Thinking About Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behavior

1. Thinking About Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behavior Charles T. Blair-Broeker Randal M. Ernst

2. The Brain Module 07

3. Lower-Level Brain Structures: The Brainstem Module 7: The Brain

4. Brainstem • The oldest part of the brain • Is responsible for automatic survival functions • Located where the spinal cord swells and the brain just begins

5. Medulla • The base of the brainstem • Controls life-supporting functions like heartbeat and breathing • Damage to this area can lead to death.

6. Medulla • Life Support: Controls… • Breathing / Respiration • Heart rate • Blood Pressure • Digestion • Swallowing, coughing, vomiting etc.

7. Medulla • Injury to this area can cause death… • Hanging – pathways severed • Karate Chops - dangerous • Whiplash • Kennedy shot in medulla • Christopher Reeves - damaged

9. Reticular Formation • A nerve network extending up and down the spinal cord into the brain • Controls an organism’s level of alertness • Driving – sleepy, snaps us awake – deer! • Damage to this area can cause a coma.

11. Thalamus • Sits atop the brainstem • The brain’s sensory switchboard -- directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex (all senses except smell) • Thalamus is Greek for “inner chamber.” • If spinal cord damaged, thalamus can not work

13. Cerebellum • Latin for the “little brain” • Located in the rear of the brain (Looks like “cauliflower”) • Coordination and Balance • Precise movement, posture and muscle tone • Injury: relearn eating and walking

14. Cerebellum • If damaged, the person could perform basic movements but would lose fine coordination skills. • Alcohol consumption affects this area • “Under the influence”, may stagger and not be able to walk a straight line or stand on one foot

15. Pons • Connects Cerebellum to rest of brain • Regulates sleeping, waking, dreaming • Blow to head – effects this area

17. Lower-Level Brain Structures: The Limbic System Module 7: The Brain

18. Limbic System • A ring of structures around the thalamus; at the border of the brainstem and cerebral cortex • Helps regulate memory, aggression, fear, hunger, and thirst • Includes the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala

19. Hypothalamus • Small bean-shaped; thumbnail size • Master controller of emotions (pleasure center) • Hunger and thirst • Body temperature (sweating or shivering) • Urination • Sleep and wakefulness

20. Hypothalamus • Triggers “Fight or flight response” • Stress – causes hands to get cold, blood flows to vital organs

22. Hippocampus • Wraps around the back of the thalamus • Plays a role in processing new memories for permanent storage • Alzheimers patients have problems in this area • Looks something like a seahorse • Hippo is Greek for “horse.”

24. Amygdala • Two almond shaped structures • Controls emotional responses such as fear and anger

26. The Cerebral Cortex Module 7: The Brain

27. Cerebral Cortex • The body’s ultimate control and information processing center • Covers the brain’s lower level structures • Contains an estimated 30 billion nerve cells • Divided into four lobes

28. Corpus Callosum • The large band of neural fibers that connects the two brain hemispheres and carries messages between them • Is sometimes cut to prevent seizures • “Contra Lateral Control” – opposite hemispheres control opposite sides of body

29. Longitudinal Fissure • The crevice that divides the brain into two halves or hemispheres • This and other fissures in the brain create major divisions in the brain called lobes

32. Frontal Lobes • The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead • Primary function in planning, thinking, creativity, speech etc… • Damaged: alter personality

34. Parietal Lobes • Behind the frontal lobes • Regions available for general processing, including mathematical reasoning • Puzzles, drink from straw etc… • Designated as the association lobes • Recognize objects by touch and sight • Damaged: cause “Visual Agnosia” • Inability to name common objects by sight

36. Occipital Lobe • Located in the back of the head • The primary visual processing area • Color, lines and movement • Damaged: blindness can occur

38. Temporal Lobes • Located roughly above the ears • Includes the auditory cortex where sound information is processed • Language comprehension • Right temporal lobe • Perception of music and tone • Spatial relationships, complex visual images and facial expressions

40. Cerebral Cortex

41. Cerebral Cortex

42. Cerebral Cortex

43. Cerebral Cortex