Finkel’s Psych 110 Outline (April 6, 2017):
Neuroscience and Behavior
I. Why study the brain?
Is it necessary for pyschologists to understand the biology of the brain?
o Yes – the brain is the organic matter underlying the mind
The mind-body problem:
o Monism: Mind and the brain are the same thing
o Dualism: Mind and the brain are different entities
o Current research rejects dualism
II. Electrical currents in the brain
The brain communicates via electrical and chemical processes
o Penfield – sticks electrode in people’s open brain
III. Equipotentiality vs. functional localization
Major debate in the 1800s
Equipotentiality – all parts of the cortex contribute equally to all mental abilities
Functional Localization – different parts of the cortex underlie different mental processes
A. Phrenology: assessing personality and abilities by measuring bumps on
the skull
B. Broca’s area
Damage to this area causes impairments in generating speech
Can be studied with TMS
Excellent evidence for functional localization
IV. Brain structure and function
A. Brief overview of brain structure
Brainstem: basic survival programs like breathing, swallowing, & orgasm
Cerebellum: “little brain” – fine motor movement
Hypothalamus: regulates drives, four Fs – feeding, fighting, fleeing, & sex
o Pleasure center –
Cerebral cortex (cerebrum) – specialized into four lobes
B. The cerebrum
Frontal
o front of the brain
o huge in humans
o planning
o rational, directed activity
o self-control
o socially appropriate behavior
o Primary Motor Cortex – back end of F. lobe, movement/motor control
Parietal
o top, rear of the brain
o spatial abilities
o integrate sensory information
o sense of touch
o Somatosensory Cortex – front end of P. lobe
Neuroscience and Behavior
I. Why study the brain?
Is it necessary for pyschologists to understand the biology of the brain?
o Yes – the brain is the organic matter underlying the mind
The mind-body problem:
o Monism: Mind and the brain are the same thing
o Dualism: Mind and the brain are different entities
o Current research rejects dualism
II. Electrical currents in the brain
The brain communicates via electrical and chemical processes
o Penfield – sticks electrode in people’s open brain
III. Equipotentiality vs. functional localization
Major debate in the 1800s
Equipotentiality – all parts of the cortex contribute equally to all mental abilities
Functional Localization – different parts of the cortex underlie different mental processes
A. Phrenology: assessing personality and abilities by measuring bumps on
the skull
B. Broca’s area
Damage to this area causes impairments in generating speech
Can be studied with TMS
Excellent evidence for functional localization
IV. Brain structure and function
A. Brief overview of brain structure
Brainstem: basic survival programs like breathing, swallowing, & orgasm
Cerebellum: “little brain” – fine motor movement
Hypothalamus: regulates drives, four Fs – feeding, fighting, fleeing, & sex
o Pleasure center –
Cerebral cortex (cerebrum) – specialized into four lobes
B. The cerebrum
Frontal
o front of the brain
o huge in humans
o planning
o rational, directed activity
o self-control
o socially appropriate behavior
o Primary Motor Cortex – back end of F. lobe, movement/motor control
Parietal
o top, rear of the brain
o spatial abilities
o integrate sensory information
o sense of touch
o Somatosensory Cortex – front end of P. lobe
