PSYC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Amygdala, Thalamus, Neurogenesis
Document Summary
Prep guide 4 (myers 37-47; lilienfield myth #4: briefly describe the functions of the brainstem and its related structures. The brainstem is responsible for automatic functions: the thalamus acts like a sensory relay station by filtering out some sensory information and sending other information onto higher areas that process sensory information. How does this phrase apply to how the human brain is organized? (the older brain structures section can give you a hint). The older brain is on the inside and controls basic survival functions. They perform the same functions as our ancestors: after drinking alcohol, an individual may begin stumbling around and have difficulty balancing. Human brains control how much of these neurotransmitters are released. A young man sustained a severe traumatic brain injury from a car accident. He became impulsive, started making inappropriate comments in social situations, and seemed to be unable to plan or organize his behavior.
