Back to AI Flashcard MakerPsychology /AP® Psychology Biological Bases of Behavior Part 3
AP® Psychology Biological Bases of Behavior Part 3
This deck covers key concepts related to the biological bases of behavior, focusing on brain structures, their functions, and the role of the endocrine system in psychology.
Describe the part of the brain: cerebellum
Meaning 'little brain,' the cerebellum looks like a second, smaller brain on the underside of our brain. It is partially responsible for our mind-body connection, particularly in habitual muscle movements.
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Describe the part of the brain: cerebellum
Meaning 'little brain,' the cerebellum looks like a second, smaller brain on the underside of our brain. It is partially responsible for our mind-body...
Describe the part of the brain: reticular formation
Located in the midbrain, the reticular formation controls bodily arousal and our ability to focus.
Where are the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus located in the brain?
the forebrain
What are the four parts of the brain known as the limbic system, and what function does the limbic system serve?
1. thalamus 2. hypothalamus 3. hippocampus 4. amygdala The limbic system is involved in memory and emotion.
Describe the part of the brain: thalamus
Known as the 'sensory weigh station' of the brain, the thalamus receives information from the spinal cord and routes it to the appropriate part of the...
Describe the part of the brain: hypothalamus
The hypothalamus controls the endocrine system, as well as metabolic functions like libido, body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Describe the part of the brain: cerebellum | Meaning 'little brain,' the cerebellum looks like a second, smaller brain on the underside of our brain. It is partially responsible for our mind-body connection, particularly in habitual muscle movements. |
Describe the part of the brain: reticular formation | Located in the midbrain, the reticular formation controls bodily arousal and our ability to focus. |
Where are the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus located in the brain? | the forebrain |
What are the four parts of the brain known as the limbic system, and what function does the limbic system serve? | 1. thalamus 2. hypothalamus 3. hippocampus 4. amygdala The limbic system is involved in memory and emotion. |
Describe the part of the brain: thalamus | Known as the 'sensory weigh station' of the brain, the thalamus receives information from the spinal cord and routes it to the appropriate part of the forebrain for further processing. |
Describe the part of the brain: hypothalamus | The hypothalamus controls the endocrine system, as well as metabolic functions like libido, body temperature, hunger, and thirst. |
Describe the part of the brain: hippocampus | The hippocampus is responsible for converting short-term memories to long-term memories. |
Describe the part of the brain: amygdala | The amygdala controls emotion and fear. |
Why are our brains wrinkled? | The surface of the brain is covered with neurons, and wrinkles (or fissures) to increase the surface area so more neurons can connect with one another to transmit more information. |
If you want to kick a soccer ball with your right foot, which hemisphere of the brain controls this, and what principle explains it? | The left hemisphere controls the motor function on the right half of the body and vice versa. This is called contralateral control. |
Split-brain patients have had their __________ severed, usually to treat epilepsy. What two doctors pioneered this surgical procedure? | corpus callosum; Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzinga pioneered this procedure. |
Describe the part of the brain: corpus callosum | The corpus callosum is the nerve bundle that runs through the middle of the brain, separating the hemispheres. |
It has been suggested that the right hemisphere of the brain is active during spatial and creative tasks, while the left is activated during logic, spoken language, and sequential tasks. What are the two terms used to describe the differences between the right and left hemispheres? | brain lateralization and hemispheric specialization |
There are four lobes in the brain. Name them. | 1. frontal 2. parietal 3. occipital 4. temporal |
What is the area in the anterior frontal lobe called, and what is it responsible for? | The prefrontal cortex, and it is the brain's executive functioning center. It is the part of the brain that is believed to be responsible for reasoning and emotional control. Without the prefrontal cortex (or PFC), we would not be able to make long term plans, regulate our emotions, or consider consequences. |
What area of the brain allows us to move our muscles to produce speech? | Broca's area, which is located in the left frontal lobe in most right-handers |
The top of the motor cortex controls voluntary muscle movements in what area of the body? | The feet and toes are controlled by the top of the motor cortex, located at the back of the frontal lobe. The top of the body is controlled by the bottom of the motor cortex. |
Located in the parietal lobe behind the motor cortex, the __________ receives touch sensations from the body. | sensory cortex, or somato-sensory cortex |
Why is the area where vision is processed counterintuitive? | The processing of vision is located in the occipital lobe, which is at the very back of the brain, as far as possible from the eyes themselves. The left and right halves of the visual cortex process information from the same halves of the retinas (meaning processing is lateralized). |
Damage to what area of the temporal lobe would result in an inability to understand written or spoken language? | Wernicke's area |
What sensory modality is the temporal lobe responsible for processing? | hearing/audition; Unlike vision, hearing is not lateralized. Sound coming in one ear is processed by both hemispheres of the brain. |
Explain brain plasticity. | As our brains develop, there are skills or functions that are more or less important to perform to each individual. Because of this, the neuronal connections in our brains strengthen or weaken to adapt to those needed functions, especially if there is damage to other areas of the brain. |
Why is the endocrine system important to the field of psychology? | The endocrine system secretes hormones that are part of our psychological processes. The adrenal glands secrete adrenaline, which is necessary for the fight-or-flight response of the autonomic nervous system Ovaries and testes produce testosterone and estrogen, hormones that can help explain gender differences, which are an important part of developmental psychology |
Who was Thomas Bouchard and why was his research important? | Thomas Bouchard was a psychologist who studied identical twins raised in different families versus twins raised in the same home. His research was important when considering the nature/nurture argument. Twins had enough similarities in personality and IQ to suggest a nature component Twins raised in different homes also showed enough differences to suggest that nurture (or environment) was a factor in development of personality and intelligence |