Transcript Introduction to Psychology - Kirkwood Community College

Myers’ EXPLORING
PSYCHOLOGY (6th Ed)
Chapter 2
Neuroscience
& Behavior
Modified from:
James A. McCubbin, PhD
Clemson University
Worth Publishers
Neuroscience &
Behavior
“If the human brain were so simple that
we could understand it, we would be
so simple that we couldn’t.” ~Emerson Pugh
 Biological Psychology
 Branch of psychology
 Explores links between biology &
behavior
Neural Communication:
Neuron (Nerve Cell)
Action Potential
Neural
Communication
Neural
Communication
Neural
Communication
 Endorphins
 Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters
 Linked to pain control & pleasure
 Drugs affect synaptic communication
 Agonists excite
 Antagonists inhibit
Neural
Communication
Neurotransmitter
molecule
Receptor site on
receiving neuron
Receiving cell
membrane
Agonist mimics
neurotransmitter
Antagonist
blocks
neurotransmitter
Nervous System
Nervous
system
Central
(brain and
spinal cord)
Peripheral
Autonomic (controls
self-regulated action of
internal organs and glands)
Somatic (controls
voluntary movements of
skeletal muscles)
Sympathetic
(arousing)
Parasympathetic
(calming)
Types of Neurons
 Sensory Neurons (PNS)
 Carry incoming info from sense receptors to
CNS
 Interneurons (CNS)
 CNS neurons that internally communicate &
intervene between sensory inputs & motor
outputs
 Motor Neurons (PNS)
 Carry outgoing info from CNS to muscles &
glands
Nervous System
 Reflex
 Simple, automatic, inborn response to sensory stimuli
Brain
Sensory neuron
(incoming information)
Muscle
Skin
receptors
Motor neuron
(outgoing
information)
Interneuron
Spinal cord
Brainstem &
Thalamus
Cerebellum
 “Little brain”
attached to rear of
brainstem
 Helps coordinate
voluntary
movement &
balance
Limbic System
Cerebral Cortex
Corpus Callosum
Corpus callosum
 Large band of neural
fibers
 Connects 2 brain
hemispheres
 Carries messages
between hemispheres
Association Areas
 More intelligent animals have increased
“uncommitted” (association) areas of cortex
Brain Structures &
Functions
Endocrine System
 Endocrine System
 Body’s “slow”
chemical
communication
system
 Set of glands that
secrete hormones
into bloodstream