Psychology Unit 2 The Brain Chapter 3 Nervous System The Brain Heredity

The Nervous System Nerve cells communicate and send messages throughout body 100 BILLION Neurotransmitters – chemicals Acetylcholine – Muscle contractions/control Endorphins – pain control and pleasure Dopamine – motor controls and reward pleasure

Central Nervous System Spinal cord and the brain Peripheral Nervous System transmits messages btwn CNS and body Sympathetic System prepares the body for action Flight or Fight response Parasympathetic System restores the body AFTER action Rest and Digest

The Brain Hind Brain – Heart Rate, Respiration and breathing Medulla Pons Cerebellum Mid Brain – Vision and hearing Reticular Activating System Fore Brain – Thought and emotion Thalamus Hypothalamus Lymbic System Cerebrum Phineas Gage

Language and the Brain MOST people have language function in the LEFT hemisphere Brocas Area – controls area of the face responsible for speech Wernicke’s Area – Understanding speech and forming speech Aphasia – damage to Broca’s or Wernicke’s; impairs language skills Genie? Others?

Left vs Right Brain DEBUNKED??? You decide… Left Brain/RIGHT HANDED?? Adept at tasks that involve logic, language and analytical thinking. The “left-brain” person is often described as being better at: Language Logic Critical thinking Numbers Reasoning Right Brain/LEFT HANDED?? Best at expressive and creative tasks. The “right-brain” person is often described as being better at: Recognizing faces Expressing emotions Music Reading emotions Color Images Intuition Creativity

Heredity - Nature vs Nurture Nature Biology determines a person’s development and personality Nurture Environment determines a person’s development and personality Heredity is the transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring. Kinship Studies: common way to study the debate Twin Studies Twins Reared Apart Adoptee Studies YOU and your family?! (shudder) Similarities and (hopefully) differences?

Nature vs Nurture Research Assignment Find at least TWO studies focused on the debate Twin Studies Twins Reared Apart Adoptee Studies Other study based on Nature vs Nurture FIVE PARAGRAPHS A written summary of each study’s findings, and a reflection of the NvN debate including your research findings and an introspective look at your own personality as it relates to NvN Use information presented in class during Unit 2 in addition to your research!!!