Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Chapter 2:
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Some Questions of Interest
• What are the fundamental structures
and processes of the human brain?
• How do researchers study the major
structures and processes of the brain?
• What have researchers found as a result
of studying the brain?
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Anatomy of the Brain
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Anatomy of the Brain
• Forebrain
– Cerebral cortex
– Basal ganglia
• Motor movement
– Limbic system
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Anatomy of the Limbic System
• Septum & Amygdala
– Involved in anger, aggression, fear
• Hippocampus
– memories
• Thalamus
– Relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex
• Hypothalamus
– 4 F’s
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Midbrain
• Helps to control eye movement and
coordination
• Reticular activating system
– Controls respiration, cardiovascular
function, digestion, alertness, and sleep
• Brain stem
– Vital in basic attention, arousal, and
consciousness
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Hindbrain
• Medulla Oblongata
– Breathing,
swallowing, and
digestion
• Pons
– Relay station
• Cerebellum
– Motor coordination,
posture, and
maintaining balance
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Cerebral Cortex
• Contralaterality
• Corpus Callosum
– Neural fibers
connecting left and
right lobes
– Allows communication
between right and left
side
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Cerebral Cortex: localization and
specialization
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Hemispheric Activity Interferes
With Ability to Work a Counter
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Specialization of Left Hemisphere
• Wernicke’s area vs. Broca’s area
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Split-Brain Demonstration
What would a split-brain patient say they saw?
What would a split-brain patient point to with their left
hand?
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Brain Disorders
Capgrass syndrome
Phantom limb
Synesthesia
• http://www.ted.com/talks/vilayanur_ramachandran
_on_your_mind.html
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Structure of a Neuron
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers
•Acetylcholine = associated with
Alzheimer’s disease
•Dopamine = associated with
schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease
•Serotonin = associated with anorexia
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Group Reaction Time and
Neural Speed
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Viewing Structures and
Functions of the Brain
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Animal Studies
• Single-cell recordings
• Selective lesioning
• Genetic knockout procedures
• Create animals that lack certain kinds of cells or
receptors in the brain
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Human Studies
• Electrical recordings
• Event-related potential (ERP)
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Human Studies
• Static imaging
techniques
– Angiogram CT
scan; MRI scan
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Metabolic Imaging
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
– Radioactive material is injected or inhaled
– Participant is then scanned to produce an
image of the brain’s activity
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Metabolic Imaging
• Functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI)
– Takes a series of images of the brain in
quick succession
– Brain areas with more blood flow have
been shown to have better visibility
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Metabolic Imaging
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
– Temporarily disrupt functioning of a particular brain
area
– An electrical current passes through a coil on person’s
head, generating a magnetic field
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Metabolic Imaging
Magnetoencephalography
(MEG)
– Measures activity of
the brain from
outside the head by
picking up magnetic
fields emitted by
changes in brain
activity
Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg
Chapter 2
Brain Disorders
• Stroke
• Brain tumor
• Head injuries
http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerfu
l_stroke_of_insight.html