Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. Sternberg Chapter 2 Chapter 2: Cognitive Neuroscience

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Chapter 2: Cognitive Neuroscience

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 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. SternbergChapter 2

Anatomy of the Brain

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• Forebrain– Cerebral cortex– Basal ganglia

• Motor movement– Limbic system

Anatomy of the Brain

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• Septum & Amygdala– Involved in anger, aggression, fear

• Hippocampus– memories

• Thalamus– Relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex

• Hypothalamus– 4 F’s

Anatomy of the Limbic System

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• 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

Midbrain

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• Medulla Oblongata– Breathing,

swallowing, and digestion

• Pons– Relay station

• Cerebellum– Motor coordination,

posture, and maintaining balance

Hindbrain

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• Contralaterality

• Corpus Callosum– Neural fibers

connecting left and right lobes

– Allows communication between right and left side

Cerebral Cortex

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Cerebral Cortex: localization and specialization

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Hemispheric Activity Interferes With Ability to Work a Counter

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• Wernicke’s area vs. Broca’s area

Specialization of Left Hemisphere

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

What would a split-brain patient say they saw? What would a split-brain patient point to with their left hand?

Split-Brain Demonstration

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• http://www.ted.com/talks/vilayanur_ramachandran_on_your_mind.html

Brain Disorders

Capgrass syndromePhantom limb

Synesthesia

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Structure of a Neuron

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 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. SternbergChapter 2

Group Reaction Time and Neural Speed

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Viewing Structures and Functions of the Brain

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• Single-cell recordings

• Selective lesioning

• Genetic knockout procedures• Create animals that lack certain kinds of cells or

receptors in the brain

Animal Studies

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Human Studies

• Electrical recordings• Event-related potential (ERP)

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Human Studies

• Static imaging techniques– Angiogram CT

scan; MRI scan

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• Positron emission tomography (PET)– Radioactive material is injected or inhaled– Participant is then scanned to produce an

image of the brain’s activity

Metabolic Imaging

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• 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

Metabolic Imaging

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

• 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

Metabolic Imaging

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Magnetoencephalography

(MEG)– Measures activity of

the brain from outside the head by picking up magnetic fields emitted by changes in brain activity

Metabolic Imaging

Cognitive Psychology, Sixth Edition, Robert J. SternbergChapter 2

Brain Disorders

• Stroke

• Brain tumor

• Head injuries

http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html