1. The Nervous System and the Brain

2. The Nervous System
The human nervous system is involved in thinking, dreaming, feeling, moving, and much more. It is working when we are active or still, awake or asleep. The nervous system regulates our internal functions. It is also involved in how we react to the external world. Even learning and memory are made possible by the nervous system. When we learn a new behavior or acquire new information, the nervous system registers that experience and changes to accommodate its storage.

3. Central Nervous System
Brain and spinal cord
Spinal reflexes
Peripheral Nervous System
Responsible for transmitting messages between the CNS and all other parts of the body
Somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic

5. Neurons Components The Communication Process Cell body Dendrites Axon
Messages are sent from one neuron to another across the synapse (gap between axon terminals of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron)
Messages are sent via neurotransmitters

8. Quick Quiz 1 How do messges travel from one neuron to another?
Identify the systems that make up the peripheral nervous system.
CRITICAL THINKING: In what way do the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems work together?

9. The Brain: Our Control Center
Every person is unique in part because of the capacities of learning and thought made possible by the human brain. In ancient times they did not believe that brain was as complex as we now know it is. Today, however, we recognize that the mind, or consciousness, dwells within the brain. We now have greater understanding of the brain and the links between biological processes and psychological phenomena.

10. Parts of the Brain Hindbrain Midbrain Forebrain Medulla Pons
Cerebellum
Midbrain
Vision and hearing
Reticular activating system
Forebrain
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Limbic system
Cerebrum
Cerebral cortex

13. The Cerebral Cortex: What Makes Us Unique
Senses and Motor Behavior
Association Areas
Language Abilities

14. Left Brain versus Right Brain
Hemispheres do not act entirely independent although they are capable of working alone
Left Brain
Logical
Controls the right side of the body
Right Brain
Creative
Controls the left side of the body

15. Methods of Studying the Brain
Accidents
Electrical Stimulation of the Brain
The Electroencephalogram
Scans

16. Quick Quiz 2 Why is the Cerebral cortex important
Describe two differences between the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere of the cerebral cortex
List three different imaging techniques used to study the brain.
CRITICAL THINKING: Why do you think it benefits people to have brains that are flexible? What would happen if brains were not flexible?

17. The Endocrine System The Pituitary Gland The Thyroid Gland
The Adrenal Glands
The Testes and the ovaries
Testosterone
Estrogen and Progesterone

18. Quick Quiz 3
List and describe the role of the hormones produced by the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, and the testes and the ovaries.
CRITICAL THINKING: What might psychologists learn about behavior by studying the sex hormones?

19. Heredity: Our Genetic Background
Genes and Chromosomes
Shape everything from physical characteristics to behavior
46 chromosomes organized into 23 pairs
The Nature Nurture Debate
Genes or environment

20. Kinship Studies Twin studies Adoptee studies
Twins reared apart studies

21. Quick Quiz 4 Define gene and chromosome.
Describe two methods used to study the role of heredity in determining traits.
CRITICAL THINKING: Some traits such as extreme shyness have been shown to be partially determined by heredity. What aspects of the environment might also affect whether a person is shy?