Thinking About Psychology
The Science of Mind and Behavior 3e
Charles T. Blair-Broeker & Randal M. Ernst
PowerPoint Presentation Slides
by Kent Korek
Germantown High School
Worth Publishers, © 2012
Biopsychology Domain
Biological Bases of Behavior
Module 05
The Brain
Module Overview
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Studying the Brain
Lower Level Brain Structures
The Cerebral Cortex
Differences Between the Brain’s Two
Hemispheres
Click on the any of the above hyperlinks to go to that section in the presentation.
Module 05: The Brain
Studying the Brain
Module 05: The Brain
Studying the Brain:
Case Studies
Case Study
• A research technique in which one
person is studied in depth in the hope
of revealing universal principles.
• Phineas Gage’s Accident
Module 05: The Brain
Studying the Brain:
Scanning Techniques
Computerized Axial Tomography
(CT or CAT)
• A series of X-ray
photographs taken from
different angles and
combined by computer
into a composite
representation of a slice
through the body.
• Reveals the brain’s
structure
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI)
• A technique that sues
magnetic fields and radio
waves to produce
computer-generated
images that distinguish
among types of soft tissue;
• this allows us to see
structures within the
brain.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• An amplified recording of the
waves of electrical activity
that sweep across the brain’s
surface;
• these waves, measured by
electrodes placed on the
scalp, are helpful in
evaluating brain function.
Positron Emission Tomography
Scan (PET scan)
• A visual display of brain activity.
• Injection of a radioactive glucose
• Reveals the brain’s functioning
Module 05: The Brain
Lower Level Brain
Structures
Module 05: The Brain
Lower-Level Brain
Structures:
The Brainstem
Brainstem
• The oldest part and central core of
the brain;
• it begins where the spinal cord swells
as it enters the skull and
• is responsible for automatic survival
functions.
Brainstem
Medulla
• Located at the base of the brainstem,
• it controls basic life-supporting
functions like heartbeat and
breathing.
• Damage to this area can lead to death.
Medulla
Reticular Formation
• A nerve network in the brainstem
that plays an important role in
controlling wakefulness and arousal.
• Extending up and down the spinal cord
into the brain
• Controls an organism’s level of
alertness
• Damage to this area can cause a coma.
Module 05: The Brain
Lower-Level Brain
Structures:
The Thalamus
Thalamus
• The brain’s sensory switchboard,
located on top of the brainstem;
• it directs messages to the sensory
receiving areas in the cortex.
• Thalamus is Greek for “inner chamber.”
Thalamus
Module 05: The Brain
Lower-Level Brain
Structures:
The Cerebellum
Cerebellum
• The “little brain”, attached to the
rear of the brainstem;
• it helps coordinate voluntary
movements and balance.
• If damaged, the person could perform
basic movements but would lose fine
coordination skills.
Cerebellum
Cerebellum
Module 05: The Brain
Lower-Level Brain
Structures:
The Limbic System
Limbic System
• A ring of structures at the border of
the brainstem and cerebral cortex;
• it helps regulate functions such as
memory, fear, aggression, hunger,
and thirst, and
• it includes the hypothalamus,
hippocampus, and the amygdala.
Hypothalamus
• A neural structure lying below the
thalamus;
• it helps regulates the body’s
maintenance activities, such as eating,
drinking, body temperature, and it
linked to emotion.
• Plays a role in emotions, pleasure, and
sexual function
Hypothalamus
Hippocampus
• A neural center located in the limbic
system that wraps around the back of
the thalamus;
• it helps processing new memories for
permanent storage.
• Looks something like a seahorse
– Hippo is Greek for “horse.”
Hippocampus
Amygdala
• An almond shaped neural cluster in
the limbic system that controls
emotional responses such as fear and
anger.
Amygdala
Module 05: The Brain
The Cerebral Cortex
Cerebral Cortex
• The intricate fabric of interconnected
neurons that form 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
Corpus Callosum
• The large band of neural fibers that
connects the two brain hemispheres and
• allows them to communicate with each
other.
• Is sometimes cut to prevent seizures
Corpus Callosum
Longitudinal Fissure
• The long crevice that divides the
cerebral cortex into left and right
hemispheres.
• This and other fissures in the brain
create major divisions in the brain called
lobes
Frontal Lobes
• The portion of the cerebral cortex
lying just behind the forehead that is
involved in planning and judgment;
• it includes the motor cortex.
Parietal Lobes
• The portion of the cerebral cortex lying on
the top of the head and toward the rear;
• it includes the somatosensory cortex and
general association areas used in processing
information.
• Regions available for general processing,
including mathematical reasoning
• Designated as the association lobes
• Behind the frontal lobes
Occipital Lobe
• The portion of the cerebral cortex
lying at the back of the head;
• it includes the primary visual
processing areas of the brain.
Temporal Lobes
• The portion of the cerebral cortex
lying roughly above the ears;
• it includes the auditory (hearing)
areas of the brain.
• Where sound information is processed
Motor Cortex
• A strip of brain tissue at the rear of
the frontal lobes that controls
voluntary movement.
• Different parts of the cortex control
different parts of the body.
• The motor cortex in the left hemisphere
controls the right side of the body and
visa versa.
Motor Cortex
Motor Cortex
Somatosensory Cortex
• The strip of brain tissue at the front
of the parietal lobes that registers and
processes body sensations.
• Soma is Greek for “body.”
Somatosensory Cortex
Somatosensory Cortex
Plasticity
• The brain’s ability to change,
especially during childhood, by
reorganizing after damage or
experience.
Module 05: The Brain
Differences Between the
Brain’s Two Hemispheres
Hemispheric Differences
• “Left-brained” and “right-brained”
debunked
• Brain is divided into two hemispheres
but works as a single entity.
• Both sides continually communicate via
the corpus callosum, except in those
with split brains.
Module 05: The Brain
Differences Between the
Two Hemispheres:
Language and Spatial
Abilities
The Brain’s Left Hemisphere
• For most people, language functions are
in the left hemisphere.
• For a small percentage of people,
language functions are in the right
hemisphere.
Broca’s Area
• A brain area of the left frontal lobe
that directs the muscle movements
involve in speech.
• If damaged the person can form the
ideas but cannot express them as speech
Wernicke’s Area
• A brain area of the left temporal lobe
involved in language comprehension
and expression.
• Our ability to understand what is said to
us
• Usually in the left temporal lobe
The Brain’s Right Hemisphere
• Houses the brain’s spatial abilities
• Our spatial ability allows us to perceive
or organize things in a given space,
judge distance, etc.
• Helps in making connections between
words
Split Brain Research
Split Brain Research
Split Brain Research
Split Brain Research
Split Brain Research
Split Brain Research
The End
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Teacher Information
• Domain Coding
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• Scientific Inquiry Domain
• Biopsychology Domain
• Development and Learning Domain
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• Applications of Psychological Science Domain
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• Please feel free to contact me at korek@germantown.k12.wi.us with any
questions, concerns, suggestions, etc. regarding these presentations.
Kent Korek
Germantown High School
Germantown, WI 53022
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