Summary
General Introduction to Psychology (AIP) week 2 test summary literature
- Course
- Institution
- Book
Summary of the Week 2 Literature of AIP for the Weekly Test.
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
More summaries for
-
Summary Introduction to psychology / Samenvatting Overzicht van de psychologie RUG
-
Samenvatting boek Psychological Science (ISBN 9780393640403) hoofdstukken: 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14-1, 14-2
-
Test Bank for Psychological Science, 6th Edition, Michael Gazzaniga.pdf
Seller
Follow
diedevandervleuten27
Reviews received
Content preview
Literatuur week 23.1 Neurons Are the Basic Units of the Nervous System
Neurons are nerve cells. They receive, integrate, and transmit information in the nervous system.
Complex networks of neurons sending and receiving signals are the functional basis of all psychological
activity. Each neuron communicates with tens of thousand of other neurons. They communicate
selectively with other neurons to form circuits (neural networks).
The somatic nervous system is involved in voluntary behavior. The autonomic nervous system is
responsible for the less voluntary behavior.
Functions of neurons
Nerve cells are powered by electrical impulses and communicate with other nerve cells through
chemical signals. During the reception phase neurons take in the chemical signals from neighboring
neurons.
Integration: incoming signals are assessed.
Transmission: neurons pass their own signals to yet other receiving neurons.
Sensory neurons: Detect information from the physical world and pass that information along to the
brain, usually through the spinal cord.
Somatosensory nerves: The sensory nerves that provide information from the skin and muscles.
Motor neurons: Neurons which direct muscles to contract or relax, thereby produce movement.
Reflex: Automatic motor responses.
, Neuron structure
A typical neuron has four structural regions that participate in communication functions:
- Dendrites
o Branchlike extensions of the neuron that detect information from other neurons.
- Cell body/Soma
o Site in the neuron where information from thousands of other neurons is collected and
integrated.
- Axon
o Long, narrow outgrowth of a neuron by which information is conducted from the cell
body to the terminal buttons.
- Terminal buttons
Nerve in reference to a ‘pinched nerve’: In this context, a nerve is a bundle of axons that carry
information between the brain and other specific locations in the body.
Synapse is the site where chemical communication occurs between neurons. Neurons do not touch one
another. The synapse is a tiny gap between the terminal buttons of the ‘sending’ neuron and the
dendrite of the ‘receiving’ neurons.
The outer surface of a neuron is a membrane, a fatty barrier that does not dissolve in the watery
environment inside and outside the neuron. The membrane is semi-permeable. In the membrane are ion
channels, these allow ions to pass in and out of the cell when the neuron transmits signals down the
axon. Ions are electrically charged, some negative and some positive. The electrically charged molecules
are the basis of the neuron’s electrical activity and their movement is controlled by the membrane.
3.4 The Ability to Study Brian Function Has Improved Dramatically
Phrenology is the practice that believed that if a person used a particular mental function more than
other mental functions, the part of the brain where the emphasized function was performed would grow.
This growth would produce a bump in the overlying skull, by carefully feeling the skull, one could
describe the personality of the individual (Gall and Spurzheim).
The first strong evidence that brain regions perform specialized functions came from Broca. He found
out that the front left side of the brain was important for speech. This region is now called Broca’s area.
Measurement of bodily systems influenced by mental states is called psychophysiological assessment.
Researchers examine how bodily functions change is association with behaviors of mental states.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller diedevandervleuten27. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.23. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
56326 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now