Introduction to Brain and Behavior Dr. Hakan Psychology 256 Introduction to Brain and Behavior Dr. Hakan
What is the Brain? Billions of nerve cells
What is the Brain? Thousands of connections where one neuron may interact (communicate) with other neurons. As many as 10,000 connections 40+ neurochemicals ( neurotransmitters)
Why Study the Brain? Sensation Motion Internal Regulation Reproduction Adaptation EVERYTHING WE DO!
Overarching Principles of Brain function Hierarchically organized Redundant control Inhibition Automaticity Conscious vs Unconscious processes
The Scientific Method Empiricism Objectivity Measurement and testing replication
Basic Organization of the Nervous System Central Nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) CNS- brain and spinal cord
PNS -peripheral nerves and the ANS
The autonomic division of the PNS
And somatosenses
The Organization of the Brain: An Overview The Forebrain ( Telencephalon and Diencephalon) The Midbrain (Mesencephalon) The Hindbrain ( Metencephalon and Meyelencephalon)
The Forebrain Cerebral Cortex Cortical lobes Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal Basal Ganglia and Limbic system The diencephalon Thalamus and Hypothalamus
Cortical lobes Thin Wrinkled Sulci and Gyri
Cortical lobes Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal
Cortical Lobes Occipital- Vision Temporal- hearing/ speech Parietal- somatosensory Frontal- speech, motor responses and executive functions
The Telencephalon- Basal Ganglia and Limbic system Basal Ganglia- includes the “neostriatum” and substantia nigra Highly ingrained behaviors
Limbic System Amygdala, hippocampus and other structures Emotional impulses
The diencephalon Thalamus and Hypothalamus Thalamus- sensory relay
Diencephalon Hypothalamus The 4 F’s
The Midbrain (mesencephalon) Superior and inferior colliculi Substantia Nigra
Midbrain Superior colliculi- visual orienting reflex Inferior colliculi- auditory orienting reflex Substantia Nigra- initiation and switching of behaviors
The Hindbrain Cerebellum Medulla (metencephalon) Oblongata (myelencephalon)
Hindbrain Cerebellum- Motor coordination Medulla oblongata- regulation of vital functions Incoming ( afferent) and outgoing (efferent) fibers