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Chapter 1 - Intro to Neuro

Terms in this set (34)

neurochemistry
brain chemistry
neurophysiology
brain physiology; how the brain functions
neuroanatomy
anatomy of the brain
neuropharmacology
how drugs affect the brain
neuropsychology
the relation to brain to mind and behavior
cognitive neuroscience
the study of the biological basis of thinking and problem solving.
Biopsychology
scientific study of the BIOLOGY of BEHAVIOR
What does the phrase "brain-behavior relationship" refer to?
how the brain functions in producing such psychological phenomena as seeing, remembering, feeling pain, solving conceptual problems, etc.
evolutionary theory
discusses the development and relationships of all life forms on our planet
Genes
provide the code for the unique arrangements of the many protein which make up individuals, including their brains.
phylogenetic
pertaining to phyla, or the relationships of all living organisms.
What is a human's phylogenetic history?
the history of the HEREDITARY precedents of homo sapiens, and the hereditary relationships of humans to other animals.
ontogenetic
pertaining to the development of an individual organism within a particular ENVIRONMENT.
molecular approach
how changes in molecules, such as chemicals, effect larger changes in structure and function.
molar approach
analysis of behavior as the smallest unit of observation.
what are molecular levels of analysis?
pharmacology, neurochemistry, genetics, and neurotransmitters.
What are molar level of analysis?
cognitive explanations, behavioral explanations, brain-behavior relationships, and behavioral genetics
What is the learning/behavioral approach?
The "nurture" in the nature/nurture arguments; behaviors are learned.
What is the S-R model used by learning theorists? What is the brain called?
The brain is ignored as if it were a "black box" and neuroscientists study what goes on in the black box. S-R psychology is how behavior is analyzed in terms of the effect STIMULI have upon RESPONSES.
What is the cognitive approach?
includes a study of the parts of the brain implicated in perception, language, memory, learning and problem solving.
What is the mind-body problem?
the problem that arises when defining the relationship of the psychological experience (sensory experience of one's mind) with the experience of the outside world (a seemingly separate realm of sensory experience). Where is the consciousness?
dualism
mind and brain are separate entities (Aristotle).
interactionism
(cf. Cartesian dualism). Mind and brain are separate, but they INTERACT with one another.
epiphenomenonalism
mind and consciousness are merely the SIDE-EFFECT of the functioning brain
monism (central state identity theory)
mind and brain are the SAME THING, not separate entities.
functionalism
(Jeffrey Fodor). The "machine" doesn't matter, what the "mind" does is the only consideration. In this view, your coke machines have minds!
What are the 4 assumptions neuroscientists make as they study the mind and brain?
determinism, mechanism, reductionism, and emergent property
determinism
neuroscientists assume that the human mind and behavior are the result of the interaction of genes (hereditary) and environment. The brain's action DETERMINES the memory, perception, learning, etc.
mechanism
neuroscientists assume a mechanistic universe; i.e. that there is a physical basis for everything and the mechanisms are knowable
reductionism
neuroscientists assume that the complexities of perception, memory, learning, etc. can be broken down and understood in simpler terms, ultimately by reference to chemical activity in the brain.
emergent property
most neuroscientists assume that human consciousness does not differ radically from the consciousness of other animals - rather, slight differences in brain organization result in differing levels of consciousness among different species. Our human level of consciousness "EMERGED" from more primitive levels upon which it built, as did our brains.
molar level of analysis involves the study of
behavior of whole, intact organisms
molecular level of analysis involves the study of
the brain (anatomy) or chemicals (neurochemistry) involved in the behavior.
explaining a phenomenon by reference to neurochemistry is called _______________________
reductionism
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