2017Year 11 Psychology

Unit 1: How are behaviour and mental processes shaped? Area of Study 2: What influences psychological development?

Brain Function GUIDEBOOK

Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Teacher: ______________________________________________________________________

Area of Study 1: How does the brain function? - Advances in brain research methods have led to new ways of understanding the relationship between the mind, brain and behaviour. In this area of study students examine how our understanding of brain structure and function has changed over time and how the brain enables us to interact with the external world around us. They analyse the roles of specific areas of the brain and the interactions between different areas of the brain that enable complex cognitive tasks to be performed. Students explore how brain plasticity and brain damage can affect a person’s functioning.

Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe how understanding of brain structure and function has changed over time, explain how different areas of the brain coordinate different functions, and explain how brain plasticity and brain damage can change psychological functioning.

Key knowledge

Role of the brain and mental processing behavior

the influence of different approaches over time to understanding the role of the brain, including the brain vs heart debate, mind-body problem, phrenology, first brain experiments and neuroimaging techniques

the basic structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems as communication systems between the body’s internal cells and organs and the external world

the role of the neuron (dendrites, axon, myelin and axon terminals) as the primary functional unit of the nervous system, including the role of glial cells in supporting neuronal function

the basic structure and function of the hindbrain (cerebellum, medulla), midbrain (reticular formation) and forebrain (hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebrum)

the role of the cerebral cortex in the processing of complex sensory information, the initiation of voluntary movements, language, symbolic thinking and the regulation of emotion, including localisation of function.

Brain Plasticity and brain damage

infancy and adolescence as periods of rapid development and changes in brain structure and function, including development of myelin, synaptic pruning and frontal lobe development

the impact of injury to the cerebral cortex on a person’s biological, psychological and social functioning and the ability of the brain to undergo adaptive plasticity, illustrated by rehabilitation of people with brain injuries

the use of animal studies and neuroimaging techniques to develop understanding of human neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease.

Dot Point One: the influence of different approaches over time to understanding the role of the brain, including the brain vs heart debate, mind-body problem, phrenology, first brain experiments and neuroimaging techniques

Textbook Reading: Chapter 3 pg. 67-92

Learning Activities:

3.1 p.73 3.2 p.76 3.3 p.88

Revision Questions:

1. Explain the differences in the Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek views of the role of the brain

2. Define Phrenology3. Explain the brain versus heart debate 4. What was the differences between the Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek views

on the brain versus heart debate 5. What is the mind and body problem? Explain the role of the brain and the role of

the body 6. Differentiate between monism and dualism7. What was Rene Descarte’s views on the role of the brain?8. List the difference method of brain research 9. What is the difference between neuroimaging and electrical brain stimulation and

measurement?10. Describe the difference between an EEG, TSM, ESB and DBS 11. What is the role of a CT scan?12. Does a PET scan measure structure or function?13. Explain the difference between a fMRI and a MRI 14. Describe what a SPECT measures 15. Identify how the DOT machine measures the brain

Practice Exam Questions:

1. During Stage 4 deep sleep, A. computed tomography (CT) scan would indicate low activation in the neurons

of the primary visual cortex. B. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan would indicate high activation in the

neurons of the primary motor cortex. C. positron emission tomography (PET) scan would indicate high activation in

the neurons of the reticular activating system. D. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan would indicate low

activation in the neurons of the reticular activating system.

2. Dr Baressi needs to know if the structure of a patient’s brain has been damaged. The quickest and most cost-effective brain scanning technique that Dr Baressi could use would most likely be

A. computed tomography (CT). B. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). C. positron emission tomography (PET). D. single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

3. René Descartes’ theory of consciousness as a psychological construct relies on the concept that

A. the mind and body are separate entities. B. interactions between brain neurons infl uence our consciousness. C. consciousness is an everchanging stream of ideas and occurs only in the brain. D. consciousness is produced by the soul and is located in organs such as the

liver and heart.

4. To obtain the clearest picture of the area of her brain that has been damaged, Sally’s doctor should refer her for

A. direct brain stimulation (DBS). B. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). C. positron emission tomography (PET). D. transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

5. Hemispheric specialisation can be studied using a variety of brain research methods. Of the following, the most invasive method is

A. direct brain stimulation (DBS). B. positron emission tomography (PET). C. transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). D. single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

6. An advantage of PET compared to SPECT is that PET A. provides more detailed images. B. does not use a radioactive tracer. C. shows brain function whereas SPECT only shows brain structure. D. is able to form a three-dimensional computer-enhanced image that can be viewed from different angles whereas SPECT cannot.

Dot Point Two: the basic structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems as communication systems between the body’s internal cells and organs and the external world

Textbook Reading: Chapter 4 pg. 92-98

Learning Activity:

4.1 p. 98

Revision Questions:

1. What are the two main elements of the Central Nervous System 2. Differentiate the difference between the Central Nervous System and

Peripheral Nervous System 3. What are the two elements of the Peripheral Nervous System and explain

what their role is 4. What is the role of Autonomic Nervous System? 5. Name the two neurons used in the Somatic Nervous System 6. Explain the flight, fight and freeze response

Practice Exam Questions:

Oscar and Flynn started attending the same kindergarten at the same time. They had previously attended the same childcare centre together. Initially, when starting kindergarten, Flynn displayed symptoms of separation anxiety when dropped off in the morning, including crying and clinging to his mother. His heart rate also increased and a rash appeared on his forehead. Once his mother left, however, he quickly settled and enjoyed the activities provided by his kindergarten teacher. After one month of attending kindergarten, Flynn no longer cried or clung to his mother when dropped off and he would quickly settle. In contrast, when starting kindergarten, Oscar was very excited. He eagerly ran up to the front door of the kindergarten with great enthusiasm. He hesitantly waved goodbye to his mother, but took his kindergarten teacher’s hand and settled quickly into the activities provided.

1. When initially starting kindergarten, it is most likely that Flynn and Oscar were experiencing, respectively A. eustress, distress. B. distress, eustress. C. distress, no stress response. D. eustress, fight-flight response

2. Which nervous system was most likely dominant when Oscar started kindergarten? A. somatic nervous system B. peripheral nervous system C. sympathetic nervous system D. parasympathetic nervous system

3. Lisa and Karen are going whitewater rafting. Lisa is experiencing eustress before the event and Karen is experiencing distress. In comparing the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems, it is likely that Lisa’s A. sympathetic nervous system is dominant and Karen’s sympathetic nervous system is dominant. B. parasympathetic nervous system is dominant and Karen’s sympathetic nervous system is dominant. C. sympathetic nervous system is dominant and Karen’s parasympathetic nervous system is dominant. D. parasympathetic nervous system is dominant and Karen’s parasympathetic nervous system is dominant.

4. When Geoff feels excited, which parts of his nervous system are most likely to be activated? A. the sympathetic branch of the somatic nervous system B. the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system C. the parasympathetic branch of the somatic nervous system D. the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system

5. The sensory function of the somatic nervous system can be demonstrated by A. the activation of the fight-flight response. B. moving your hand away from a hot stove reflexively. C. the homeostatic response to an increase in body temperature. D. experiencing the sensation of heat when holding a cup of coffee.

6. When Jane feels frightened, which nervous system is most likely to be dominant? A. the somatic nervous system B. the peripheral nervous system C. the sympathetic nervous system D. the parasympathetic nervous system

7. The fight-flight response is typically an example of A. a long-term physiological response to stress. B. a short-term physiological response to stress. C. a response activated by the parasympathetic nervous system. D. an environmental factor that increases a person’s level of stress.

8. Continual activation of a person’s fight-flight response is most likely to A. increase allostatic load.

B. result in allostasis being experienced. C. quickly return the body to homeostasis. D. reduce the level of adrenaline and noradrenaline in the bloodstream.

9. When threatened by a dog, a cat’s salivary glands inhibit secretion of saliva and its fur stands on end. These changes to the cat’s functioning are activated by the A. spinal cord. B. somatic nervous system. C. sympathetic nervous system. D. parasympathetic nervous system.

Shane has an intense and irrational fear of snakes. Shane experiences fear even when he is exposed to a harmless image of a snake in a book or on television. His heart beats faster, he feels sweaty, his mouth feels dry and he leaves the room. To overcome his fear of snakes, Shane seeks the advice of a clinical psychologist.10. The response identified it is activated by the A. somatic nervous system. B. automatic nervous system. C. sympathetic nervous system. D. parasympathetic nervous system.

11. The sensory function of the somatic nervous system can be demonstrated by A. the activation of the fight-flight response. B. moving your hand away from a hot stove reflexively. C. the homeostatic response to an increase in body temperature. D. experiencing the sensation of heat when holding a cup of coffee

12. Jonah was very scared of spiders. One morning, he walked into the bathroom and saw a very large spider on the mirror. He screamed and ran out of the bathroom. His mouth was dry, his heart was beating very fast and he was also breathing quickly. With reference to the human nervous system, explain why Jonah would have experienced these changes in his body

Dot Point Three: the role of the neuron (dendrites, axon, myelin and axon terminals) as the primary functional unit of the nervous system, including the role of glial cells in supporting neuronal function

Textbook Reading: Chapter 3 p.98 - 104

Learning activities:

4.2 p.102 4.3 p.104

Revision Questions:

1. What are the three main elements of a neuron?2. Describe the function of the dendrites 3. Give an example of what the soma does 4. What is the name of the chemical found in the Axon?5. Identify the role of the Axon 6. What is the difference between a neuron and glial cell?7. Myelin is important, explain why. 8. Create a short paragraph explaining how neurons communicate between each

other 9. Why is it important neurons firer?10. Name 2 types of neurons and describe their function

Practice Exam Questions:

1. The correct sequence in which information travels along a neural pathway is A. dendrite, synapse, neurotransmitter, axon. B. synapse, neurotransmitter, axon, dendrite. C. axon, dendrite, synapse, neurotransmitter. D. dendrite, axon, synapse, neurotransmitter.

2. The components of Jeremy’s nervous system that enabled him to pinch Tom’s arm included the

A. motor neurons in his left motor cortex. B. sensory neurons in his right motor cortex. C. motor neurons in his left somatosensory cortex. D. sensory neurons in his left somatosensory cortex.

Dot Point Four: the basic structure and function of the hindbrain (cerebellum,

medulla), midbrain (reticular formation) and forebrain (hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebrum)

Textbook Reading: Chapter 5- p. 110- 114

Learning Activities: 5.1 p114

Revision Questions:

1. List the different parts of the hindbrain2. List the different parts of the mid brain 3. List the different parts of the forebrain 4. Explain the role of the medulla 5. How does pons relate to the eye?6. What is the connection between pons and the cerebellum?7. Explain the importance’s of reticular formation 8. Describe the cerebrum 9. What is the difference between the hypothalamus and the thalamus?

Practice Exam Questions: None found

Dot Point Five- the role of the cerebral cortex in the processing of complex sensory

information, the initiation of voluntary movements, language, symbolic thinking and the regulation of emotion, including localisation of function.

Textbook Reading: Chapter 5- p. 114- p.125

Learning Activities:

5.2 p.119 5.3 p. 124

Revision Questions:

1. Describe the role and the structure of the cerebral cortex2. List the different lobes 3. List the different cortexes 4. Explain the importance of the frontal lobe 5. Describe the connection between the parietal lobe and your senses 6. Identify the cortex found in the occipital lobe and explain its role 7. What does the temporal lobe do? 8. Name and explain two association areas of the brain 9. What is hemispheric specialization?

Practice Exam Questions:

1. The lobe of John’s brain that was most active when he tried to identify the person’s face was his A. left parietal lobe. B. left temporal lobe. C. right occipital lobe. D. right temporal lobe.

2. Which area of Rose’s brain enabled her to pronounce the words ‘cat’ and ‘dog’? A. Broca’s area in the frontal lobe B. Broca’s area in the temporal lobe C. Wernicke’s area in the frontal lobe D. Wernicke’s area in the temporal lobe

3. Information that is presented only to the left visual fi eld will initially be processed by the A. left occipital cortex. B. right occipital cortex. C. left and right parietal cortices. D. left and right occipital cortices.

4. In which part of Tom’s brain would the feeling of the pinch initially be processed? A. primary motor cortex of the left hemisphere B. primary motor cortex of the right hemisphere C. primary somatosensory cortex of the right hemisphere D. primary somatosensory cortex of the left hemisphere

5. As Rosie was an accomplished ballerina who had been learning ballet for 15 years, it is likely that she would have a higher density of sensory neurons associated with the legs and feet in her A. temporal lobe. B. occipital lobe. C. parietal lobe. D. frontal lobe.

The primary cortex areas located in the frontal and temporal lobes are, respectively, the A. motor and auditory cortices. B. visual and auditory cortices. C. somatosensory and visual cortices. D. motor and somatosensory cortices.

6. One of the complex tasks required Madeleine to complete a jigsaw puzzle. During this task, the lobe of the brain that would show the greatest neuronal activation would be the A. left frontal lobe. B. left occipital lobe. C. right parietal lobe. D. right temporal lobe.

7. The part of the human brain that contains almost three-quarters of the brain’s neurons, and that is responsible for reasoning, planning and imagining is the A. frontal lobe. B. parietal lobe. C. cerebral cortex. D. cerebral hemisphere.

8. Jessica is left-handed and uses her left hand for all fi ne motor tasks, including writing, using scissors and using a mouse on a computer. Jessica could be expected to have a higher density of motor neurons associated with the fingers and hand in her A. left primary motor cortex. B. right primary motor cortex. C. left primary somatosensory cortex.

D. right primary somatosensory cortex

9. Dr Higgins is conducting a case study investigating the function of the left hemisphere of the brain. She uses an electrode to stimulate different areas of the left primary motor cortex in Tom, a healthy adult male.

a. Identify one response that Dr Higgins may observe when these areas of Tom’s brain are stimulated.

b. Dr Higgins then stimulated different areas of the right primary somatosensory cortex. What is one response that Dr Higgins may observe when these areas of Tom’s brain are stimulated?

c. In terms of hemispheric specialisation in the brain, what do the above responses suggest?

10. Research indicates that the brain area that is involved in enabling intense, emotionally significant experiences to be well remembered is the A. amygdala. B. visual cortex. C. corpus callosum. D. somatosensory cortex.

11. The medial temporal lobe includes the A. association area, which allows memories to be stored for later retrieval. B. primary cortex, which allows information to be consolidated, and the hippocampus. C. hippocampus, which is involved in the formation of procedural memories, and the amygdala. D. amygdala, which is involved in the formation of memories of emotional experiences, and the hippocampus.

12. The outer layer of the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain is the A. skull. B. cerebellum. C. cerebral cortex. D. corpus callosum.

13. Referring to cortical representation, why is it likely that you would perceive more pain from a cut on your tongue than a cut on your elbow?

Dot Point Six: infancy and adolescence as periods of rapid development and changes in brain structure and function, including development of myelin, synaptic pruning and frontal lobe development

Textbook Reading: Chapter 6 p. 130- 138

Learning Activities:

6.1 p.135 6.2 p.138

Revision Questions:

1. In your own words create a definition of plasticity 2. Differentiate between adaptive and developmental plasticity 3. List the five stages of development 4. Explain Proliferation 5. Describe migration 6. Identify the role of circuit formation 7. Why does synaptic pruning occur?8. List and describe the 5 major changes in an adolescent brain 9. Define sensitive period

Practice Exam Questions:

1. The change in neural connections within the brain that occurs as a result of maturation is referred to as A. shaping. B. myelination. C. adaptive plasticity. D. developmental plasticity.

2. Georgina has suffered a brain injury and cannot move her right arm even though the arm is undamaged. Her physiotherapist has arranged for Georgina to use a therapy machine that exercises her arm by moving it up and down for 30 minutes each day. The physiotherapist has also advised Georgina to think about moving her arm while she is using the machine. In terms of brain plasticity, explain why the physiotherapist advised Georgina to think about moving her arm while using the machine.

3. Which one of the following statements applies to both developmental plasticity and adaptive plasticity? Structural changes to the brain A. occur as a result of experience and learning. B. occur as a result of learning but do not occur as a result of experience. C. can occur equally quickly and extensively throughout the life span of an individual.

D. can be observed only in individuals who are recovering from brain injury and not in those with intact brains.

4. In terms of brain plasticity, why might a child typically recover more quickly from a brain injury than an adult with a similar brain injury?

5. The brain’s ability to reorganise neural pathways in response to new experiences is known as A. adaptive plasticity, which occurs only in people with head injuries. B. adaptive plasticity, which occurs throughout a person’s life. C. adaptive plasticity, which occurs only in early childhood. D. developmental plasticity, which occurs only in early childhood

6.The neural development of newborn babies typically involves A. no neural plasticity. B. creation of new muscles. C. creation of neural pathways. D. a decrease in the number of neural pathways.

7. Meredith was born into an English-speaking family and acquired the English language in the usual way. No other languages were spoken in the home. When Meredith started high school, she studied Italian as a second language.A, In terms of brain plasticity, it is likely that Meredith’s developmental plasticity will A. increase with age.B. diminish with age. C. remain constant over her life span. D. enable her to acquire any language she is exposed to across her life span.

B. Provided that Meredith remains healthy, it is likely that her capacity for adaptive plasticity will A. be maintained. B. increase with age. C. decrease with age. D. prevent her from acquiring new skills she attempts to learn across her life span

8. Describe two features of adaptive plasticity.

Dot Point Seven: the impact of injury to the cerebral cortex on a person’s biological, psychological and social functioning and the ability of the brain to undergo adaptive plasticity, illustrated by rehabilitation of people with brain injuries

Textbook Reading: Chapter 7- p.144- p.167

Learning Activities:

7.1 p.144 7.2 p.147 7.3 p.149

Revision Questions:

1. Explain adaptive Plasticity 2. What is the difference between Broca’s and Wernicke’s aphasia?3. Describe spatial neglect and where is it located4. Explain the split brain surgery and its importance to understanding

hemispheres

Practice Exam Questions:

1. People with spatial neglect following a stroke or other brain injury commonly fail to attend to the A. left side of space. B. right side of space. C. lower area of space. D. both the right and left sides of space.

2. Rose, who has no history of disease or injury to the brain, was asked to maintain her focus on a central fixation point while the following four stimuli were projected at random onto either the left side or right side of a screen: • Stimulus 1 – the word ‘cat’ projected onto the left side of the screen • Stimulus 2 – a picture of a banana projected onto the right side of the screen • Stimulus 3 – the word ‘dog’ projected onto the right side of the screen • Stimulus 4 – a picture of a hammer projected onto the left side of the screen

Rose was instructed to press the space bar on a keyboard as quickly as possible when she saw a picture. When she saw a word, she was instructed to say the word aloud as quickly as possible. The time taken for Rose to respond to each stimulus was recorded.A. Which two stimuli would have most likely produced the fastest response times? A. cat and banana B. dog and banana C. cat and hammer D. dog and hammer

B. Which area of Rose’s brain enabled her to pronounce the words ‘cat’ and ‘dog’? A. Broca’s area in the frontal lobe B. Broca’s area in the temporal lobe C. Wernicke’s area in the frontal lobe D. Wernicke’s area in the temporal lobe

3. A patient with Wernicke’s aphasia is A. unlikely to be aware of their condition, which involves difficulty with producing speech but an ability to comprehend the speech of others. B. likely to be aware of their condition, which involves difficulty with producing speech and difficulty speaking in a way that is meaningful to others. C. likely to be aware of their condition, which involves difficulty with comprehending speech and difficulty speaking in a way that is meaningful to others. D. unlikely to be aware of their condition, which involves difficulty with comprehending speech and difficulty speaking in a way that is meaningful to others.

4. Sperry and Gazzaniga conducted a series of studies with patients who had undergone split-brain surgery

a. With reference to Sperry and Gazzaniga’s studies, explain the most likely response when a patient who has undergone split-brain surgery is asked to verbalise an image of a toothbrush that has been projected to the left visual field

b. The same patient has their left hand placed inside a bag containing a banana, a pen and a toothbrush. At the same time, an image of a toothbrush is projected to the left visual field. Describe how the patient could identify the image of the toothbrush.

5. Josie was diagnosed with spatial neglect syndrome after suffering a stroke.a. Which part of Josie’s brain (lobe and hemisphere) was most likely to be damaged?

b. An occupational therapist placed Josie’s right arm in a sling. Why might the occupational therapist use a sling to treat Josie’s spatial neglect syndrome?

6. If a patient sustained damage to her left temporal lobe, it is most likely that she could suffer from

A. spatial neglect. B. Broca’s aphasia. C. Wernicke’s aphasia. D. the effects of split-brain surgery

Dot Point Eight: the use of animal studies and neuroimaging techniques to develop

understanding of human neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease.

Textbook Reading: Chapter 7 p.163- p.172

Learning Activities:

7.4 p168 7.5 p170

Revision Questions:

1. Write a description of the historical view of animal research 2. What differs between the Greek and Roman view? 3. Why do we need ethics?4. What is animal modeling?5. How is neuroimaging used with animal research?6. Outline the causes of Parkinson’s Disease 7. List ways Parkinsons Disease could be treated

Practice Exam Questions: Found None