The Brain
& Behavior
Be able to recognize:
1. Tools used to study the brain.
2. Major brain regions, their components, and functions.
3. Functions of medulla, pons, cerebellum, reticular formation
and activating system, cerebral hemispheres, and corpus
callosum.
4. Role of limbic system and its components
5. Examples of brain malfunctions and their locations
6. Key glands in the endocrine system and their functions
Objectives
Looking Inside the Brain: Research Methods
• Lesioning – Destroying a piece of the brain
• Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB) – Sending a weak
electric current into a brain structure to stimulate (activate) it
• CT (computerized tomography) scan – A computer-enhanced X-
ray of brain structure
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan – Uses magnetic fields,
radio waves, and computerized enhancement to map out brain
structure
• PET (positron emission tomography) scan – Uses radioactive
markers to map chemical activity in the brain over time
• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) – Variations on
MRI technology that monitor blood flow and oxygen consumption in
the brain to identify areas of high activity
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
(Cengage, 2019)
Early information on the link
between the brain and emotions
came from a case study on
Phineas Gage.
( adapted from Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)
Damage Studies
Example: Phineas Gage
Siemens fMRI Unit
From singularityhub.com
Brain Scans & Humor: 2006
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(Adapted from Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011)
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
The Spinal Cord
• The spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body
through the peripheral nervous system.
• It is part of the central nervous system.
The Brain
• Anatomically, the brain is the part of the central nervous
system that fills the upper portion of the skull.
• It contains billions of interacting cells that integrate
information from inside and outside the body.
Region Functions Components
Forebrain Emotion & complex thought
Thalamus,
hypothalamus, limbic
system, cerebrum,
cerebral cortex
Midbrain Sensory functions
Dopaminergic
projections, reticular
activating system
Hindbrain Vital functionsMedulla, pons, and cerebellum
Major Brain Regions & Functions
( adapted from Thomson Higher Education, 2007, 2001)
The Hindbrain
• Hindbrain – The part of the brain that includes the
cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of
the brainstem: the medulla and the pons
– Medulla – Attaches to the spinal cord; controls largely
unconscious but essential functions, such as breathing,
maintaining muscle tone, and regulating circulation
– Pons – Includes a bridge of fibers that connects the brainstem
with the cerebellum. Influences sleep and arousal
– Cerebellum – A relatively large and deeply folded structure
located adjacent to the back surface of the brainstem
Regulates posture, muscle tone, and muscular coordination
(Cengage, 2019)
Figure 3.12 Structures and areas in the human brain
The Hindbrain to Midbrain
Midbrain – The segment of the brainstem that lies between
the hindbrain and the forebrain
• Reticular Formation (RF): Inside medulla; associated
with alertness, attention, breathing, pain perception and some
muscle reflexes
• Reticular Activating System (RAS): Part of RF
that keeps it active and alert. Like an alarm clock - activates
and arouses cerebral cortex
The Forebrain
• Cerebrum – The largest and most complex part
of the human brain
– Cerebral cortex – The convoluted outer layer of the
cerebrum
– Cerebral hemispheres – The right and left halves of
the cerebrum
– Corpus callosum – The major structure that
connects the two cerebral hemispheres
(Cengage, 2019)
Figure 3.14 The cerebral hemispheres and the corpus callosum
(Sporns, 2013)
The corpus callosum is
the major “cable
system” through which
the right and left
cerebral hemispheres
communicate. A study
found that the corpus
callosum is larger in
classically trained
musicians than it is in
nonmusicians. When a
person plays a violin or
piano, the two
hemispheres must
communicate rapidly
as they coordinate the
movements of both
hands. Presumably,
the size of the corpus
callosum can be
altered by early
experience, such as
musical training.
( adapted from Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)
(Discover Magazine, 2012)
Right Brain/Left Brain: Cerebral Specialization?
• Left hemisphere
– verbal processing: language, speech, reading, writing
• Right hemisphere
– nonverbal processing: spatial, musical, visual recognition
(Adapted from Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011)
( adapted from Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)
See name
Each side of brain
Just above occipital
Back of brain
Location
Movement, sense of smell, higher
mental functions; contains motor
cortex that controls movement
Frontal
Auditory and language centersTemporal
Bodily sensations such as touch,
pain, and temperatureParietal
Vision centerOccipital
FunctionLobe
Lobes of Cerebral Cortex
( adapted from Thomson Higher Education, 2007, 2001)
Figure 3.15 The cerebral cortex in humans
(Dae-Jin Kim, 2013)
Figure 3.14
(Cengage, 2019)
More on the Forebrain
• Forebrain – The largest and most complicated region of
the brain, encompassing a variety of structures, including
the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and
cerebrum
– Thalamus – A structure in the forebrain through which all
sensory information (except smell) must pass to get to the
cerebral cortex
– Hypothalamus – A structure found near the base of the
forebrain that is involved in the regulation of basic biological
needs
– Limbic system – A loosely connected network of structures
roughly located along the border between the cerebral cortex
and deeper subcortical areas
(Cengage, 2019)
Limbic System
Structures within FOREBRAIN that are part of LIMBIC
SYSTEM (System closely linked to emotional response):
▪ Thalamus: Relays sensory information (except smell) on way
to cortex; “switchboard” plus integrating information
▪ Hypothalamus: Regulates emotional behaviors and basic
drives (see “The Four F’s” in text); also controls autonomic
nervous system and hormone release
▪ Amygdala: Associated with learning fear responses
processing basic emotional responses
▪ Hippocampus: Associated with storing memories
(Adapted from Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011)
Examples of Brain Malfunctions
• Aphasia: Speech disturbance resulting from brain damage
• Broca’s Area: Related to language and speech production.
– If damaged, person knows what s/he wants to say but can’t
say the words
• Wernicke’s Area: Related to language comprehension.
– If damaged, person has problems with meanings of words,
NOT pronunciation
(Adapted from Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011)
Figure 3.16 Language processing in the brain
See Fig. 3.16
on p. 89
The Plasticity of the Brain
• Research has shown that:
– Aspects of experience can sculpt features of brain
structure.
– Damage to incoming sensory pathways or the
destruction of brain tissue can lead to neural
reorganization.
– The adult brain can generate new neurons.
• Neurogenesis – The formation of new neurons
(Cengage, 2019)
( adapted from Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)
Glands that pour chemicals (hormones) directly into
bloodstream or lymph system
Example:
Pituitary Gland – “Master Gland”:
Regulates growth via growth hormone
Too little means person will be smaller than average
Too much leads to GIGANTISM – excessive body growth
due to too much growth hormone released late in growth period
Endocrine System
Hormones – chemical messengers in the bloodstream
Sex hormonesGonads
Sugar metabolismPancreas
Salt and carbohydrate metabolismAdrenal
Metabolic rateThyroid
FunctionGland
Endocrine System: Other Glands & Hormones
( adapted from Thomson Higher Education, 2007, 2001)
(Cengage, 2019)
Taking Tests
in
Intro Psych
Taking Tests in Intro Psych
✓ Study! (Don't just read the text)
✓ Don't rush through multiple-choice items; read question
& all responses carefully - you will have time.
✓ Eliminate responses that are silly or obviously incorrect.
✓ Look for words in answers like "always“, verb tenses
that do not agree, or other grammar clues.
✓ Do not try to read too much into a question or response
✓ If part of a response is a term or idea that you've
never heard of, there may be a reason…
✓ Relax.
✓ No cheating, etc.
Taking Tests in Intro Psych