Chapter Four

• Psychology


  The scientific study of human mental states and behaviour
• Brain versus heart debate
• Mind-body problem


  The complex philosophical question as to whether our mind is separate and distinguishable from our body or whether they are one integrated entity
• Dualism


  The belief that the human mind and body are separate and distinguishable from one another
• Monism


  The belief that the human mind and body are together a singular complete entity
• Phrenology


  The study of the shape and size of the human skull to determine personality and mental functioning
• Ablation


  The surgical removal, destruction, or cutting of a region of brain tissue
• Brain lesioning


  The practice of inducing and/or studying the effects of damage to an area of the brain
• Cerebral hemispheres


  The symmetrical halves of the cerebrum in the brain
• Hemispheric specialisation


  The difference in functioning between the left and right hemispheres of the brain when performing a specific behaviour or task
• Neuroimaging


  A range of techniques used to capture images of the brain’s structure, function, and activities
• Computerised tomography (CT)


  A neuroimaging technique that involves taking continuous two-dimensional x-ray images of the brain which are then stacked to create a comprehensive three-dimensional image of the brain
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)


  A neuroimaging technique that uses magnetic and radio fields to take detailed two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the brain
• Positron emission tomography (PET)


  A neuroimaging technique that uses a scanning device to take coloured images of the brain, showing its functional activity by tracing the levels of a radioactive substance in the brain
• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

  A neuroimaging technique that uses magnetic and radio fields to take two and three-dimensional images of the brain and record its activity levels
• Brain


  A complex organ contained within the skull that coordinates mental processes and behaviour, and regulates bodily activity
• Brainstem


  An extension of the spinal cord that is made up of the medulla, pons, and midbrain
• Hindbrain


  A region at the base of the brain, located around and including some of the brainstem
• Midbrain


  A region at the centre of the brain, between the hindbrain and forebrain, and is part of the brainstem
• Forebrain


  A large and prominent brain region that is located at the top and front of the brain
• Cerebral cortex


  The outer layer of the cerebrum that covers the brain
• Frontal lobe


  The largest and frontmost lobe of the cerebral cortex that is composed of motor and association areas
• Parietal lobe


  The lobe of the cerebral cortex, located behind the frontal lobe, and is composed of sensory and association areas
• Occipital lobe


  The rearmost lobe of the cerebral cortex, located behind the parietal lobe, and is composed of sensory and association areas
• Temporal lobe


  The lowest lobe of the cerebral cortex, located beneath the parietal lobe, and is composed of sensory and association areas