Brain Parts and Functions

Brain Parts and Functions

• Cerebrum: Largest brain part, divided into two hemispheres. Handles higher functions like thinking, memory, and voluntary movement. Located above the brainstem and cerebellum. Keywords: hemispheres, cortex, lobes, cognition, voluntary. Dysfunction symptoms: reasoning difficulties, memory loss, movement problems, confusion.

• Cerebellum: Smaller structure at the back of the brain. Controls voluntary movements, balance, posture, and motor learning. Located below the cerebrum. Keywords: balance, coordination, posture, fine motor skills. Dysfunction symptoms: poor balance, uncoordinated movements, tremors, fine motor difficulties.

• Brainstem: Connects the brain to the spinal cord, controlling basic life functions: breathing, heart rate, sleep, and relaying information. Located below cerebrum and in front of cerebellum. Keywords: survival, autonomic, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata. Dysfunction symptoms: breathing issues, irregular heartbeat, sleep problems, motor/sensory loss.

• Limbic System: Group of structures handling emotions, behavior, and memory. Located beneath the cerebrum. Keywords: emotions, memory, amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus. Dysfunction symptoms: emotional instability, memory issues, motivation problems.

• Frontal Lobe: Largest brain lobe, located at the front. Involved in decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and voluntary movement, including speech. Located in the front part of the cerebrum. Keywords: executive functions, planning, motor cortex, Broca's area. Dysfunction symptoms: poor decision-making, speech difficulties (e.g., Broca's aphasia), and lack of motor control.

• Parietal Lobe: Processes sensory information from the body (touch, pressure, temperature, pain). Also involved in spatial orientation. Located above and behind the frontal lobe. Keywords: sensory, somatosensory cortex, spatial awareness. Dysfunction symptoms: sensory interpretation issues, spatial disorientation, neglect of one body side.

• Occipital Lobe: Primarily responsible for visual processing (color, shape, motion). Located at the back of the cerebrum. Keywords: vision, visual cortex, processing. Dysfunction symptoms: visual disorders, object recognition issues, blindness.

• Temporal Lobe: Processes auditory information, language comprehension, and memory storage. Located on the side of the cerebrum, near the ears. Keywords: hearing, language, Wernicke's area, memory. Dysfunction symptoms: hearing loss, trouble understanding language (e.g., Wernicke's aphasia), memory impairments.

• Thalamus: Acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals, controlling consciousness, sleep, and alertness. Located deep within the brain, above the brainstem. Keywords: relay, sensory signals, consciousness. Dysfunction symptoms: sensory processing problems, sleep/wake issues, sensation loss.

• Hypothalamus: Located below the thalamus, controls autonomic functions, regulating temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and hormone secretion. Keywords: homeostasis, hormones, autonomic regulation, pituitary gland. Dysfunction symptoms: hormonal imbalances, disrupted sleep cycles, abnormal body temperature.

• Amygdala: Almond-shaped structure involved in emotional processing, particularly fear and pleasure, linking them to memories. Located deep within the temporal lobe. Keywords: emotions, fear, pleasure, memory. Dysfunction symptoms: emotional control difficulties, heightened anxiety, inability to recognize fear.

• Hippocampus: Seahorse-shaped structure essential for learning and forming new memories, including spatial navigation. Located deep within the temporal lobe. Keywords: memory, learning, spatial navigation. Dysfunction symptoms: memory loss, disorientation, inability to form new memories.

• Corpus Callosum: Thick band of nerve fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres, facilitating communication. Located deep beneath the cortex. Keywords: communication, hemispheres, connectivity. Dysfunction symptoms: coordination problems between hemispheres, difficulty integrating language and spatial tasks.

• Pituitary Gland: Pea-shaped gland regulating hormones, controlling growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Located below the hypothalamus. Keywords: hormones, endocrine system, growth, regulation. Dysfunction symptoms: growth disorders, metabolic issues, reproductive irregularities.

• Medulla Oblongata: The lowest part of the brainstem controlling autonomic functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion. Located at the base of the brainstem. Keywords: autonomic, breathing, heart rate, digestion. Dysfunction symptoms: breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeat, impaired swallowing/coughing.

Introduction to Psychology

• Psychology: The scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Covers various aspects from biological to social influences, understanding how humans think, feel, and behave.

Major Fields in Psychology

• Clinical Psychology: Diagnosing and treating mental/emotional disorders.
• Cognitive Psychology: Studies mental processes (perception, memory, problem-solving).
• Developmental Psychology: Examines growth and change throughout a lifespan.
• Social Psychology: Explores social influences on behavior and interactions.
• Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Applies psychological principles to work settings.
• Biopsychology: Investigates biological bases of behavior.

Psychological Perspectives

• Behavioral Perspective: Focuses on observable behavior and learning (reinforcement).
• Cognitive Perspective: Examines mental processes (thinking, memory).
• Biological Perspective: Emphasizes biological factors (physiology/genetics).
• Psychodynamic Perspective: Highlights unconscious processes and early experiences.
• Humanistic Perspective: Emphasizes personal growth and self-fulfillment.
• Sociocultural Perspective: Considers cultural and societal influences.

Neurons and Nervous System

• Neurons: Basic units of nervous system, transmitting information.
  • Types: Sensory, motor, interneurons.
  • Structure: Dendrites, cell body, axon, synapse.
• Nervous System:
  • Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord.
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Nerves outside the CNS.