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Human Brain Structures and Functions Study Guide

This guide explores the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system: neurons and glia. It details how these cells communicate through electrical and chemical signals at synapses, the mechanisms of neural coding, and the implications of brain development, particularly the adolescent brain's unique characteristics. Understanding these concepts is crucial for comprehending cognitive functions, learning, and behavior.

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PS260 Course Introduction and Overview

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

A cognitive approach to psychological processes such as perception, attention, memory, language, thinking, and problem solving.

  • perception
  • attention
  • memory
  • language
  • thinking
  • problem solving
  • human information processing
  • neural basis for cognition
  • visual perception
  • working memory system
  • semantic priming
  • stroop effect
  • split brain
  • mood congruence

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology and Memory

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

An exploration of the science of the mind, focusing on the scope of cognitive psychology, memory, and the case of Patient H.M.

  • Cognitive psychology
  • Knowledge acquisition
  • Memory storage
  • Background knowledge
  • Neuroscience
  • Neuropsychology

The Neural Basis for Cognition

The Neural Basis of Cognition

The Neural Basis of Cognition

The cerebral cortex serves as the outermost layer of gray matter playing a key role in attention, perception, awareness, thought, memory, language, and consciousness.

  • Cerebral cortex
  • Cerebrum
  • Motor areas
  • Sensory areas
  • Association areas
  • Primary motor strip
  • Somatosensory strip
  • Central sulcus
  • Cortical homunculus
  • Projection areas
  • Contralateral control
  • Apraxia
  • Agnosia
  • Unilateral neglect syndrome
  • Aphasia

Neurons, Glia, and Synaptic Communication

An overview of neurons, glia, and the processes of synaptic transmission and neural coding.

  • Neurons
  • Dendrites
  • Cell body
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Synaptic gap
  • Presynaptic membrane
  • Postsynaptic membrane
  • Action potential
  • All-or-none law
  • Neural coding
  • Pattern coding
  • Limbic system

Language Processing and Study Abroad

Language Processing and Study Abroad

A research presentation exploring how study abroad contexts impact second language vocabulary, fluency, and grammatical accuracy through the lens of psycholinguistics.

  • language processing
  • psycholinguistics
  • study abroad
  • vocabulary
  • fluency
  • grammatical accuracy
  • priming
  • lexical content
  • idiomatic expressions

Asymmetrical Priming in Second Language Acquisition

The research explores asymmetrical priming effects where first language translations facilitate faster second language word recognition through meaning activation.

  • asymmetrical priming
  • first language translation
  • second language word recognition
  • meaning activation
  • translation priming
  • cognitive similarity
  • implicit knowledge training
  • pathway development

Foundations of Visual Perception and Processing

Introduction to Visual Perception and Processing

This lecture covers visual perception, including the visual cortex, retina, cones, and how the brain processes color, motion, and spatial information.

  • visual perception
  • visual cortex
  • motion perception
  • akinetopsia
  • cones
  • acuity
  • color perception
  • wavelengths
  • visual coding
  • what and where pathways

Perceptual Illusions and Depth Cues

An exploration of how the brain uses attention, knowledge, and various perceptual cues to interpret the whole shape and configuration of the visual field.

  • visual perception
  • attention
  • gestalt
  • perceptual illusions
  • binocular vision
  • monocular cues
  • depth perception
  • diagonal lines and distance
  • texture gradients
  • visual field

The Evolution of the Cognitive Revolution

The Cognitive Revolution and Psychology

The cognitive revolution emerged as an alternative to introspection and behaviourism to explore memory, decision-making, and information processing.

  • Cognitive psychology
  • Introspective approach
  • Behaviourism
  • Cognitive map
  • Language acquisition
  • Transcendental method
  • Gestalt psychology
  • Schema
  • Information processing

The Study of Brain Structure and Function

Mask Priming Experiment and Repetition Effects

Priming Effects in Second Language Learning

An experimental study investigating how varying durations of masked priming affect reaction times and word recognition in second language learners.

  • masked priming
  • reaction time
  • second language learning
  • cognates
  • non-cognates
  • repetition effect
  • priming duration
  • asymmetry

Introduction to Visual Perception and Akinetopsia

Introduction to Visual Perception and Akinetopsia

Perception involves separate and complicated processes, as demonstrated by the disorder akinetopsia where a disruption of movement perception occurs while other aspects of vision remain intact.

  • Visual Perception
  • Akinetopsia
  • Movement perception
  • Visual pattern
  • Object recognition

Methods and Research in Cognitive Psychology

Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology forms a productive partnership with cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology to study mental functioning and brain function.

  • Cognitive neuroscience
  • Neuropsychology
  • fMRI
  • Theta-Burst Stimulation (TBS)
  • Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS)
  • Left inferior gyrus (LIFG)
  • Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC)
  • Domain-general cognitive control
  • Language-specific brain regions

Sources of Evidence about the Brain

Structural and Functional Neuroimaging Techniques

Structural neuroimaging techniques and functional neuroimaging techniques provide precise pictures of a living brain to reveal brain structures and neural activity.

  • Structural neuroimaging
  • Computerized axial tomography (CAT/CT)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Functional neuroimaging
  • Positron emission tomography (PET)
  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
  • Fusiform face area (FFA)

Electrical and Chemical Brain Research Methods

Brain function is studied through electrical recording, chemical neurotransmitter effects, and manipulations of brain sites to understand neural activity and structure.

  • Electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • Event-related potentials (ERPs)
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
  • Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES)
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Temporal resolution
  • Spatial resolution
  • Causal data

Experimental Methods and Training Effects

Experimental Training Paradigms and Priming Effects

An investigation into whether priming promotes confidence, recall, and motivation in language training or merely provides in-the-moment ease.

  • priming
  • experimental design
  • recall
  • processing cost
  • asymmetry
  • motivation
  • training paradigm

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