Thinking About Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behavior Charles T. Blair-Broeker Randal M. Ernst

The Brain Module 08

Phineas Gage Play “The Frontal Lobes and Behavior: The Story of Phineas Gage” (12:03) Module #25 from The Brain: Teaching Modules (2 nd edition).

Lower-Level Brain Structures: The Brainstem Module 8: The Brain

Brainstem The oldest part of the brain Is responsible for automatic survival functions Located where the spinal cord swells and the brain just begins

Medulla The base of the brainstem Controls life-supporting functions like heartbeat and breathing Damage to this area can lead to death.

Brain Structures - Brainstem/Medulla Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2h from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Brain Structures - Brainstem/Medulla Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2i from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Reticular Formation A nerve network extending up and down the spinal cord into the brain Controls an organism’s level of alertness Damage to this area can cause a coma.

Lower-Level Brain Structures: The Thalamus Module 8: The Brain

Thalamus Sits atop the brainstem The brain’s sensory switchboard -- directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex Thalamus is Greek for “inner chamber.”

Brain Structures - Thalamus Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2a from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Brain Structures - Thalamus Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2b from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Lower-Level Brain Structures: The Cerebellum Module 8: The Brain

Cerebellum Latin for the “little brain” Located in the rear of the brain Helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance If damaged, the person could perform basic movements but would lose fine coordination skills.

Brain Structures - Cerebellum Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2j from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Brain Structures - Cerebellum Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2k from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Lower-Level Brain Structures: The Limbic System Module 8: The Brain

Limbic System A ring of structures around the thalamus; at the border of the brainstem and cerebral cortex Helps regulate memory, aggression, fear, hunger, and thirst Includes the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala

Brain Structures – Limbic System Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2g from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Hypothalamus Located directly under the front of the thalamus Regulates eating, drinking, body temperature, and the fight or flight reactions to stress Plays a role in emotions, pleasure, and sexual function

Hypothalamus and Aggression Play “Aggression, Violence, and the Brain” (7:17) Module #24 from The Brain: Teaching Modules (2 nd edition).

Hippocampus Wraps around the back of the thalamus Plays a role in processing new memories for permanent storage Looks something like a seahorse –Hippo is Greek for “horse.”

Amygdala Two almond shaped structures Controls emotional responses such as fear and anger

Brain Structures – Lower Brain Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2l from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Brain Structures – Lower Brain Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2m from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

The Cerebral Cortex Module 8: The Brain

Cerebral Cortex The body’s ultimate control and information processing center Covers the brain’s lower level structures Contains an estimated 30 billion nerve cells Divided into four lobes

Corpus Callosum The large band of neural fibers that connects the two brain hemispheres and carries messages between them Is sometimes cut to prevent seizures

Corpus Callosum Play “Severed Corpus Callosum” (10:00) Segment #7 from Scientific American Frontiers: Video Collection for Introductory Psychology (2 nd edition).

Longitudinal Fissure The crevice that divides the brain into two halves or hemispheres This and other fissures in the brain create major divisions in the brain called lobes

Frontal Lobes The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead Is involved in making plans and judgments

The Frontal Lobe Play “The Frontal Lobes: Cognition and Awareness” (9:05) Segment #7 from The Mind: Psychology Teaching Modules (2 nd edition).

Parietal Lobes Regions available for general processing, including mathematical reasoning Designated as the association lobes Behind the frontal lobes

Occipital Lobe The primary visual processing area Located in the back of the head

Temporal Lobes Includes the auditory cortex where sound information is processed Located roughly above the ears

Brain Structures – Cerebral Cortex Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2c from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Brain Structures – Cerebral Cortex Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2d from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the “Readme” file on the CD-ROM.

Brain Structures – Cerebral Cortex Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2e from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Brain Structures – Cerebral Cortex Insert “Brain Structures” Video #2f from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Motor Cortex Area at the rear of the frontal lobes Controls voluntary movement Different parts of the cortex control different parts of the body. The motor cortex in the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and visa versa.

Somatosensory Cortex Located in the front of the parietal lobes Registers and processes body senses Soma is Greek for “body.”

Motor and Sensory Cortex Play “Image-Guided Surgery” (13:07) Segment #6 from Scientific American Frontiers: Video Collection for Introductory Psychology (2 nd edition).

Hemispheric Differences Module 8: The Brain

Hemispheric Differences “Left-brained” and “right-brained” debunked Brain is divided into two hemispheres but works as a single entity. Both sides continually communicate via the corpus callosum, except in those with split brains.

Split Brain Patient Play “The Divided Brain” (6:46) Module #5 from The Brain: Teaching Modules (2 nd edition).

Hemispheric Differences: Language and Spatial Abilities Module 8: The Brain

The Brain’s Left Hemisphere For most people, language functions are in the left hemisphere. For a small percentage of people, language functions are in the right hemisphere.

Broca’s Area Located in the frontal lobe and usually in the left hemisphere Responsible for the muscle movements of speech If damaged the person can form the ideas but cannot express them as speech

PET Scan of Broca’s Area

Language and the Brain Play “Language Centers in the Brain” (3:39) Segment #16 from Psychology: The Human Experience.

Wernicke’s Area Located in the temporal lobe Involved in language comprehension and expression; our ability to understand what is said to us Usually in the left temporal lobe

PET Scan of Wernicke’s Area

The Brain’s Right Hemisphere Houses the brain’s spatial abilities Our spatial ability allows us to perceive or organize things in a given space, judge distance, etc. Helps in making connections between words

Broca’s and Wernicke’s Areas Play “Language and Speech: Broca’s and Wernicke’s Areas” (7:44) Module #6 from The Brain: Teaching Modules (2 nd edition).

Brain Specialization Insert “Brain Imaging” Video #2b from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for Psychology. Instructions for importing the video file can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the CD-ROM.

Brain Plasticity Module 8: The Brain

Plasticity The ability of the brain tissue to take on new functions Greatest in childhood Important if parts of the brain are damaged or destroyed

Brain Plasticity If desired, play “A Case Study of Brain Damage” (5:18) Segment #4 from Psychology: The Human Experience. This clip provides an introduction for segment #5 on Brain Plasticity. Play “Brain Plasticity” (6:21) Segment #5 from Psychology: The Human Experience.

Brain Plasticity Play “Brain Anomaly and Plasticity: Hydrocephalus” (7:02) Module #7 from The Brain: Teaching Modules (2 nd edition).

The End

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