Higher Functional Systems Psychology 2617

Introduction We will talk about systems that rely on the lower lever sensory systems for their input We will talk about systems that rely on the lower lever sensory systems for their input So things like: So things like: Memory Memory Attention Attention Executive functioning Executive functioning

Memory When it works, we sort of don’t even realize it is there When it works, we sort of don’t even realize it is there it MUST be based in the brain somewhere…. it MUST be based in the brain somewhere…. But, where But, where How How etc etc

Memory problems Usually some sort of insult Usually some sort of insult Anterograde amnesia is the inability to get new stuff in the system Anterograde amnesia is the inability to get new stuff in the system Retrograde amnesia is the inability to get old info out Retrograde amnesia is the inability to get old info out Former is way more common, despite what the soap operas tell you… Former is way more common, despite what the soap operas tell you…

The Atkinson-Shiffrin model Sensory Register Short Term Memory Long Term Memory

LTM Implicit and explicit Implicit and explicit Episodic and semantic Episodic and semantic There is not a memory centre There is not a memory centre Memories are stored where they were formed according to Larry Squire Memories are stored where they were formed according to Larry Squire So stuff is stored there but it may be mediated by certain areas So stuff is stored there but it may be mediated by certain areas

Medial temporal lobes Medial temporal lobes Diencephalon Diencephalon Basal forebrain Basal forebrain All sorta structured around Hp All sorta structured around Hp HM and Hp HM and Hp Papez circuit in Hp Papez circuit in Hp Important in episodic memories Important in episodic memories

Semantic and Procedural memory Hard to get rid of this Hard to get rid of this You can get rid of the awareness of learning You can get rid of the awareness of learning But not the learning itself But not the learning itself Priming Priming Perceptual and motor tasks Perceptual and motor tasks Sure specific lesions can do damage though Sure specific lesions can do damage though

STM or Working Memory Deficits here are rare Deficits here are rare Workarounds can be used though, pad and paper, PDA or whatever Workarounds can be used though, pad and paper, PDA or whatever HM for example, had totally normal STM HM for example, had totally normal STM Baddeley’s notion Baddeley’s notion Central executive Central executive Visuo spatial sketchpad Visuo spatial sketchpad Phonological loop Phonological loop

STM Link to frontal areas Link to frontal areas Link to areas you would expect Link to areas you would expect Can be dissociated! Can be dissociated! Basically the prefrontal cortex is active during working memory tasks Basically the prefrontal cortex is active during working memory tasks

Attention Focusing processing power on some given task Focusing processing power on some given task RAS to cortex connections which makes some sense RAS to cortex connections which makes some sense Posterior parietal areas focus on ‘conscious’ attention (paying attention if you will) Posterior parietal areas focus on ‘conscious’ attention (paying attention if you will)

RAS Sleep and wakefullness Sleep and wakefullness But projects to whole cortex But projects to whole cortex Sensory input kinda energizes the RAS Sensory input kinda energizes the RAS So you get more arousal So you get more arousal Sort of preperatory (get ready, here comes stuff to pay attention to) Sort of preperatory (get ready, here comes stuff to pay attention to)

Different kinds of attention Focused Focused Alternating Alternating Divided Divided sustained sustained

Visual attention Parietal lesions and neglect Parietal lesions and neglect They can notice the input They can notice the input But they ignore it But they ignore it Lots of connections here to frontal areas Lots of connections here to frontal areas Frontal lobe lesion patients are easily distracted Frontal lobe lesion patients are easily distracted This meshes nicely with ideas about…. This meshes nicely with ideas about….

Executive functioning Probably in prefrontal areas Probably in prefrontal areas Lesions here don’t cause sort of oh, direct problems Lesions here don’t cause sort of oh, direct problems These do planning, ordering etc These do planning, ordering etc So basically, executive functioning puts stuff in the right order So basically, executive functioning puts stuff in the right order Highest level of executive functioning is sort of self monitoring or regulation Highest level of executive functioning is sort of self monitoring or regulation

consciousness Ok I have a bit of a bias here…. Ok I have a bit of a bias here…. Knowing Knowing Knowing you know Knowing you know Where in the brain? Where in the brain? Is it perhaps and emergent property? Is it perhaps and emergent property? Is it necessary for being human? Is it necessary for being human?

emotion James-Lange theory James-Lange theory Cannon-Bard Cannon-Bard Basic emotions seem to be regulated by the amygdila – thalamic pathways Basic emotions seem to be regulated by the amygdila – thalamic pathways Other emotions are way more complicated…. Other emotions are way more complicated….

In conclusion These systems are really what makes us human These systems are really what makes us human Or do they…. Or do they…. The ability to deal with linguistic info and other info and store it for long term is VERY important The ability to deal with linguistic info and other info and store it for long term is VERY important Consciousness, still needs some work Consciousness, still needs some work