Brain and Behaviour
The theory that certain areas of the brain are responsible for certain psychological functions
Localization of function
a chemical messenger that communicates information (such as fertility or sexual attractiveness) from one member of a species to another
Pheremone
deviations of the phenotype from the genotype occurring as a result of changes in gene expression
Epigenetic changes
a chemical messenger stored in the axon and released into the synaptic gap
Neurotransmitter
This study demonstrates that the hippocampus may change in response to environmental demands.
Maguire (2002)
The ability of the brain to change in response to environmental demands
Neuroplasticity
A hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland; it is known for its role in social interaction and sexual reproduction
Oxytocin
a set of traits that actually manifest in an individual's body, appearance or behaviour
Phenotype
a chemical that blocks or decreases the action of a neurotransmitter
Antagonist
high cortisol levels impaired performance in the memory task since the participants who received the highest level of cortisol also showed the worst performance in verbal declarative memory
Newcomer et al (1999)
a part of the limbic system, known to be implicated in emotional regulation and long-term memory
Hippocampus
A chemical messenger system of the organism; the system of glands that secrete hormones
Endocrine system
The process by which organisms change from generation to generation due to the transmission of heritable characteristics
Evolution
an imaging technique that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed, 3D images
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
when participants were injected with scopolamine, they demonstrated a significant reduction in the activation of the hippocampus compared with those who received a placebo
Antonova et al (2011)
a chemical that enhances the action of a neurotransmitter
Agonist
Disgust
the key mechanism of evolution; differential survival of individuals based on the extent to which they are adapted to the environment
Natural selection
an excitatory neurotransmitter that plays a role in memory encoding
acetylcholine
high rates of psychiatric disorders were identified in the grandchildren with two generations of major depression
Weissman et al (2005)
a class of chemicals that act by preventing reuptake of excess serotonin in the synapse, hence increasing its concentration in the synaptic gap
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
medications that inhibit the effects of stress hormones by blocking their binding to beta receptors in the sympathetic nervous system
beta-blockers
A set of traits as it is coded in an individual's DNA
Genotype
non-anatomical, unwanted signals or distortions in MRI/CT scans caused by motion, hardware issues, or tissue characteristics
Brain imaging artifacts
Participants who had received a placebo before they started playing were more likely to decrease their rate of trust after they had been briefed that their trust had been broken.
Baumgartner et al (2008)