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Psych of Memory Chapter 2

Terms in this set (31)

Neuroimaging
refers to a set of techniques that allows researchers to make detailed maps of the human brain and assign functions to particular regions in the brain
EEG (electroencephalography)
using electrodes to measure the electrical output of the brain by recording electric current at the scalp
PET (positron emission tomography)
radioactive chemicals are placed in the blood, allowing scientists to obtain a three-dimensional image of the intact brain
fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imagery)
magnetic fields create a three-dimensional image that can capture both the structure and function of the brain
Engram
the hypothetical physical unit of storage of a memory
Alzheimer's disease
one of many dementia-type illnesses that are more common in older adults than in younger adults. Memory is the first deficit detected in this disease
Traumatic brain injuries
sudden and devastating injuries to the brain
Clinical neuropsychology
the practice of helping brain-damaged patients recover and cope with their injuries
Neurons
biological cells that specialize in the transmission and retention of information
Dendrites
the parts of the neuron that receive information from other neurons or directly from sensory receptors
Axon
the part of the neuron that sends information to other neurons
Action potential
the electrochemical process of transmission in an axon
Synapses
gaps between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of the next neuron, in which transmission occurs via neurotransmitters
Terminal buttons
the ends of axon that hold neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
chemicals (such as dopamine) that cross the synapse and induce an electric flow in the next neuron
Multiple sclerosis
a disease that causes the loss of myelin along axons, resulting in movement deficits
Cerebral cortex
the outer layer of the brain most associated with higher cognitive and emotional functioning
Hippocampus
an area of the brain associated with learning and memory. Damage can cause anterograde (subsequent to injury) amnesia
Limbic system
set of brain structures located just beneath the cerebral cortex, that includes the hypothalamus, the hippocampus, and the amygdala and functions as an important area for both memory and emotion
Amnesia
memory deficits acquired through brain damage
Amygdala
a part of the brain critical in emotional learning, fear, and memory
Thalamus
an area of the brain heavily connected to other areas of the brain. It appears to serve as a routing center, connecting disparate parts of the brain
Frontal lobe
the most anterior part of the cerebral cortex. It is associated with higher emotions, decision making, metacognition, and memory
Prefrontal cortex (prefrontal area)
the part of the frontal lobe most associated with higher emotions (e.g., jealousy, respect) and memory
Temporal lobe
a part of the cerebral cortex associated with learning, memory audition, and language
Event-related potential
the averaged EEG pattern across many trials of EEG recordings in response to a particular class of stimulus
Anterograde amnesia
an inability to form new memories following brain damage
Retrograde amnesia
an inability to retrieve memories of events prior to brain damage
Cholinergics
drugs prescribed to patients with Alzheimer's disease that alleviate memory loss in early phases of the disease
Benzodiazepines
drugs that are used usually because of their effects on anxiety, insomnia, and muscle relaxation. They are also strong amnesia-inducing drugs, especially within the episodic memory domain
Olfactory bulb
the primary organ in the brain for processing odors
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