PSYC 1100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Australopithecus, Psych, Basal Ganglia
Document Summary
Development phylogeny: reptiles 250000000-300000000 + years ago, mammals 200000000-250000000 years ago, early bipeds 3500000-4000000 years ago, australopithecus 450-750cc brain volume, homoerectus 850-1100cc brain volume, neanderthal 230000-28000 years ago 1400cc brain. Fully modern human: 1400 or a bit smaller, homosapien sapien, skull less robust, body less robust, greater capacity for forethought. Developmental heritage: single cell 3. 5 billion years ago, multicellular 0. 5 billion+ years ago, reptilian around 300 million years ago, mammalian around 250 million years ago, neo cortical 200 thousand years ago. Panksepp: neuroscientist supports concept of three part brain, some said it is too simplistic, some pointed out that many of the brain systems go back in evolutionary terms to pre-reptilian and mammalian times. Development from evolutionary perspective: stereotypical behavioral patterns to complex thinking (cognitive development, oldest systems-reptilian core, basal ganglia, basic plots and actions, behavioral predispositions. Cognitive level (neo-cortical): expansion on basic plots and actions, capacity for high level thinking activity, all levels devoted to self and species preservation.
