brain is a condition in which the brain’s two hemispheres are isolated by cutting the fibers of the corpus callosum connecting them.