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Summary Mind & Brain (840113-B-6)
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Mind and brain: Brain partBrain part
Lecture 1 Introduction to CNS
How can we study the brain? And its functions?
• Correlational research (measures association between two variables)
-put that in scatterplot: a graph that shows the correlation, description positive or negative,
strength, problem: 1.no causation, 2. coincidental, 3. there is third variable
• Experimental research (manipulates just on aspect of the situation, measure behaviour)
• Relate behaviour and brain activity to exp. Manipulation; between subject design (each
subject participates in only one condition; within subject design (each subject receives all
conditions)
• Tools and strategies to measure brain function und cognition (behaviour level, neuronal level,
TMS, use patients)
History of cognitive neuroscience
Started in 19 th century
• Herman von Helmholtz: speed of nervous transmission
• Franciscus Donders introduced Menat Chromometry via additive factors logic 1868 (try to
measure the time of decision-making, stimulus detection-> stimulus discrimination->choice-
>response
• Korbinian Brodmann 1909 characterized 52 distinct regions of cellular organization of the
cortex
Behaviourism
-about learning (born with tabula rasa)
Behaviourist Model:
Stimulus in the environment -> black box can’t be studied -> response behaviour
Cognitive model: (can scientifically study internal behaviour)
Input in the environment -> mediational process mental event -> output behaviour
Classical conditioning:
• Ivan Pavlov
• Dog, food, bell
-UCS: unconditional stimulus (naturally brings about particular response with having been
learned)
- UCR: unconditional response (a response that is natural and needs not training)
- CS: conditioned Stimulus (a once-neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditional
stimulus to bring about a response formerly caused only by the unconditional stimulus)
-CR: conditional response (a response that, after conditioning, follows a previously neutral
stimulus)
• Watson: conditioning of fear:
• Little Albert
,Operant conditioning:
• Skinner: psychology should not explain behaviour but control behaviour
• By “shaping” behaviour of animals in the lab in “skinner box”
- Used rewards and punishment to shape behaviour
- Individual makes association between particular behaviour and a consequence
E book chapter: 4, page 32 + Lecture 2
The nervous system
Vocabulary/definitions:
Neurons The functional building blocks of the nervous system; cells that transmit
the electric activity that underlies psychological processes
Glial cell Gr. ‘glue; cells surroundings neurons; holding them in place, providing the
nutrients neurons need and isolating toxins that would harm the neuron
Synapse A connection between neurons
Sensory neurons Carry input messages from the sense organs to spinal cord and brain
Motor neurons Transmit output impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the body’s
muscles and organs
Interneurons Perform connective or associative functions within the nervous system
Nervous system Body’s control system; made up of neurons and glial cells;
• Mental activity made by chemical signals of neurons
• Mental power determined by number of neurons and synapses
• Average of adult man brain 86 billion; one neuron possesses around 600 synapses
The nervous system can be broken down into several interrelated subsystems (Figure). The two major
divisions are the peripheral and central nervous systems.
The nervous system contains sensory neurons, motor neurons and interneurons. Its two major divisions
are the central nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous
system. The peripheral system is divided into the somatic system (which is responsible for sensory and
motor functions) and the autonomic nervous system (which directs the activity of the body’s internal
organs and glands).
Question:
What are the three major types
of neuron in the nervous
system? What are their
function
,The peripheral nervous system
Vocabulary/definitions:
Peripheral nervous system Contains all the neural structures that lie outside the brain and spinal
cord
Somatic nervous system Consists of sensory neurons that are specialized to transmit messages
from the eyes, ears and other sensory receptors, and motor neurons
that send messages from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles that
control our voluntary movements
Automatic nervous system Senses the body’s internal functions and controls the glands and the
smoot (involuntary) muscles that form the heart, the blood vessels,
and the lining of the stomach and intestines
Sympathetic nervous system Has an activation or arousal function, and tends to act as a total unit
-governs the fight-or-flight response
Parasympathetic nervous Is far more specific in its opposing actions, affecting one or a few
system organs at a time; in general. Is lows down body processes and
maintains a state of tranquillity
Homeostasis A delicately balanced or constant internal state
Central nervous system Contains the brain and the spinal cord, which connects most parts of
the peripheral nervous system with the brain
• Peripheral divided into somatic and automatic
• Inside the brain and spinal cord nerves are called tracts
• Somatic allows us to sense and respond to your movements
• Automatic= concerned with respiration (Atmung), circulation (Kreislauf), digestion (Verdaung)
- Responses to motivation, stress
Automatic is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic
- They often affect same organ or gland in opposing ways
- They working together to maintain equilibrium (homeostasis) in internal organs, enables us
to perform certain behaviours
The autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. The sympathetic
system has an arousal function and tends to act as a unit. The parasympathetic system slows down body
processes and is more specific in its actions. Together, the two divisions maintain a state of homeostasis,
or internal balance.
Question:
Name the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system. What are the roles of these divisions ?
What are the two main structures in the central nervous system, and what are their roles ?
The spinal cord
Vocabulary/definitions:
Spinal cord 40.5 to 45 cm long, most of the nerves enter and leave the central
nervous system over it; vertebrae (Wirbel) protect its neurons;
Grey matter Tissue in the centre of the spinal cord
White matter Tissue on the outside of the spinal cord
, Spinal reflexes Simple stimulus-response sequences can be triggered without brain
Spinal reflex system Reduce reaction time and potential tissue damage
Medulla oblangata This infamous part of the hindbrain controls various autonomic
nervous system functions including respiration, digestion, heart rate,
functions related to the blood vessels, swallowing, and sneezing
- Motor nerves enter spinal cord on front side
- sensory nerves entering on the back side
The spinal cord contains sensory neurons and motor neurons. Interneurons inside the spinal cord serve
a connective function between the two. Simple stimulus–response sequences can occur as spinal
reflexes.
THE HIERARCHICAL BRAIN: STRUCTURES AND BEHAVIOURAL FUNCTION
Vocabulary:
Forebrain Most advanced part; Cerebrum =
- most superior part of the forebrain,
comprising the cerebral cortex and
several more central structures
- Involved in sensing, thinking, learning,
emotion, consciousness and voluntary
movement
- two hemispheres
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