Biological Bases of Behavior

1. Biological Bases of Behavior Chapter 2

2. Phrenology • Franz Gall • Bumps on the skull can reveal traits • Helped biological psychologist discover that the various parts of the brain have different functions

3. Neurons Sensory Neurons – carry messages to the brain (come in through sensory receptors) Motor Neurons – carry messages from the brain to muscles/glands Interneurons – carry messages between neurons, within the central nervous system

4. Neurons • Tissues that send messages to and from the brain (think of the telephone game) • Parts • Dendrites – • Axon – • Axon Terminals - • Myelin Sheath – • Cell Body – • Nucleus – • Synapse -

5. Neurons • Dendrite • the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body • Axon • the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages are sent to other neurons or to muscles or glands • Myelin Sheath • a layer of fatty cells segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons • enables vastly greater transmission speed of neutral impulses

6. Neurons • Synapse • junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron • tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or cleft • Axon terminals • The branches that form junctions with other cells • It is where the information leaves the neuron • Cell body (soma) • the “factory” of the neuron, where the nucleus is located; • The control center for the neuron

7. The Nervous System • CNS – Central Nervous System • Brain • Spinal Cord • PNS – Peripheral Nervous System • Somatic Nervous System • Autonomic Nervous System • Sympathetic Nervous System – spends energy • Parasympathetic Nervous System – saves energy

8. The Brain • Forebrain • Covers central core • Midbrain • Relays sensory information upward • Hindbrain • Basic life processes

9. The brain Frontal lobe Parietal lobe Occipital lobe Temporal lobe

10. Frontal lobe Located just behind the forehead Involved in personality, making plans and judgments Also controls emotions (In the front)

11. Occipital lobe Located in the back of the head The primary visual processing area Damage to this area could result in loss of vision (Eyes in the back of your head)

12. Temporal lobe Auditory (sound) information is first processed here Located above the ears (Right by your temples)

13. Parietal lobe Located behind the frontal lobes Perceives sensory inputs and and also associates these inputs with past memories (The only one left)

14. hemispheres Left: Language, Math, And Reasoning Right: Emotion, Relationships, music

15. Imaging • CAT Scan: X-rays taken from different angles of the brain • MRI: computer generated images of soft tissue in the brain • EEG: electrodes on the scalp measure waves of electrical activity in the brain • PET: a visual display of brain activity based on glucose (blood sugar)

16. Nature/Nurture debate Nature – inherited genetic traits Nurture – learned traits based on how you were raised Huge debate in psychology Best way to study: twins