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


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?


Anatomy of the Brain


• Forebrain– Cerebral cortex– Basal ganglia

• Motor movement– Limbic system

Anatomy of the Brain


• 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


• 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


• Medulla Oblongata– Breathing,

swallowing, and digestion

• Pons– Relay station

• Cerebellum– Motor coordination,

posture, and maintaining balance

Hindbrain


Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex


• Contralaterality

• Corpus Callosum– Neural fibers

connecting left and right lobes

– Allows communication between right and left side

Cerebral Cortex


Cerebral Cortex: localization and specialization


Hemispheric Activity Interferes With Ability to Work a Counter


• Wernicke’s area vs. Broca’s area

Specialization of Left Hemisphere


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

Split-Brain Demonstration


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

Brain Disorders

Capgrass syndromePhantom limb

Synesthesia


Structure of a Neuron


Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers •Acetylcholine = associated with Alzheimer’s disease

•Dopamine = associated with schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease

•Serotonin = associated with anorexia


Group Reaction Time and Neural Speed


Viewing Structures and Functions of the Brain


• Single-cell recordings

• Selective lesioning

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

receptors in the brain

Animal Studies


Human Studies

• Electrical recordings• Event-related potential (ERP)


Human Studies

• Static imaging techniques– Angiogram CT

scan; MRI scan


• 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


• 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


• 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


Magnetoencephalography

(MEG)– Measures activity of

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

Metabolic Imaging


Brain Disorders

• Stroke

• Brain tumor

• Head injuries

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

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