Personal Psychology 1: The Road to Self-Discovery
Unit 3: The Biology of Behavior
Class 1: Lesson 1
Unit Objectives
After studying this unit, you will be able to:
absolute threshold
a minimum amount of stimulus that must be present for detection to occur
action potential
a quick electrical charge sent down the axon of the neuron
bottom-up processing
when sensations reach sensory receptors and then travel to the brain for processing
central nervous system (cns)
the brain and spinal cord, responsible for gathering and responding to information
genetic transmission
the study of how genes are passed from one generation to the next
hormones
chemical messengers created in endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream
neurons
nerve cells that make up the nervous system and communicate to transfer information from the brain throughout the body
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that communicate between neurons or between a neuron and a muscle
peripheral nervous system (pns)
branches out all over the body and serves as a communication system between brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body
perceptual set
assumptions and interpretations that influence the processing of sensations
reuptake
when neurotransmitters unable to find a receptor site either disperse, break down, or are reabsorbed
sympathetic nervous system
mobilizes the body
synapse
the point of connection between the tip of the axon or the synaptic terminal (which sends information) and the dendrite of another neuron (which receives information)
threshold
a specific level of stimulation that must be generated for a neural impulse or message to be sent
top-down processing
when expectations or experiences are used to create perception
The Brain
Lesson 1
Right-brained?
Let’s Take a Poll!
Left-brained?
Neurons and Synapses
Nucleus and cell body
Neuron
Dendrite
Axon
Myelin sheath
Glial cells
Synapse
Regions of the Brain
Region | Function |
Frontal Lobe | |
Parietal Lobe | |
Temporal Lobe | |
Occipital Lobe | |
Cerebellum | |
Brain Stem | |
Class 2: Lesson 2
Advances in Neuroscience
Lesson 2
Why did Phineas Gage’s personality change?
What part of his brain was damaged?
Conversation Starter
Unscramble the Advancements in Neuroscience!
fMRI gives us better brain imaging
PET scan invented to give us images of brain activity
Broca’s area (brain area responsible for speech) is discovered
Isidor Rabi invents the MRI
Hans Berger invents the EEG, which measures electrical activity in the brain
“Anatomy of the Brain” by Thomas Willis uses “neurology” for the first time
Is it Ethical?
Should scientists be able to clone humans one day?
Cloning
Is it okay to clone body parts to use in cases of disease or trauma?
Should scientists and doctors be able to implant devices that control individuals?
Mind Control
Should parents be able to order “designer babies” with their child’s DNA chosen according to the traits they desire their children to have?
Designer Babies
Class 3: Lesson 3
The Nervous and Endocrine Systems
Lesson 3
Parts of the Nervous System
Brain
Central nervous system (CNS)
Spinal cord
Sensory neurons
Neurons
Somatic nervous system (SNS)
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
Motor neurons
Interneurons
What does neuroplasticity mean for humans?
Parts of the Endocrine System
Pituitary gland
Hypothalamus
Parathyroids
Thyroid gland
Adrenal glands
Pancreas
Reproductive glands
Class 4: Lessons 4 and 5
Genetics, Heredity, and the Environment
Lesson 4
Genetic transmission
the study of how genes are passed from one generation to the next
Genetics Jumble!
Widow’s peak
Hair:
Straight hairline
Attached
Earlobes:
Detached
Yes
Dimples:
No
Right
Handedness:
Left
3-2-1
3 Things I Know
1
2 Things I Want to Know
2
1 Question
3
Sensation and Perception
Lesson 5
Perceptual set
assumptions and interpretations that influence the processing of sensations
Where have you encountered limited perception in your life?
Conversation Starter
Class 5: Lesson 6
Consciousness
Lesson 6
How many hours of sleep did you get last night?
Let’s Take a Poll!
Stages of Sleep
Light sleep
Wakefulness to sleep
Delta sleep
REM
Function of Sleep
Evolutionary/adaptive
Repair and restore
Information consolidation
Brain plasticity