PSYC 110 Lecture 3: chapter 3
Brain Stem
● connects the cerebral cortex and spinal cord
● performs some basic bodily functions
● serves as a relay station between the cortex and the rest of the nervous system
Hindbrain
●cerebellum- plays a predominate role in our sense of balance and enables us to
coordinate movement and learn motor skills
●pons- connects cortex to the cerebellum and triggers dreams
●medulla- regulates breathing, heartbeat, and other vital functions
Brain Mapping Methods
● there have been many attempts to map the mind onto the brain
● phrenology was one of the earliest, but was falsified and discredited by the mid-1800s,
mainly for to examining persons with brain damage
●Electroencephalograph (EEG)
○ measures electrical activity generated by the brain via electrodes placed on the
skull
○ can tell which regions of the brain are activity during specific tasks
●Neuroimaging techniques allow us to see brain structure, function, or both
●computed tomography (CT) uses multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional
images MEASURES STRUCTURE
●magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain
structure
○ measure release of energy from water in biological tissues
●positron emission tomography (PET) measures consumption of glucose-like
molecules to give a picture of neural activity
●functional MRI (fMRI) uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity
○ measures blood-oxygen level
● these both measure structure and function
●transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) applies strong and quickly changing
magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain
function
○ allows causal determination of functioning
●magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures tiny magnetic fields generated by the
brain
Endocrine System
● consists of glands that release hormones, molecules that influence particular organs
● also helps regulate emotions
Pituitary Gland
● controls the other glands in the body
● releases hormones that influence growth, blood pressure, and other functions
● this includes oxytocin, responsible for number of reproductive functions and plays a role
in maternal and romantic love
Thyroid Gland
● releases hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite
Document Summary
Connects the cerebral cortex and spinal cord. Serves as a relay station between the cortex and the rest of the nervous system. Cerebellum- plays a predominate role in our sense of balance and enables us to coordinate movement and learn motor skills. Pons- connects cortex to the cerebellum and triggers dreams. Medulla- regulates breathing, heartbeat, and other vital functions. There have been many attempts to map the mind onto the brain. Phrenology was one of the earliest, but was falsified and discredited by the mid-1800s, mainly for to examining persons with brain damage. Measures electrical activity generated by the brain via electrodes placed on the. Can tell which regions of the brain are activity during specific tasks. Neuroimaging techniques allow us to see brain structure, function, or both. Computed tomography (ct) uses multiple x-rays to construct three-dimensional images measures structure. Magnetic resonance imaging (mri) uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain skull structure.
