1. Chapter 2
Biopsychology

2. How Does the Brain Produce Behavior and Mental Processes?
The brain is composed of many specialized modules that work together to create mind and behavior

3. Windows on the Brain
EEG (electroencephalograph) – Device for recording brain waves, typically by electrodes placed on the scalp
Brain waves – Patterns of electrical activity generated by the brain

4. Windows on the Brain
Epilepsy – Brain disorder that is often marked by seizures and loss of consciousness; caused by out-of-control electrical activity in the brain

5. Windows on the Brain
Lesions – Tissue damage that results from disease or injury

6. Windows on the Brain
Brain scans – Recordings of the brain’s electrical or biochemical activity at specific sites
CT scanning (computerized tomography)
PET scanning (positron emission tomography)
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

7. Three Layers of the Brain
Brain stem and cerebellum
Drive vital functions, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion
Limbic system
Adds emotions, complex motives, increased memory abilities
Cerebrum
Enables reasoning, planning, creating, problem solving

8. The Brain Stem and Cerebellum
Thalamus
Pons
Cerebellum
Medulla
Brain stem

9. The Limbic System
Hypothalamus – Serves as the brain’s blood-testing laboratory, constantly monitors blood to determine the condition of the body

10. The Limbic System
Amygdala – Involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression

11. The Limbic System
Hippocampus – Involved in establishing long-term memories

12. The Cerebrum
Cerebrum – Topmost layer of the brain; the bulbous cap over the limbic system
Cerebral cortex – Thin gray-matter covering of the cerebrum; carries on thinking and perceiving
Cerebral hemispheres – The two walnut shaped halves of the cerebrum, connected by the corpus callosum

13. The Four Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
Frontal lobes (movement and thinking)
Parietal lobes (touch sensation and spatial relationships)
Occipital lobes (contain visual cortex)
Temporal lobes (process sounds, including speech)

14. The Cooperative Brain
Association cortex – Cortical regions that combine information from various other parts of the brain

15. Cerebral Dominance
Cerebral dominance – Tendency of each brain hemisphere to exert control over different functions
Aphasia – The loss of speech caused be brain damage
Spatial orientation – Process of locating one’s body or other objects in space

16. Specialization of the Cerebral Hemispheres
Left Hemisphere
Right Hemisphere
Spontaneous speaking and writing
Repetitive but not spontaneous speaking
Responses to complex commands
Responses to simple commands
Word recognition
Facial recognition
Memory for words and numbers
Memory for shapes and music
Sequences of movements
Spatial interpretation
Emotional responsiveness
Feelings of anxiety
Positive emotion
Negative emotion

17. The Split Brain
Split-brain patients – Individuals who have had the corpus callosum surgically severed
Duality of consciousness – Condition in which a split-brain patient has a separate consciousness in each hemisphere

18. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2006
End of Chapter 2
Section 2.3
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2006