The Nervous System
2 main divisions of the Nervous System
Central
Peripheral
Where does a neuron receive its information?
Dendrites
- early life
- when learning new topic / skill
- when brain injury has occurred (compensation)
2 transmitters associated with Depression
Dopamine
Serotonin
Name 3 Ethics Factors in Psych
•Participant Wellbeing
•Informed Consent
•Right to Withdraw
•Confidentiality
•Deception
•Debriefing
•Voluntary Participation
Name 3 branches of the Peripheral NS
Somatic
Autonomic
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
Explain how 2 neurons communicate
Neurons communicate with each other in an electrical and chemical form which allows them to transfer information all over the brain and the body
- Pre and post synaptic response explained
Define neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to adapt to changes in an individual’s environment by forming new neural connections over time.
List 2 treatments for Anxiety/Depression
•Antidepressants- Most modern antidepressants have an effect on your brain’s chemical transmitters (serotonin and dopamine, amongst others), which relay messages between brain cells
•Cognitive Behavioural Therapy- changes thoughts and behaviours by teaching you to think rationally.
•Interpersonal therapy- considers problems with personal relationships and the skills needed to deal with these.
•Assertiveness training
•Support groups
Which ethical guidline do we 'not worry about' sometimes
Deception - this only applies to studies which use it.
List 3 or more body responses when sympathetic NS is activated
Blood removed from gut to limbs
Increased heart rate
Increased breathing rate
Relaxed bladder
Dilated pupils
Less salivation
Transmitter responsible for appetite, aggression and a widespread response (14 areas) of the brain
Serotonin
Name 2 functions of the Frontal Lobe
•includes judgement, foresight, decision making, use of strategies, regulating temperament, personality and expression emotion
Name BPS factors for Depression
•Certain personality types
•Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men
•Reduced levels of serotonin
•Access to support (psych nearby)
•Low self-esteem
•Insomnia
•Pre-existing or long term medial conditions/illnesses
•Depressive thinking styles- pessimistic
•Limited support networks
•Overuse of substances such as drugs or alcohol
•The stigma associated with mental illness
•Bullying environment
•Changes in brain chemistry
•Life events (e.g., breakup / friendship breakdown)
•Men are more vulnerable to depression after retirement
•Genetic predisposition
Situation Response
- For people with PTSD, hypervigilance and avoidance are regular. They must be given their Right to Withdraw
- Debriefing after the study and follow up
•The somatic nervous system is a network of nerves that carry sensory information to the CNS and motor information from the CNS.
•Motor information is carried along motor neural pathways to the muscles to control their activity.
List 3 body responses dopamine is associated with?
Higher dopamine levels linked to:
•Higher interest, motivation and concentration
•Ability to think and plan for the future
•Sense of fulfillment from completing rewarding work
•Higher creativity
Dopamine deficiency is linked to:
Low motivation
Depression, boredom, lack of emotion expression
Schizophrenia and psychosis
Trouble waking
Mental / physical fatigue
Craving sugar
Struggling to finish tasks
Parietal Lobe functions
•The parietal lobes receive and process bodily, or somatosensory info such as information related to temperature and touch, muscle movement and body positions.
•The parietal lobe contains the primary somatosensory cortex which receives sensory information from the skin and body parts.
•Also involved in aspects of pain – quality, location, intensity
Explain the link between chronic stress / anxiety and cortisol
Cortisol levels are normal and have a regular day to day pattern. Ongoing stress / anxiety produces higher than normal cortisol levels in humans which can have serious effects on the body. Effects can be worse memory, brain shrinkage, lower overall immunity and health.
What are 2 situations when it is appropriate to use Deception?
- when telling the participants what is happening could alter the validity of the study
- when there is no possible way to not use it
- it would make a large contribution to psychological research
•The three main functions of the human nervous system include .......
Receiving information
Processing information
Coordinating a response
Difference between sensory, inter and motor neuron
Sensory Neurons
•Receives sensory information and transmits it to the CNS
Motor Neurons
•Transmit information from the CNS to the muscles, glands and organs
•Enable muscle movement, cause glands to secrete hormones and activate internal organs
Interneurons
•Transmit information within the CNS providing neural links between sensory and motor neurons
Brainstem and Cerebellum Functions
•The brainstem connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord and coordinates motor signals sent from the brain to the body
•Relays information between peripheral nerves and spinal cord to the brain
•Controls life-supporting autonomic functions of the PNS, including arousal, breathing, blood pressure, digestion and heart rate.
•The cerebellum is responsible for coordination of smooth and fluid movement
i.e. playing the piano
Name 3 BPS Factors for Anxiety
Biological Factors
•A more active fight or flight response
•Genetic predisposition
•Changes in brain chemistry
•Women more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders than men
Psychological Factors
•Past memories and experiences
•Anxious people often have interpretation bias where they perceive information from others as negative towards themselves.
•Excessive fear, worries or obsessive thoughts
•Magnify threats or failures
•Personality styles
•Stress management strategies
Social Factors
•Traumatic events
•Environmental stressors
•Lack of support
•Cultural differences
•Lack of job security
•Avoidance of situations that make you feel anxious
Explain why conducting research in neuropsychology can be ethically challenging
Conducting research in neuropsychology can be ethically challenging because it often involves the brain, psychological disordered groups of people (already at risk) or higher risk treatments.
Example: Jodie's half brain surgery, or a study which could trigger someone with PTSD