CHAPTER 2 : Behavioral Neuroscience Essentials of Psychology, by Saul Kassin ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

Behavioral Neuroscience The Body’s Communication Networks The Neuron The Brain Prospects for the Future Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Body’s Communication Networks The Nervous System Central Nervous System(CNS) –The network of nerves contained within the brain and spinal cord Peripheral Nervous System(PNS) –The PNS comprises the somatic and autonomic nervous systems Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Body’s Communication Networks Divisions of the Nervous System Divisions of the Nervous System Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Body’s Communication Networks Endocrine system: Ductless glands that regulate growth, reproduction, metabolism, mood, and some behavior. Hormones: Chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream. Major Endocrine Glands Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Neuron Neurons –Nerve cells that serve as the building blocks of the nervous system Sensory Neurons –Neurons that send signals from the senses, skin, muscles, and internal organs to the CNS Motor Neurons –Neurons that transmit commands from the CNS to the muscles, glands, and organs Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Neuron The Neuron The Withdrawal Reflex Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Neuron The Structure of a Neuron Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Neuron The Neuron in Action Action Potential –An electrical impulse that surges along an axon, caused by an influx of positive ions in the neuron Threshold –The level of stimulation needed to trigger an action potential Neurotransmitters –Chemical messengers that transmit information by crossing the synapse from one neuron to another Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Neuron How Neurons Communicate Impulse releases neurotransmitter from axon terminals. Neurotransmitter enters synaptic gap. Neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the receiving neuron. Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Neuron Neurotransmitters Major Neurotransmitters Acetylcholine (ACh) Dopamine Endorphins Norepinephrine Serotonin Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA ) Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Tools of Behavioral Neuroscience Clinical Case Studies Experimental Interventions Electrical Recordings Brain-Imaging Techniques Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Tools of Behavioral Neuroscience Electroencephalogram (EEG) An instrument used to measure electrical activity in the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Tools of Behavioral Neuroscience Positron Emission Tomography –A visual display of brain activity, as measured by the amount of glucose being used Radioactive isotopes (small amounts) are placed in the blood. Sensors detect radioactivity. Different tasks show distinct activity patterns. Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Tools of Behavioral Neuroscience Magnetic Resonance Imaging –A brain-imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce, clear three-dimensional images Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

Regions of the Brain The Brain Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Regions of the Brain The Brainstem Medulla –Vital involuntary functions Pons –Sleep and arousal Reticular formation –Sleep, arousal, attention Cerebellum –Motor coordination Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Regions of the Brain The Limbic System Thalamus –Sensory relay station Amygdala –Fear, anger, and aggression Hippocampus –Memory formation Hypothalamus –Regulates glands, autonomic NS Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Regions of the Brain The Cerebral Cortex in Animals The outermost covering of the brain, largely responsible for higher-order mental processes Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Regions of the Brain The Four Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Regions of the Brain Within the Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex Are: The Somatosensory Cortex –Receives sensory information The Motor Cortex –Sends impulses to voluntary muscles The Association Cortex –Houses the brain’s higher mental processes Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Somatosensory and Motor Areas Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain Regions of the Brain Language Processing Broca’s Area –Located in the left hemisphere, directs the muscle movements in speech production Wernicke’s Area –Located in the left hemisphere, involved in the comprehension of language The brain operates as an integrated system. Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain The Split Brain The Corpus Callosum –A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres If surgically severed for treatment of epilepsy, hemispheres cannot communicate directly. Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain The Split Brain Visual Processing Both eyes send information to both hemispheres. Images in the right half of the visual field go to the left hemisphere. Images in the left half of the visual field go to the right hemisphere. Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain The Split Brain Sperry’s Split-Brain Experiment Split-brain subjects could not name objects shown only to the right hemisphere. If asked to select these objects with their left hand, they succeeded. The left hemisphere controls speech, the right does not. Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain The Split Brain The Talking Left Hemisphere Brighter areas indicate higher activity levels. When hearing words, for example, auditory cortex and Wernicke’s area are the most active. Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

The Brain The Split Brain Neglect Syndrome A patient with a stroke in the right hemisphere was asked to copy the drawings. Typical of neglect syndromes, the left side of the model is almost completely ignored. Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

Prospects for the Future Plasticity –A capacity to change as a result of experience Richer environments lead to heavier, thicker brains, more synapses, and better learning. The cost of plasticity is the case of the phantom limb. The Brain’s Capacity for Growth & Reorganization Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing

Prospects for the Future Neurogenesis –The production of new brain cells Neural Graft –Technique of transplanting healthy tissue from the nervous system of one animal into that of another The Brain’s Capacity for Growth & Reorganization Kassin, Essentials of Psychology - ©2004 Prentice Hall Publishing