The below information is produced using the demo slides from class.
Resources
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Slide Summary
Here is a list of topics covered in the provided sources, along with a summary of each topic:
- Disordered Mind and Brain This source defines and explores various brain disorders and diseases, their causes, and affected cognitive areas. It covers Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and Trauma-Based Injuries (TBI).
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ASD is a developmental disorder affecting communication, behavior, and social interaction, with a likely cause being epigenetics. It involves hyperconnectivity or abundant neuronal synapses, which can result in both advantages and risks.
- Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease is mainly genetic and progresses with age, leading to brain atrophy. It is characterised by the death of neurons, memory loss, and loss of motor functions.
- Trauma-Based Injuries This includes concussions, anoxic brain injuries (lack of oxygen to the brain), and penetrating injuries. Repeated concussions can lead to chronic trauma encephalopathy (CTE), and anoxic brain injuries can result from blood blockage or low oxygen levels.
- Phantom Limb The source also touches on phantom limb phenomenon and mirror therapy as a treatment.
- The Brain’s Dark Corners: Control and Impulses This source discusses cognitive control, how it can be compromised, and the different systems involved, including the habit system, mind-wandering system, and reward system. It also addresses the role of the amygdala and emotional situations in losing control.
- Cognitive Control Cognitive control involves regulating thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, particularly when facing temptations or challenges. The prefrontal cortex is the brain’s control center for rational thinking and decision-making.
- Losing Control Control can be compromised when attention, working memory, or goal management are affected. The source also mentions intrusive thoughts related to the mind-wandering system.
- Reward System The reward system involves dopamine release and is divided into wanting (craving/motivation) and liking (pleasure after fulfilling a craving).
- Amygdala The amygdala acts as the brain’s alarm system, processing emotions and triggering the fight/flight response. Strong emotions can cause the amygdala to hijack the prefrontal cortex, leading to a loss of control.
- The Brain’s Dark Corners: Morality and Judgement This source defines morality and judgment and explores the neuroscience of morality, particularly in criminal minds. It differentiates between psychopaths and sociopaths, discussing the roles of nature and nurture.
- Morality and Judgment Morality involves principles concerning right and wrong behavior, while judgment is the cognitive process of forming an opinion or decision.
- Psychopathy vs. Sociopathy Psychopathy is linked to neurological causes and genetics, whereas sociopathy is associated with environmental factors and childhood trauma. Psychopaths exhibit impaired amygdala and vmPFC function but intact DLPFC, while sociopaths have more general impairments in the amygdala and PFC.
- Impaired Punishment Learning The source also brings up impaired punishment learning as a key deficit in psychopathy.
- Language and Communication This source explores language evolution theories, the brain/language connection, communication barriers (disorders), language effects, and examples such as the rapping abilities of Eminem.
- Language Evolution The source disputes the theory that language evolved due to intelligence and brain size increase. It posits the FOXP2 gene developed language, not intelligence.
- Double Dissociation The source gives William’s Syndrome and Dyslexia as examples of how language and intelligence can be independently affected.
- Language Areas in the Brain Language is mainly located in the left hemisphere, involving Broca’s area (speech production) and Wernicke’s area (auditory processing). Damage to these areas can result in aphasia.
- Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis The structure of a language affects its speakers’ cognition and worldview. Examples provided are the Himba tribe and Pirahã.
- Bilingual Advantage Knowing multiple languages enhances memory, control, and decision-making.
- Cognitive Development This source discusses the nature vs. nurture debate, brain development stages, synaptic formation and pruning, and Piaget’s child developmental stages.
- Nature vs. Nurture Development is influenced by both genetics (nature) and the environment (nurture), with epigenetics mediating their interaction.
- Synaptic Formation and Pruning Synaptic pruning is essential for retaining important connections and making space for processes necessary for survival and personality.
- Piaget’s Child Developmental Stages The source outlines the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages.
- Final Stage of Brain Development The prefrontal cortex is the last part of the brain to develop, around age 25, because it is responsible for complex cognitive functions.