Inhoudsopgave
Week 1: Neurobasics, evolutie en het sociale brein..........................................2
Hoofdstuk 1.................................................................................................................... 2
Hoofdstuk 2.................................................................................................................... 3
Hoofdstuk 3.................................................................................................................... 6
Hoorcollege 1.................................................................................................................. 8
Week 2: Neurobiologische methoden.............................................................11
Rest Hoofdstuk 2.......................................................................................................... 11
Hoorcollege 2................................................................................................................ 20
Week 3: Stress............................................................................................. 24
Koss & Gunnar (2018)................................................................................................... 24
Hoorcollege 3................................................................................................................ 25
Week 4: Emotie en motivatie........................................................................28
Hoofdstuk 4.................................................................................................................. 28
Hoorcollege 4................................................................................................................ 39
Week 5: Gezichtsherkenning.........................................................................42
Hoofdstuk 5.................................................................................................................. 42
Hoorcollege 5................................................................................................................ 48
Week 6: Empathie en altruïsme.....................................................................51
Hoofdstuk 6.................................................................................................................. 51
Hoofdstuk 7.................................................................................................................. 56
Hoorcollege 6................................................................................................................ 58
Week 7: Moraliteit en antisociaal gedrag.......................................................62
Hoofdstuk 10................................................................................................................ 62
Hoorcollege 7................................................................................................................ 67
Week 8: Ontwikkeling van het brein..............................................................70
Hoofdstuk 11................................................................................................................ 70
Hoorcollege 8................................................................................................................ 76
Week 9: Relaties en sociale binding..............................................................79
Hoofdstuk 8.................................................................................................................. 79
Hoorcollege 9................................................................................................................ 84
,Week 1: Neurobasics, evolutie en het sociale brein
Hoofdstuk 1
Social psychology = an attempt to understand and explain how the thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors of individuals are influences by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.
Cognitive psychology = the study of mental processes such as thinking, perceiving, speaking,
acting, and planning
Social neuroscience links together all disciplines: linking cognitive and social psychology,
and linking ‘mind’ (psychology) with ‘brain’ (biology, neuroscience)
Social neuroscience = how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by
the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others
Can the ‘social brain’ be considered special from all other functions that the brain carries out
(talking, walking, planning etc.)?
- Modularity = certain cognitive processes (or regions of the brain) are restricted in the
type of information they process, and the type of processing carried out
- Domain specificity = a cognitive process (or brain region) is specialized for
processing only one kind of information
‘Social brain’ may be implemented in:
- A simple domain-specific view consisting of brain regions that are specialized for
processing particular kinds of social information (e.g. person perception) and non-
social information (e.g. cognitive control) niet aan te bevelen
- Brain networks of regions in which each region had a high degree of specialization
(e.g. specific to social information)
- Neither brain regions nor individual brain networks are functionally specialized or
segregated into social and non-social functions
Forward inference = if someone is frightened their amygdala is activated
Reverse inference = if the amygdala is activated then someone is frightened
Blank slate scenario = the idea that the brain learns environmental contingencies without
imposing any biases, constraints, or preexisting knowledge on that learning – the brain just
accepts, stores, and processes knowledge and the nature of social interactions is entirely
attributable to culture, society, and the environment
Cultural neuroscience = interdisciplinary field bridging cultural psychology, neurosciences,
and neurogenetics that explains how neurobiological processes give rise to cultural values,
practices, and beliefs as well as how culture shapes neurobiological processes:
- Examining how immersion in different cultural systems affects the functioning of
different brain networks, and how differences in biology might be linked to cultural
practice
,Hoofdstuk 2
Structure and function of the neuron
Neurons = type of cells that make up the nervous system. Consist of:
- A cell body (soma) that contains nucleus (genetic code involved in protein synthesis)
and other organelles
- Dendrites = branching structures that receive information from other neurons
- An Axon = branching structure that sends information to other neurons and transmits
action potentials
o Om de axon zit een laagje (myeline schede/myelin sheath) = waardoor
signalen snel overgebracht kunnen worden en er minder signalen verloren gaan
Neurons receive information from other neurons and make a ‘decision’ about this information
that can be passed on to other neurons
Synapse = small gap between neurons in which neurotransmitters are released, permitting
signaling between neurons
- Neurotransmitters = chemicals that are released into the synaptic cleft
- Action potential = sudden change in the electrical properties of the neuronal
membrane in the axon. If passive currents are sufficiently strong when they reach the
beginning of the axon in the post-synaptic neuron, an action potential will be triggered
in this neuron.
o Excitatory = promote further firing
o Inhibitory = reduce the likelihood of further firing
Ionen zijn elektrisch geladen deeltjes die ervoor zorgen dat er een elektrisch signaal of
verschil ontstaat.
The nervous system consists of
- The central nervous system (centrale zenuwstelsel) consists of:
o The brain
o The spinal cord
- The peripheral nervous system consists of nerves sending and receiving signals to
other parts of the body. Divided in:
o The autonomic nervous system = controls and monitors bodily functions
(heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, and pupil
diameter). Divided in:
The sympathetic system = actie, fight/flight om te overleven
increases arousal (increasing heart rate, breathing, pupil size) and
decreases functions as digestion
The parasympathetic system = rust, reserves opbouwen zodat lichaam
weer herstelt resting effect (decreased heart rate, breathing, pupil
size) and increases functions as digestion
o The somatic nervous system = coordinates muscle activity
Measuring bodily responses
- Electromyography (EMG) =, implemented by the somatic nerves
o Measures muscle activity associated with emotional expressions in response to
seeing expressions in others or as a potentially implicit measure of prejudice
- Skin conductance response (SCR) = measures of autonomic system functioning
o Monitor small changes in conductivity because of mild sweating
, - Measures of heart rate and breathing (lie detector, polygraph) = measures of
autonomic system functioning
- Pupillometry (changes in pupil dilation) = measures of autonomic system functioning
The organization and structure of the brain
Neurons form white matter (axons and support cells (glia)) and gray matter (neuronal cell
bodies) within the brain:
- The brain consists of a highly convoluted folded sheet of gray matter (the cerebral
cortex), beneath which lies the white matter
o The cerebral cortex consists of two folded sheets of gray matter organized in
two hemispheres (left and right):
Gyri = the raised folds of the cortex
Sulci = the buried grooves of the cortex hoe dieper de groeven, hoe
verder de hersenen in evolutie zijn
- In the center of the brain, beneath the white matter fibers, lies another collection of
gray matter structures (the subcortex), which includes:
o The basal ganglia = involved in aspects of motor control and skill learning,
consisting of
Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus
o The limbic system = involved in relating the organism to the environment
based on current needs, the present situation, and previous experiences,
including:
Amygdala = detection of fearful or threatening stimuli
Hippocampus = learning and memory
Cingulate gyrus = detection of emotional and cognitive conflicts
Mamillary bodies
o The diencephalon:
Thalamus = two interconnected egg-shaped masses in the center of the
brain functioning as the main sensory relay for all senses (except smell)
between the sense organs and the cortex
Hypothalamus = lies beneath the thalamus and specializes in different
functions primarily concerned with the body, such as body temperature,
hunger and thirst, sexual activity, and regulation of endocrine functions
- White matter lies:
o Between different cortical regions within the same hemisphere
o Between different cortical regions in different hemispheres (corpus callosum)
o Between cortical and subcortical structures
Anterior/rostral = towards the front of the brain prefrontale cortex
Posterior/caudal = towards the back of the brain occipital
Dorsal/superior = towards the top of the brain parietal
Ventral/inferior = towards the bottom of the brain temporal
Neuroendocrine differences
Hormones = messenger molecules that are released into the bloodstream by specialized
neurons in the brain or by certain glands and are only received by cells that attract
(happertjes) the hormones. It can have two effects on the brain and behavior:
Week 1: Neurobasics, evolutie en het sociale brein..........................................2
Hoofdstuk 1.................................................................................................................... 2
Hoofdstuk 2.................................................................................................................... 3
Hoofdstuk 3.................................................................................................................... 6
Hoorcollege 1.................................................................................................................. 8
Week 2: Neurobiologische methoden.............................................................11
Rest Hoofdstuk 2.......................................................................................................... 11
Hoorcollege 2................................................................................................................ 20
Week 3: Stress............................................................................................. 24
Koss & Gunnar (2018)................................................................................................... 24
Hoorcollege 3................................................................................................................ 25
Week 4: Emotie en motivatie........................................................................28
Hoofdstuk 4.................................................................................................................. 28
Hoorcollege 4................................................................................................................ 39
Week 5: Gezichtsherkenning.........................................................................42
Hoofdstuk 5.................................................................................................................. 42
Hoorcollege 5................................................................................................................ 48
Week 6: Empathie en altruïsme.....................................................................51
Hoofdstuk 6.................................................................................................................. 51
Hoofdstuk 7.................................................................................................................. 56
Hoorcollege 6................................................................................................................ 58
Week 7: Moraliteit en antisociaal gedrag.......................................................62
Hoofdstuk 10................................................................................................................ 62
Hoorcollege 7................................................................................................................ 67
Week 8: Ontwikkeling van het brein..............................................................70
Hoofdstuk 11................................................................................................................ 70
Hoorcollege 8................................................................................................................ 76
Week 9: Relaties en sociale binding..............................................................79
Hoofdstuk 8.................................................................................................................. 79
Hoorcollege 9................................................................................................................ 84
,Week 1: Neurobasics, evolutie en het sociale brein
Hoofdstuk 1
Social psychology = an attempt to understand and explain how the thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors of individuals are influences by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.
Cognitive psychology = the study of mental processes such as thinking, perceiving, speaking,
acting, and planning
Social neuroscience links together all disciplines: linking cognitive and social psychology,
and linking ‘mind’ (psychology) with ‘brain’ (biology, neuroscience)
Social neuroscience = how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by
the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others
Can the ‘social brain’ be considered special from all other functions that the brain carries out
(talking, walking, planning etc.)?
- Modularity = certain cognitive processes (or regions of the brain) are restricted in the
type of information they process, and the type of processing carried out
- Domain specificity = a cognitive process (or brain region) is specialized for
processing only one kind of information
‘Social brain’ may be implemented in:
- A simple domain-specific view consisting of brain regions that are specialized for
processing particular kinds of social information (e.g. person perception) and non-
social information (e.g. cognitive control) niet aan te bevelen
- Brain networks of regions in which each region had a high degree of specialization
(e.g. specific to social information)
- Neither brain regions nor individual brain networks are functionally specialized or
segregated into social and non-social functions
Forward inference = if someone is frightened their amygdala is activated
Reverse inference = if the amygdala is activated then someone is frightened
Blank slate scenario = the idea that the brain learns environmental contingencies without
imposing any biases, constraints, or preexisting knowledge on that learning – the brain just
accepts, stores, and processes knowledge and the nature of social interactions is entirely
attributable to culture, society, and the environment
Cultural neuroscience = interdisciplinary field bridging cultural psychology, neurosciences,
and neurogenetics that explains how neurobiological processes give rise to cultural values,
practices, and beliefs as well as how culture shapes neurobiological processes:
- Examining how immersion in different cultural systems affects the functioning of
different brain networks, and how differences in biology might be linked to cultural
practice
,Hoofdstuk 2
Structure and function of the neuron
Neurons = type of cells that make up the nervous system. Consist of:
- A cell body (soma) that contains nucleus (genetic code involved in protein synthesis)
and other organelles
- Dendrites = branching structures that receive information from other neurons
- An Axon = branching structure that sends information to other neurons and transmits
action potentials
o Om de axon zit een laagje (myeline schede/myelin sheath) = waardoor
signalen snel overgebracht kunnen worden en er minder signalen verloren gaan
Neurons receive information from other neurons and make a ‘decision’ about this information
that can be passed on to other neurons
Synapse = small gap between neurons in which neurotransmitters are released, permitting
signaling between neurons
- Neurotransmitters = chemicals that are released into the synaptic cleft
- Action potential = sudden change in the electrical properties of the neuronal
membrane in the axon. If passive currents are sufficiently strong when they reach the
beginning of the axon in the post-synaptic neuron, an action potential will be triggered
in this neuron.
o Excitatory = promote further firing
o Inhibitory = reduce the likelihood of further firing
Ionen zijn elektrisch geladen deeltjes die ervoor zorgen dat er een elektrisch signaal of
verschil ontstaat.
The nervous system consists of
- The central nervous system (centrale zenuwstelsel) consists of:
o The brain
o The spinal cord
- The peripheral nervous system consists of nerves sending and receiving signals to
other parts of the body. Divided in:
o The autonomic nervous system = controls and monitors bodily functions
(heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, and pupil
diameter). Divided in:
The sympathetic system = actie, fight/flight om te overleven
increases arousal (increasing heart rate, breathing, pupil size) and
decreases functions as digestion
The parasympathetic system = rust, reserves opbouwen zodat lichaam
weer herstelt resting effect (decreased heart rate, breathing, pupil
size) and increases functions as digestion
o The somatic nervous system = coordinates muscle activity
Measuring bodily responses
- Electromyography (EMG) =, implemented by the somatic nerves
o Measures muscle activity associated with emotional expressions in response to
seeing expressions in others or as a potentially implicit measure of prejudice
- Skin conductance response (SCR) = measures of autonomic system functioning
o Monitor small changes in conductivity because of mild sweating
, - Measures of heart rate and breathing (lie detector, polygraph) = measures of
autonomic system functioning
- Pupillometry (changes in pupil dilation) = measures of autonomic system functioning
The organization and structure of the brain
Neurons form white matter (axons and support cells (glia)) and gray matter (neuronal cell
bodies) within the brain:
- The brain consists of a highly convoluted folded sheet of gray matter (the cerebral
cortex), beneath which lies the white matter
o The cerebral cortex consists of two folded sheets of gray matter organized in
two hemispheres (left and right):
Gyri = the raised folds of the cortex
Sulci = the buried grooves of the cortex hoe dieper de groeven, hoe
verder de hersenen in evolutie zijn
- In the center of the brain, beneath the white matter fibers, lies another collection of
gray matter structures (the subcortex), which includes:
o The basal ganglia = involved in aspects of motor control and skill learning,
consisting of
Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus
o The limbic system = involved in relating the organism to the environment
based on current needs, the present situation, and previous experiences,
including:
Amygdala = detection of fearful or threatening stimuli
Hippocampus = learning and memory
Cingulate gyrus = detection of emotional and cognitive conflicts
Mamillary bodies
o The diencephalon:
Thalamus = two interconnected egg-shaped masses in the center of the
brain functioning as the main sensory relay for all senses (except smell)
between the sense organs and the cortex
Hypothalamus = lies beneath the thalamus and specializes in different
functions primarily concerned with the body, such as body temperature,
hunger and thirst, sexual activity, and regulation of endocrine functions
- White matter lies:
o Between different cortical regions within the same hemisphere
o Between different cortical regions in different hemispheres (corpus callosum)
o Between cortical and subcortical structures
Anterior/rostral = towards the front of the brain prefrontale cortex
Posterior/caudal = towards the back of the brain occipital
Dorsal/superior = towards the top of the brain parietal
Ventral/inferior = towards the bottom of the brain temporal
Neuroendocrine differences
Hormones = messenger molecules that are released into the bloodstream by specialized
neurons in the brain or by certain glands and are only received by cells that attract
(happertjes) the hormones. It can have two effects on the brain and behavior:
