Biopsychology Overview

Biopsychology Overview

• Studies the interplay of biology, behavior, and mental processes.
• Focuses on the nervous system's structure and activity (brain) in relation to behavior and mental functions.
• Research methods include clinical observations and post-mortem examinations.

Phrenology

• Hypothesized that skull bumps were linked to personality traits and abilities.
• Suggested functional localization in the brain for behaviors.
• Considered pseudoscientific without empirical support.

The Brainstem

• Vital for automatic survival functions including heart rate and respiration.
• Composed of midbrain, pons, medulla, and thalamus.

Cerebellum

• Coordinates voluntary movements and balances body posture.
• Connects to the brainstem, aiding skilled movements and higher cognitive processing.

The Limbic System

• Regulates basic drives, emotions, and memory functions.
• Hippocampus is crucial for memory processing.
• Amygdala, located in the temporal lobe, is essential for emotion regulation.

Thalamus

• Acts as a sensory switchboard atop the brainstem.
• Directs sensory messages to the cortex and influences arousal, learning, and memory.

Cerebral Cortex

• Serves as the brain's control center and information processing hub.
• Thin layer of neurons on the outer cerebral hemispheres.
• Divided into lobes with distinct functions:
  • Frontal lobe: motor control, cognitive processes, executive functions, language.
  • Prefrontal cortex: behavior planning, attention, judgment.
  • Parietal lobe: processes touch, pain, temperature, and body position.
  • Occipital lobe: handles visual information.
  • Temporal lobe: processes auditory information.

Corpus Callosum

• Connects the brain's left and right hemispheres.
• Transfers information between different brain lobes and from the body via the spinal cord.

Split Brain

• Refers to patients with a surgically severed corpus callosum.
• Results in duality of consciousness, with separate awareness in each hemisphere.

Right and Left Brain Lateralization

• Certain functions are localized to either the right or left hemisphere.
• Language is predominantly managed by the left hemisphere, associated with handedness.
• Left hemisphere is linked to mathematical and logical reasoning, while emotional behavior relates more to the right hemisphere.

Neurons and Glia

• Neurons transmit and receive information; bundles of neurons form nerves.
• Cell body contains the nucleus, while axons relay information, comprising white and gray matter.
• Dendrites receive signals from other neurons.

Myelin and the Blood-Brain Barrier

• Myelin sheath insulates some axons, enhancing signal speed.
• Blood-brain barrier protects the brain but may be excessively restrictive at times.

Neurotransmitters

• Chemical messengers facilitating communication across synapses.
• Types include:
  • Excitatory neurotransmitters: Increase the likelihood of neuron firing.
  • Inhibitory neurotransmitters: Decrease firing likelihood.

Functions of Neurotransmitters

• Influence neuronal firing patterns and connect brain networks.
• Affect reactions to stimuli, memory formation, and information processing.

Types of Neurotransmitters

• Acetylcholine (Ach): Affects movement, memory, and autonomic functions.
• Epinephrine: Boosts arousal.
• Norepinephrine: Impacts arousal and vigilance.
• Dopamine: Involves movement, planning, and reward-seeking behavior.
• Serotonin: Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.
• Glutamate: Enhances brain activity excitation.

Brain Activity Observation Techniques

• Intracranial electrodes: Monitor electrical activity in the brain.
• PET scans: Visualize brain metabolism.
• fMRI: Measures brain activity through blood flow.
• DTI: Maps white matter connections.
• EEG: Records electrical activity via electrodes placed on the scalp.
• Lesion studies: Analyze effects of brain damage on functions.