Lecture: The Brain

Introduction

• The brain has become central in psychology.
• Early psychological theories lacked scientific evidence as they were based on the mind, which is subjective and not directly observable.
• Psychology has faced challenges integrating scientific methods due to its abstract subject matter.

Brain Imaging Technologies

• Recent developments in brain imaging like MRIs and fMRIs have allowed for detailed visualization of brain structures.
• These technologies enable the study of the brain at neuron-level detail.

Course Overview

• Unit on biopsychology will include a 25-question multiple-choice test.
• Focus includes different parts of the nervous system, especially their functions.

Nervous System Basics

• Neurons: Basic units of the nervous system.
• Important structures: axon, dendrites, synapse.

Evolutionary Perspective on the Brain

• Brain structure evolution from reptiles to mammals, then to humans.

Brain Structure Overview

1. Lower Brain (Reptilian Brain)

   • Basic life support (e.g., consciousness, movement).
   • Key parts: Brain stem, medulla, pons.

2. Middle Brain (Limbic System)

   • Emotional processing and memory.
   • Key parts: Thalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus.

3. Outer Brain (Cortex)

   • Higher cognitive functions.
   • Not covered in this lecture.

Detailed Brain Parts and Functions

Lower Brain

• Medulla & Pons
  • Essential for life support functions like heartbeat and breathing.
• Reticular Formation
  • Arousal and attention.
• Cerebellum
  • Regulates motor coordination and balance.
  • Involved in procedural memory and speech mechanics.

Middle Brain (Limbic System)

• Thalamus
  • Relay station for sensory information (except smell).
• Hypothalamus
  • Controls basic biological needs and autonomic functions.
• Amygdala
  • Regulates emotions like fear and anxiety.
• Hippocampus
  • Critical for learning and memory.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding the functional anatomy of the brain for psychological studies.

Next Steps

• The upcoming video will focus on the cerebral cortex.
• Review and understand the functions of brain structures for the test.