brain and neuropsychology

• What are the 'bumps' on the surface of the brain called?

  Gyri
• What are the 'creases' on the surface of the brain called?

  Sulci
• Why does the human brain have a large surface area with gyri and sulci?

  To have more nerve cells
• How does the brain communicate with the rest of the body?

  Through the spinal cord
• Through what structure does information pass between the brain and spinal cord?

  The brainstem
• What other function does the brainstem control besides passing information?

  Reflexes
• What are the functions of the frontal lobe?

  Decision-making, impulse control, problem-solving, concentration
• Where is the motor cortex located?

  Towards the back of the frontal lobe
• What is the role of the motor cortex?

  Controls voluntary movements
• If you want to kick a ball, which part of the brain is responsible for controlling this movement?

  The motor cortex
• What are the functions of the temporal lobe?

  Hearing, speech, memory
• What cortex is contained within the temporal lobe?

  Auditory cortex
• What is the function of the auditory cortex?

  It controls hearing
• What are the functions of the parietal lobe?

  Understanding the world around us
• Which lobe is primarily responsible for the ability to recognise faces?

  Parietal lobe
• What cortex is located at the front of the parietal lobe?

  Somatosensory cortex
• What sense is the somatosensory cortex responsible for?

  Sense of touch
• What are the functions of the occipital lobe?

  Processing visual information
• Why is the occipital lobe also called the visual cortex?

  It controls visual processing
• What are the functions of the cerebellum?

  Movement, coordination, and balance
• How does the cerebellum coordinate behaviour?

  Combines information from senses and spinal cord
• Which part of the brain helps you dodge an object while running and maintain balance?

  The cerebellum
• What does lateralisation of function in the brain mean?

  Each hemisphere has different roles
• What does asymmetrical function in the brain refer to?

  Hemispheres are not exactly the same
• How do the two sides of the brain control the body?

  Each side controls the opposite side
• Which hemisphere controls the left hand?

  The right hemisphere
• What structure connects the right and left hemispheres?

  The corpus callosum
• What is the purpose of the corpus callosum?

  Allows the two sides to communicate
• What side of the head are the right and left hemispheres linked to?

  The ear on the opposite side
• Which hemisphere is responsible for the processing of language?

  The left hemisphere
• What is the name of the area in the left hemisphere that controls the production of speech?

  Broca's area
• What might happen if Broca's area is damaged?

  Difficulty talking
• What hemisphere is responsible for spatial awareness?

  The right hemisphere
• Which hemisphere is considered the more creative hemisphere?

  The right hemisphere
• What does the corpus callosum do to messages?

  Passes them between hemispheres
• Which hemisphere is responsible for the processing of music?

  The right hemisphere
• Why are sex differences in behaviour interesting to psychologists?

  They reveal influence of physical differences
• What was the early theory about female and male brain skills?

  Females better at language, males at spatial
• What did some evidence suggest about the female corpus callosum?

  Females may use both sides more
• What is the typical pattern of brain activity in males during cognitive tasks?

  Dominance for one hemisphere