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Biopsychology (Neurons: Cells that transmit nerve impulses around the…
Biopsychology
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The endocrine system is a messaging system made up of a series of glands that release hormones via the bodily fluids
There are a number of specialist glands which release specific chemicals that have a particular behavioural effect, such as the thyroid gland releases thyroxine which increases heart rate
The pituitary gland is known as "the master gland" and is attached to the hypothalamus. It is known as this because it controls and regulates all the other glands. To activate it, the hypothalamus signals to it to stimulate or inhibit hormone production, and the pituitary's hormones instruct other glands to increase or decrease the production of their hormones
The anterior pituitary releases important hormones such as the growth hormone and ACTH which stimulates the production of cortisol
The posterior pituitary releases the fluid balance hormone ADH, which is important for the glands being able to circulate their hormones
Oxytocin: Psychologists are particularly interested in this hormone, which is released from the posterior pituitary and is secreted during pleasurable activities. It is especially important for females because it causes contractions during labour and stimulates breast milk
The fight or flight response: This is generated from the sympathetic nervous system and is an innate reaction to threat or stress to optimise bodily functioning and reaction times
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Biological rhythms
Circadian: Biological rhythms that last approximately 24 hours, such as the sleep/wake cycle. These cycles are influenced by zeitgebers and pacemakers
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The nervous system
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The peripheral nervous system extends beyond the CNS and is essentially a messaging system for the limbs and torso
The somatic nervous system transmits information from the senses to the brain and directs muscles, meaning it controls voluntary movement. Also connects the brain to the motor neurons in the muscles
The autonomic nervous system helps transmit and receive information from the bodily organs and is an internal system that regulates the organs and involuntary responses, such as heartbeat. It also controls skeletal muscles
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These two systems are antagonistic, meaning they cannot work in the same area of the body at the same time # #
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Split brain surgery
Split-brain patients: Individuals with severe epilepsy can be given a corpus callostomy which involves severing the corpus callosum to prevent seizures spreading to both sides of the brain. It also prevents the two brain hemispheres from communicating
Sperry studied split-brain patients and found that directly after the surgery individuals felt like two brains in one body but after a few weeks the left hemisphere became dominant again
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