Biopsychology
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- Created by: Shahira
- Created on: 18-10-23 15:08
What are the Two divisions of the central nervous system?
Brain
Spinal cord
Spinal cord
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What are the divisions of the peripheral nervous system ?
Somatic
Autonomic- Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Autonomic- Sympathetic and parasympathetic
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What is the function of the somatic nervous system
To take messages via sensory neurons and relay neurons from the senses to the central nervous system
To then take messages from the central nervous system to reactors (such as muscles) via relay neurons and motor neurons
To then take messages from the central nervous system to reactors (such as muscles) via relay neurons and motor neurons
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What is the function of the sympathetic
nervous system ?
nervous system ?
The sympathetic nervous system is involved in responses which help us deal with emergencies. (fight or flight response)
- It increases heart rate, dilates bronchi,
adrenaline is released and muscles prepared for action.
- It also slows bodily processes
- It increases heart rate, dilates bronchi,
adrenaline is released and muscles prepared for action.
- It also slows bodily processes
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What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system ?
The parasympathetic nervous system that relaxes the individual once the emergency has passed (eg. slows the heart rate down and reduces blood pressure) and conserves the body’s natural
activity by decreasing activity/maintaining it. It also reactivates di
activity by decreasing activity/maintaining it. It also reactivates di
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What is the endocrine system?
- The system of glands in the human body that control the release of hormones
- These are slower acting than the nervous system and are chemical in their function
- Each gland release a different hormone – each of these hormones has a particular functio
- These are slower acting than the nervous system and are chemical in their function
- Each gland release a different hormone – each of these hormones has a particular functio
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Name two Glands, the hormones
they release and their function?
they release and their function?
Thyroid gland - Thyroxine - Controls metabolism
Pancreas - Insulin - Controls sugar levels important for diabetes
Adrenal gland - Adrenaline - Fight or flight response
Pancreas - Insulin - Controls sugar levels important for diabetes
Adrenal gland - Adrenaline - Fight or flight response
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What are the three main types of neuron?
- Sensory
- Relay
- Motor
- Relay
- Motor
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What is the function of the Sensory Neuron?
- Sensory: convey information about sensory stimuli (e.g. vision, touch, taste) towards the brain (CNS).
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What is the function of the Relay Neuron?
- Relay: connect different parts of the nervous system – allow parts of the Nervous system to
communicate with each other
communicate with each other
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What is the function of the Motor Neuron?
- Motor: Instructions to produce a response to change a stimuli e.g. release of
hormones from glands, muscle movement, digestion.
hormones from glands, muscle movement, digestion.
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What is the general structure of a neuron?
- Dendrite
- Cell body
- Axon /Myelin
- Axon terminal
(Look at a diagram)
- Cell body
- Axon /Myelin
- Axon terminal
(Look at a diagram)
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What are the 5 stages of neural transmission?
[Step 1 and Step 2]
[Step 1 and Step 2]
1: An action potential creates an electrical impulse that travels along the axon of the presynaptic neuron.
2: This triggers the nerve-ending of the pre-synaptic neuron to release chemical
messengers called neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap.
2: This triggers the nerve-ending of the pre-synaptic neuron to release chemical
messengers called neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap.
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What are the 5 stages of neural transmission?
[Step 3 and Step 4]
[Step 3 and Step 4]
3: These chemicals diffuse across the synapse (the gap) and bind with receptor molecules on the membrane of the post-synaptic neuron.
4: The receptor molecules on the post-synaptic neuron bind only to the specific chemicals released from the first neuron
4: The receptor molecules on the post-synaptic neuron bind only to the specific chemicals released from the first neuron
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What are the 5 stages of neural transmission?
[Step 5]
[Step 5]
5: Reuptake - the neurotransmitter is reabsorbed in the vesicles of the pre-synaptic neuron after it has performed its function of
transmitting a neural impulse.
transmitting a neural impulse.
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What is meant by excitatory neurotransmitters?
Excitatory:
the systems on switches that
- Makes synaptic transmission more likely to
be triggered: for example noradrenaline which produce states of
excitement
the systems on switches that
- Makes synaptic transmission more likely to
be triggered: for example noradrenaline which produce states of
excitement
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What is meant by
inhibitory neurotransmitters?
inhibitory neurotransmitters?
Inhibitory:
The systems ‘off switches’ that make neurotransmission less likely to be
triggered
- For example, serotonin and GABA calms activity in the nervous system and produces states of relaxation
The systems ‘off switches’ that make neurotransmission less likely to be
triggered
- For example, serotonin and GABA calms activity in the nervous system and produces states of relaxation
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Define localization of function?
The idea that different areas of the brain are responsible for different
processes.
processes.
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Label the Brain below with localized function?
A = Motor cortex
B = Somatosensory cortex
C =Visual cortex
D = Wernick’s area – speech comprehension
E = Auditory cortex
F = Broca’s area–speech production
G = Decision making
B = Somatosensory cortex
C =Visual cortex
D = Wernick’s area – speech comprehension
E = Auditory cortex
F = Broca’s area–speech production
G = Decision making
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How credible is localization of
function as an explanation for brain function?
[Support]
function as an explanation for brain function?
[Support]
[DP = is credible because has supporting evidence]
- Brain scan evidence: Peterson et al. (1988) scanned brains to demonstrate Wernicke’s area being active during a listening task, and Broca’s area active during a reading task.
-> Suggesting these
are
- Brain scan evidence: Peterson et al. (1988) scanned brains to demonstrate Wernicke’s area being active during a listening task, and Broca’s area active during a reading task.
-> Suggesting these
are
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How credible is localization of brain function?
[Against}
[Against}
[DP = is not credible because had critical evidence]
- Lashley challenges the idea that different functions were carried out by specific areas of the brain. Although basic motor and
sensory functions are localised, often high mental functions are not. I
- Lashley challenges the idea that different functions were carried out by specific areas of the brain. Although basic motor and
sensory functions are localised, often high mental functions are not. I
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To what extent is localization of brain function a good explanation to brain function?
[For]
[For]
[DP = is good explanation because supporting evidence]
- Evidence from stroke patients demonstrates that damage to particular areas of the brain leads to a loss of function suggesting specific function for these areas.
E.g. Individual’s with Broca and Wer
- Evidence from stroke patients demonstrates that damage to particular areas of the brain leads to a loss of function suggesting specific function for these areas.
E.g. Individual’s with Broca and Wer
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To what extent is localization of brain function a good explanation to brain function?
[Against]
[Against]
[DP= is not a good explanation because alternative explanations could better explain brain function]
Rasmussen’s syndrome – young children with RS (extreme epilepsy which affect the right hemisphere) had their right hemisphere removed and have recovere
Rasmussen’s syndrome – young children with RS (extreme epilepsy which affect the right hemisphere) had their right hemisphere removed and have recovere
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What is brain plasticity ?
- Plasticity is the brains ability to change and adapt as a result of experience and new learning
- The level of plasticity can be a change due to experience such as learning
E.g. Maguire's Taxi Drivers study
- plasticity can also occur in response to
- The level of plasticity can be a change due to experience such as learning
E.g. Maguire's Taxi Drivers study
- plasticity can also occur in response to
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Outline Maguire's Taxi Driver Study?
Maguire - studied taxi drivers and their MRI scans MRI scans revealed that the posterior portion of the hippocampus (semantic and visuo-spatial
memory store) was significantly larger in taxi drivers than a matched control group
- This means that the bra
memory store) was significantly larger in taxi drivers than a matched control group
- This means that the bra
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How does brain plasticity work?
- Secondary neural pathways, that wouldn’t normally carry out those functions are activated to enable functioning to continue, often like before.
- Neural regeneration is sometimes possible as damaged areas are repaired through neural regeneration in spe
- Neural regeneration is sometimes possible as damaged areas are repaired through neural regeneration in spe
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Identify two factors that may affect
functional recovery
functional recovery
- Education
- Age
- Age
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What is evidence into Education affecting functional recovery?
Education - Schneider (2014)
- Found that patients with a degree were 7 times more likely to recover than those who left school at 16 from a stroke after 1 year.
-> This may indicate that the more we use our brain for problem solving the more chance t
- Found that patients with a degree were 7 times more likely to recover than those who left school at 16 from a stroke after 1 year.
-> This may indicate that the more we use our brain for problem solving the more chance t
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What is evidence into Age affecting functional recovery?
Age - Elbert (2001)
- Found that functional recovery after trauma
is affected by age. The younger you are the more plastic your brain and the more likely you are to make a fuller recovery. Age
decreases the extent of the recovery.
- Found that functional recovery after trauma
is affected by age. The younger you are the more plastic your brain and the more likely you are to make a fuller recovery. Age
decreases the extent of the recovery.
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How useful is the brain plasticity explanation? [Support]
[DP= is useful because has practical application]
Rasmussen’s syndrome – young children with RS
(extreme form of epilepsy which affect the right
hemisphere) have had their right hemisphere removed and have recovered nearly full function
-> Useful becau
Rasmussen’s syndrome – young children with RS
(extreme form of epilepsy which affect the right
hemisphere) have had their right hemisphere removed and have recovered nearly full function
-> Useful becau
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How useful is the brain plasticity explanation? [Against]
[DP = is not useful because ungeneralizable, can't help everyone]
- Plasticity decreases with age and so may be limited in its application. Elbert et al (2001) conclude that the capacity for neural reorganization is much greater in children than in adul
- Plasticity decreases with age and so may be limited in its application. Elbert et al (2001) conclude that the capacity for neural reorganization is much greater in children than in adul
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How credible is the brain plasticity explanation? [Support]
[DP = is credible because has a wealth of supporting evidence]
- Maguire: shows that brain plasticity allows the brain to adapt to our environment and to respond to cognitive demands (taxi drivers brains changed physically to deal with the demands of th
- Maguire: shows that brain plasticity allows the brain to adapt to our environment and to respond to cognitive demands (taxi drivers brains changed physically to deal with the demands of th
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How credible is the brain plasticity explanation? [Against]
[DP = is not credible because has critical evidence]
- Schneider et al (2014): found that recovery was
affected by length of education. This suggests that
previous use of our neural functions may affect the level of plasticity in the brain.
-> This qu
- Schneider et al (2014): found that recovery was
affected by length of education. This suggests that
previous use of our neural functions may affect the level of plasticity in the brain.
-> This qu
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Define brain lateralization?
The idea that the brain has two hemispheres
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Outline Sperry's study into
lateralization of brain function?
lateralization of brain function?
- Natural experiment
- Involved 11 participants with split brains due to
the participants having their corpus collosum severed due to severe epilepsy
- Participants were shown images into their left visual field and right visual field and asked to descri
- Involved 11 participants with split brains due to
the participants having their corpus collosum severed due to severe epilepsy
- Participants were shown images into their left visual field and right visual field and asked to descri
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Outline the findings of Sperry's study?
Findings:
- When information was presented to the left visual field (right hemisphere) they could not name what they had seen.
- However, they had no trouble pointing to a matching picture using their left hand (right
hemisphere) or they could draw the
- When information was presented to the left visual field (right hemisphere) they could not name what they had seen.
- However, they had no trouble pointing to a matching picture using their left hand (right
hemisphere) or they could draw the
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Outline the findings of Sperry's study?
[Part 2]
[Part 2]
Findings 2:
- When information was presented to the right visual field (left hemisphere) they could describe what they had seen and draw with their
right hand.
- When information was presented to the right visual field (left hemisphere) they could describe what they had seen and draw with their
right hand.
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Outline the conclusions of Sperry's study?
Conclusions:
- Language is located in the left hemisphere of the brain.
- The right brain controls the left hand side of the body and the left brain controls the right side of the body
- Language is located in the left hemisphere of the brain.
- The right brain controls the left hand side of the body and the left brain controls the right side of the body
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To what extent is Sperry's study useful?
[Support]
[Support]
[DP - is useful because has good practical application]
Great contribution to the area of
brain research and provides very convincing
evidence of lateralization of brain function in
terms of language with language located in the
left hemisphere.
Great contribution to the area of
brain research and provides very convincing
evidence of lateralization of brain function in
terms of language with language located in the
left hemisphere.
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To what extent is Sperry's study useful?
[Against]
[Against]
[DP - is not useful because it may not be possible to generalise]
-Szaflarki et al. (2006): found that language became more lateralized to the left hemisphere with increasing age in children and
adolescents
-> therefore research suggests lateralization
-Szaflarki et al. (2006): found that language became more lateralized to the left hemisphere with increasing age in children and
adolescents
-> therefore research suggests lateralization
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To what extent is Sperry's methodology good?
[Support]
[Support]
[DP = has high reliability suggesting it uses good methodology]
- Sperry used a highly reliable standardized procedures to carry out his investigations. The
process of visual information only being shown to
one hemisphere in a standardized way allowed th
- Sperry used a highly reliable standardized procedures to carry out his investigations. The
process of visual information only being shown to
one hemisphere in a standardized way allowed th
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To what extent is Sperry's methodology good?
[Against]
[Against]
[DP - does not use good methodology because study lacks external validity]
- Lacks ecological validity: as in real life the dual visual field compensates for the lack of corpus callosom
- Lacks ecological validity: as in real life the dual visual field compensates for the lack of corpus callosom
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Explain fMRI scans?
- A brain scanner which measures increased blood flow to brain sites when individuals are asked to perform cognitive/physical tasks.
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Give an advantage of fMRI scans?
- Very precise measurement allows for localization of function to be identified
E.g. Peterson (1988) on Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area.
- No exposure to radiation-so no long term effects
E.g. Peterson (1988) on Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area.
- No exposure to radiation-so no long term effects
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Give a disadvantage of fMRI scan?
- It can only capture a clear image if the person stays still so not suitable for all patients such as children/ epilepsy
- More expensive than other method
- Data is correlational – not causation
- More expensive than other method
- Data is correlational – not causation
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Explain EEGs scans
- It measures electrical activity in the brain using electrodes attached to the scalp
–> allows for the measurement of brainwaves
–> allows for the measurement of brainwaves
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Give Advantages of EEGs?
- EEGs have medical applications in diagnosing disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
- It is a safe method as it is not invasive in any way
- It is a safe method as it is not invasive in any way
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Give disadvantages of EEGs?
- Hard to pinpoint exactly which area is producing this activity
–> can only identify a general area so not good at identifying location of function
–> can only identify a general area so not good at identifying location of function
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Explain ERPs scans?
- ERP’s are very small voltage changes in the brain that allow brainwave responses to a specific event to be recorded
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What are the advantages of ERP scans?
- Higher temporal resolution – can pinpoint brain activity at a precise moment
- Demand characteristics are not possible as we cannot control our brainwaves – eg when lying
- Demand characteristics are not possible as we cannot control our brainwaves – eg when lying
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What are the disadvantages of ERP scans?
- Extraneous stimuli must be eliminated in order to collect pure data so it is difficult to make conclusions
- Correlational evidence not causation
- Correlational evidence not causation
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Explain post mortem discussions?
- Brains from dead individuals who displayed cognitive abnormalities whilst alive
can be dissected to check for structural abnormalities
can be dissected to check for structural abnormalities
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Give advantages of post mortem?
- Allow for detailed examinations and measurement of deep brain structures. This
evidence was key in our early understanding of how the brain worked. Broca and Wernicke both relied on post-mortem evidence in their research.
- They provide medical knowled
evidence was key in our early understanding of how the brain worked. Broca and Wernicke both relied on post-mortem evidence in their research.
- They provide medical knowled
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Give disadvantages of post mortem?
- Observed damage may not be linked to the actual deficit of the individual, but
could be caused by other traumas or brain decay
-> correlational not causal
- May be unethical as deceased people are not able to provide informed
consent
could be caused by other traumas or brain decay
-> correlational not causal
- May be unethical as deceased people are not able to provide informed
consent
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What are the three types of
biological rhythms?
biological rhythms?
- Circadian rhythms
- Ultradian rhythms
- Infradian rhythms
- Ultradian rhythms
- Infradian rhythms
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What are Circadian Rhythms?
Circadian rhythms:
follow a 24-hour cycle: e.g. the sleep-waking
cycle
follow a 24-hour cycle: e.g. the sleep-waking
cycle
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What are Ultradian Rhythms?
Ultradian rhythms:
occur more than once a day e.g. hunger
occur more than once a day e.g. hunger
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What are Infradium Rhythms?
Infradian rhythms:
occur less than once a day: e.g. menstruation
(monthly) or hibernation (yearly)
occur less than once a day: e.g. menstruation
(monthly) or hibernation (yearly)
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What are endogenous pacemakers and
exogenous zeitgeibers?
exogenous zeitgeibers?
Endogenous pacemakers:
Internal biological structures that control and regulate the rhythm. The SCN, Pineal gland and release of melatonin
Exogenous zeitgebers:
External environmental factors that influence the rhythm. Light, clocks and routines.
Internal biological structures that control and regulate the rhythm. The SCN, Pineal gland and release of melatonin
Exogenous zeitgebers:
External environmental factors that influence the rhythm. Light, clocks and routines.
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Outline Sifre’s cave study into circadian
rhythms
rhythms
- Sifre spent 6 months underground in an environment completely cut off from all Exogenous zeitgebers
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What was Sifre's cave study findings?
- Sifre settled into a 25 hour sleep wake cycle.
-> This implies that our circadian rhythm is ’free running’ and approximately a 24 hour cycle.
-> This provides crucial evidence for the existence of endogenous pacemakers.
-> This implies that our circadian rhythm is ’free running’ and approximately a 24 hour cycle.
-> This provides crucial evidence for the existence of endogenous pacemakers.
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Give two practical applications for an
understanding of circadian rhythms?
(1)
understanding of circadian rhythms?
(1)
(1) Shift work – we now understand that shift work can cause a large disruption of the circadian rhythm that can have negative impacts
of a persons health and well-being. Shift work should be reduced where possible.
of a persons health and well-being. Shift work should be reduced where possible.
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Give two practical applications for an
understanding of circadian rhythms?
(2)
understanding of circadian rhythms?
(2)
(2) Medical applications – research has shown that our organs and body systems also have circadian rhythms. This has helped to target medication to times to increase effectiveness – eg blood pressure medication early in the morning.
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What are two Ultradian rhythms?
- Sleep cycle
- BRAC cycle
- BRAC cycle
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What is studies into the sleep cycle?
Sleep cycle – Dement and Kleitman demonstrate that the sleep cycle occurs around 4 times a night and that REM sleep where we dream happens 4 times a night
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What are studies into the BRAC cycle?
BRAC cycle – evidence suggests that we have a 90 minute concentration cycle so that activity and rest should be alternated across 90 minute cycles.
- Ericsson (2006): In their study on elite violinists they found that practice sessions were often in 90
- Ericsson (2006): In their study on elite violinists they found that practice sessions were often in 90
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What are two Infradian rhythms?
- Menstrual cycle
- SAD
- SAD
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What are studies into the menstrual cycle?
Menstrual cycle:
–> endogenous infradian rhythm
McKlintock and Stern found that if women spent a large amount of time together then their menstrual cycles synchronised – this is believed
to be due to the release of pheromones.
–> endogenous infradian rhythm
McKlintock and Stern found that if women spent a large amount of time together then their menstrual cycles synchronised – this is believed
to be due to the release of pheromones.
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What are the studies into SAD?
SAD:
–> seasonal affectedness disorder
- A form of depression linked
to a lack of light due to the changes of the seasons.
–> seasonal affectedness disorder
- A form of depression linked
to a lack of light due to the changes of the seasons.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What are the divisions of the peripheral nervous system ?
Back
Somatic
Autonomic- Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Autonomic- Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Card 3
Front
What is the function of the somatic nervous system
Back
Card 4
Front
What is the function of the sympathetic
nervous system ?
nervous system ?
Back
Card 5
Front
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system ?
Back
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