AP Psychology Unit II: The Biological Bases of Behavior
Guided Notes #2 Corresponding Chapter(s): Chapter 2/Chapter 3
Fall Semester 2014 Topic: Biological Bases of Behavior (8-10%)
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THE BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR: THE BRAIN
GENERAL LOCATION / STRUCTURE/SPECIFIC LOCATION / FUNCTION / HOW TO REMEMBER / WHAT IS THIS STRUCTURE DOING WHILE YOU ARE RIDING A BICYCLE?
HINDBRAIN
“Reptilian Brain”
**Reptiles, animalsand all humans have these structures, as they form the most basic part of the brain. Predictably, the hindbrain regulates the functions most basic to life. / Medulla Oblongata
Location: On top of the spinal cord; the very bottom of the brain / You “gata” have the medulla oblongata to survive
Pons
Location: Sits on top of the medulla; larger swelling / The pons ponders what information to send to the brain and to the cerebellum
Reticular Formation
Location: Runs through the middle of the medulla & the pons; in between the ears / The reticular formation regulates our alertness
Cerebellum
Location: Located in the rear of the brain; large & deeply folded structure; “little brain” / Sounds like “Sarah balances…”
Brain Stem
Location: Lower part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord / Think of the stem on a piece of broccoli; it connects the stalk to the rest of the broccoli
GENERAL LOCATION / STRUCTURE / FUNCTION / HOW TO REMEMBER / WHAT IS THIS STRUCTURE DOING WHILE YOU ARE RIDING A BICYCLE?
FOREBRAIN
“Animal Brain”
Humans and animalshave this structure; however, reptiles do not. As you review the functions of the animal brain, you may notice that this explains why animals respond to more complex sets of stimuli than do reptiles. / LIMBIC SYSTEM
Location: A loosely connected network of structures / Responsible for mood emotions, as well as the experience of pain and fear
**Includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus and amygdala
Thalamus
Location: Sits on top of the brainstem (part of the Limbic System) / Fifty years ago, an operator would connect a phone call to the house a person was trying to call. This is what the thalamus does.
Hypothalamus
Location: Directly underneath the thalamus & directly above the pituitary gland (part of the Limbic System) / Remember the FOUR Fs: FIGHT, FLIGHT, FOOD, FORNICATION + temperature
Hippocampus
Location: Curved structure located within each temporal lobe; wraps around the back of the thalamus (part of the Limbic System) / Elephants have good memories; so dohippos!
Amygdala
Location: Two almond shaped structures; near the hippocampus / Don’t make “Amy mad!”
GENERAL LOCATION / STRUCTURE / FUNCTION / WHAT ARE THESE STRUCTURES DOING WHILE YOU ARE RIDING A BICYCLE?
CEREBRUM
“Human Brain”
**Features are unique to humans and primates. These areas allow for more complex tasks of intellect, memory and abstraction.
The cerebrum is thelargest and most complex part of the human brain. It is divided into 2 hemispheres and 4 lobes and is covered by the cerebral cortex. / FRONTAL LOBE
Location: Front of the brain; underneath the forehead; largest lobe
Prefrontal Cortex
Primary Motor Cortex
Broca’s Area
TEMPORAL LOBE
Location: Just behind the temples; below the parietal lobe
Auditory Cortex
Wernicke’s Area
PARIETAL LOBE
Location: Top of the head; between the frontal & occipital lobes
Somatosensory Strip
OCCIPITAL LOBE
Location: Toward the back of the brain; at the base of the cortex
Visual Cortex