Introduction to

Psychology,
16 Edition
th

Chapter 2: Brain and Behavior

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 1
 Icebreaker: Pair-Share

The class will be broken up into small groups of students.

1. Do you know someone who has had a concussion? More than one?
2. What are the long-term ramifications of repeated concussions and other brain
injuries?
3. Do you feel the opportunity to play a professional sport is worth the chance of
sustaining such an injury? Why or why not?

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 Chapter Objectives (1 of 3)

By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

2.1.1 Outline the major divisions of the nervous system.
2.1.2 Identify the important parts of a neuron.
2.1.3 Describe how neurons operate and communicate with each other.
2.1.4 Distinguish between neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.
2.2.1 Identify three methods that scientists use to understand the structures of
the brain.

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 3
 Chapter Objectives (2 of 3)

By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

2.2.2 Identify four methods that scientists use to understand the function of
brain structures.
2.3.1 Explain how the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex differ as
a result of lateralization.
2.3.2 Name the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and describe their function.
2.4.1 Name the three major regions of the subcortex, and the parts that make
up each one.

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 4
 Chapter Objectives (3 of 3)

By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

2.4.2 Explain how the endocrine system works, and describe the action of four
endocrine glands.

2.5.1 Define self-regulation, and explain how it can help you in your personal
and professional life.
2.5.2 Create a plan to improve your self-regulation skills in an area that is
important to you.

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 Unit 1
The Nervous System

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 6
 The Nervous System—An Overview

Two main branches:

• The central nervous system
consists of the brain, which contains
the majority of your neurons, and
the spinal cord, which transmits
information.
• The peripheral nervous system is
composed of the nerves connecting
the body to the central nervous
system.

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 The Central Nervous System

Includes brain, which contains most of the neurons, and the spinal cord
Spinal cord: Large column of spinal nerves that transmit information between
brain and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
• PNS includes all parts of the nervous system beyond brain and spinal cord
• Neuron: A single cell in the nervous system
• Nerves: Large bundle of many neuron fibers (axons)
• Cranial nerves: Connect PNS to brain without going through spinal column

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 The Peripheral Nervous System (1 of 2)

All elements of the nervous system outside the central nervous system
Somatic nervous system (SNS): Links spinal cord with body and sense organs;
controls sensory and voluntary motor pathways
Autonomic nervous system (ANS): Neurons that carry information to and from
internal organs and glands
• Sympathetic nervous system
• Parasympathetic nervous system
• Involuntary in nature

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The Peripheral Nervous System (2 of 2)

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Neurons: The Building Blocks of the Nervous
System
Neurons have four basic parts:

1. Dendrites: Neuron fibers that receive messages

2. Cell body (soma): Receives information from dendrites
3. Axon: Fiber that carries information from cell body of a neuron
4. Axon terminals: Located at ends of axons to form synapses with the
dendrites and cell bodies of other neurons

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How Neurons Work: Action Potentials (1 of 2)

Electrically charged molecules (ions)

found in and outside of each neuron
• Some have positive charge, others
negative
• When neuron is inactive, more
positive charges exist outside the
neuron and more negative charges
exist inside

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How Neurons Work: Action Potentials (2 of 2)

Myelin sheath: Insulating material that coats some axons to help neurons move
rapidly down the axon
Ion channel: Functions like tiny gate in the axon membrane

• Resting potential
• Threshold
• Action potential

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 The Action Potential

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 The Interior of an Axon

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 Neurotransmitters

Can change likelihood of action potential by exciting or inhibiting neurons

Variations in function may be related to temperament differences in infancy and
personality differences in adulthood.
Neuropeptides: Regulate activity of other neurons
• Affect memory pain, emotion, and other basic processes
• Enkephalins: Neural regulators that relieve pain and stress
• Endorphins: Released by pituitary gland to reduce pain

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 Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis

Neuroplasticity: Capacity of nervous system to change in response to

experience
Neurogenesis: Production of new brain cells
• New cells link up with other cells
• Involved in learning, memory, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances

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 Knowledge Check Activity 1
Match the neurotransmitter to its function in the brain
Neurotransmitter Function in the Brain

Acetylcholine Participates in mood, arousal, and vigilance

Dopamine Participates in movement, autonomic function,

learning and memory

GABA Major inhibitory effect in the CNS, moods

Glutamate Excitatory effect in the CNS, participates in

learning and memory

Norepinephrine Participates in motivation, reward, planning of

behavior

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 18
 Knowledge Check Activity 1: Answer
Match the neurotransmitter to its function in the brain
Neurotransmitter Function in the Brain
Acetylcholine Participates in movement, autonomic function,
learning and memory

Dopamine Participates in motivation, reward, planning of

behavior

GABA Major inhibitory effect in the CNS, moods

Glutamate Excitatory effect in the CNS, participates in
learning and memory

Norepinephrine Participates in mood, arousal, and vigilance

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 Unit 2
Brain Research

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 Exploring Brain Structure
• Computed tomography (CT) scans: Computer enhanced X-ray image
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Three-dimensional images are
produced

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 Exploring Brain Function (1 of 2)

Localization of function: Linking psychological or behavioral capacities with

particular brain structures
Surgical techniques
• Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB)
• Ablation
• Deep lesioning

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 Exploring Brain Function (2 of 2)

Electroencephalography (EEG): Measure

waves of electrical activity near surface of
brain
Positron emission tomography (PET):
Uses radioactive particles to capture brain
activity
Functional MRI (fMRI): Shows whether a
person is lying

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 Knowledge Check Activity 2

Janelle’s doctor wants to study the changes in Janelle’s brain while she is asleep
and compare it to other states. Which type of process might her doctor use?

a. EEG
b. PET scan
c. fMRI
d. Deep lesioning

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 Knowledge Check Activity 2: Answer

Janelle’s doctor wants to study the changes in Janelle’s brain while she is asleep
and compare it to other states. Which type of process might her doctor use?

a. EEG

Electrical impulses from the brain are detected and sent to an

electroencephalograph (EEG), which amplifies and records these weak signals.
Various brain-wave patterns can identify the presence of tumors, epilepsy, and
other diseases. The EEG also reveals changes in brain activity during sleep,
daydreaming, hypnosis, and other mental states.

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 Unit 3
The Cerebral Cortex

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 The Cerebral Hemispheres

• Cerebral cortex is composed of two

hemispheres
• Cerebral hemispheres connected by thick
axon fibers called corpus callosum
• Lateralization: Specialization in abilities of
the left and right hemisphere

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 Hemispheric Lateralization (1 of 2)

Lateralization: One hemisphere controls

physical movement of the opposite side of
the body.
Left hemisphere (analysis): About 95
percent use for language, math, judging
time and rhythm, order of small complex
movements
Right hemisphere (world view): Big picture,
perceptual skills

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 Hemispheric Lateralization (2 of 2)

Split-brain operation
• Some tasks make more use
of one hemisphere or the
other.
• For most real-world
activities, the hemispheres
share the work.

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 Hemispheric Dominance

• Creates handedness (left- or right-hand preference)

• 70 percent of left-handers process speech in same manner as right-handers
• Mixed dominance is common
• People also have mixed preference for using left or right feet, eyes, and ears

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 Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex

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 The Frontal Lobes (1 of 2)

Associated with movement, sense of self, and higher mental functions

Prefrontal cortex: Responsible for the executive function; higher-level mental
processes that allow for regulation and coordination of thought processes
Association areas: Combine and process information
• Damage may result in aphasia, including to Broca’s area, which causes
motor, or expressive aphasia. Broca’s area relates to grammar and
pronunciation.

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 The Frontal Lobes (2 of 2)

• Primary motor area:

Directs body’s muscles,
controls movement
• Mirror neurons: Active
when we perform an
action and when
observing others doing
same action

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 The Parietal Lobes

Parietal Lobes Temporal Lobes Occipital Lobes

• Register body • Auditory information • Primary visual

sensations sent directly to cortex
• Sensations flow into primary auditory • Visual agnosia
primary somatosensory area
• Facial agnosia
area • Wernicke's area
functions as a
language site

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 Knowledge Check Activity 3

Which part of the brain is responsible for controlling the dexterity of our hands,
such as our ability to hold a pencil or play a musical instrument?

a. Frontal lobe
b. Parietal lobe
c. Temporal lobe
d. Occipital lobe

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 35
 Knowledge Check Activity 3: Answer

Which part of the brain is responsible for controlling the dexterity of our hands,
such as our ability to hold a pencil or play a musical instrument?

a. Frontal lobe

Specifically, the primary motor area directs the body’s muscles. This directs the
dexterity of the body areas, not muscle size. For example, more of the motor
cortex is devoted to the hands.

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 Unit 4
The Subcortex and Endocrine System

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 37
 The Subcortex—An Overview

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 The Hindbrain

Most primitive part of the brain

• Medulla: Connects brain with spinal cord and controls vital life functions
• Pons: Bridge between medulla and other areas of the brain
• Reticular formation: Collection of cells and fibers in the medulla and pons
• Cerebellum: Near base of the brain; regulates posture, muscle tone, and
muscular coordination

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 39
 The Midbrain

Connects the hindbrain with the forebrain

With the hindbrain, makes up the brainstem: The thickening of the spinal cord
where it joins the brain
• Virtually all communication between cerebral cortex and the rest of the body
passes through the brainstem

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 The Forebrain (1 of 2)

• Includes several brain structures

that regulate higher-order mental
processes
• Thalamus: Relay for sensory
information, except smell
• Hypothalamus: Regulates
emotional behaviors and biological
needs; where behaviors are
organized and “decided on” before
leaving the brain

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 The Forebrain (2 of 2)

Limbic system: Controls emotions and memory

• Made up of hypothalamus, parts of the thalamus, the amygdala,
hippocampus. and other subcortical structures
• Amygdala: Associated with emotional processing, strongly related to fear
and memory of fearful experiences
• Hippocampus: Important for storing memories and navigating the space
around us

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 The Endocrine System (1 of 3)

• It is made up of glands that secrete

hormones directly into the bloodstream
or lymphatic system.
• Hormones affect internal activities and
visible behaviors such as puberty and
personality.

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 43
 The Endocrine System (2 of 3)

Pituitary gland: Master gland; influences other endocrine glands

• Regulates body processes such as metabolism, stress responses, and
reproduction
• Regulates growth by releasing growth hormone

Pineal gland: Releases melatonin in response to variations in light

Thyroid gland: Regulates metabolism

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 The Endocrine System (3 of 3)

Adrenal glands
• Adrenal medulla: Source of epinephrine and norepinephrine
• Epinephrine (adrenaline): Associates with fear and arouses the body
• Norepinephrine (noradrenaline): Functions as a neurotransmitter in the
brain, linked with anger
• Together prepares body for “fight or flight”
Anabolic steroids: Supplied in small amounts by adrenal glands

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 Knowledge Check Activity 4

As a young child, James was bitten by a dog. Although he does not have clear
memories of the event, as an adult, he is still afraid of dogs. Which part of the
brain is responsible for James’s fear of dogs?

a. The medulla
b. The amygdala
c. Pituitary glands
d. Hormones

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 46
 Knowledge Check Activity 4: Answer

As a young child, James was bitten by a dog. Although he does not have clear
memories of the event, as an adult, he is still afraid of dogs. Which part of the
brain is responsible for James’s fear of dogs?

b. The amygdala

In humans, a clear link to emotion remains in the limbic system. The amygdala,
in particular, is associated with emotional processing and is strongly related to
fear and the memory of fearful experiences.

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 Unit 5
Psychology and Your Skill Set: Self-regulation

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 48
 The Exeuctive Living in Your Frontal Lobes

Self-regulation: The ability to resist temptation

Executive functions allow us to:
• Set goals
• Make plans
• Control attention and emotions
• Monitor progress

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 From Marshmallows to Retirement Funds

Self-regulation now can have consequences for later:

• Goal setting
• Managing impulses
Recent study suggests correlation between self-regulation and high school
achievement may be due to a third factor: poverty

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 50
 Improving Your Self-regulation Skills

Hot emotional system: Associated with the limbic system and pushes you into
temptation
Cool cognitive system: Allows you to consider the potential long-term
consequences of your actions
Selective attention: Focus on things that are removed from the temptation
Cognitive reappraisal: Reframe situations in ways that are likely to help you stay
in control

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 51
 Discussion Activity: Pair-Share

Move into groups of three or four and consider the following:

There is much debate about the cost of college compared to the value of college.
1. Can you apply the Marshmallow Test to college education? Why or why not?
2. How do you control your hot emotional system?
3. What are the potential long-term consequences of attending college? Not
attending or finishing college?

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 Self-Assessment

Can you identify the parts of the nervous system and their function?
Discuss the three methods that scientists use to understand the structures of the
brain.
Name the four lobes of the cerebral cortex, and describe their functions.
Can you identify the parts of the cerebral cortex and how they work?
Define self-regulation and how you can use this knowledge for personal goal
setting.

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or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 53
 Summary (1 of 3)

Now that the lesson has ended, you should have learned how to:
• Outline the major divisions of the nervous system.
• Identify the important parts of a neuron.
• Describe how neurons operate and communicate with each other.
• Distinguish between neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.
• Identify three methods that scientists use to understand the structures of the
brain.

Coon, Introduction to Psychology, 16th Edition. © 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated,
or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 54
 Summary (2 of 3)

Now that the lesson has ended, you should have learned how to:
• Identify four methods that scientists use to understand the function of brain
structures.
• Explain how the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex differ as a
result of lateralization.
• Name the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and describe their function.
• Name the three major regions of the subcortex, and the parts that make up
each one.

Coon, Introduction to Psychology, 16th Edition. © 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated,
or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 55
 Summary (3 of 3)

Now that the lesson has ended, you should have learned how to:
• Explain how the endocrine system works, and describe the action of four
endocrine glands.
• Define self-regulation, and explain how it can help you in your personal and
professional life.
• Create a plan to improve your self-regulation skills in an area that is important to
you.

Coon, Introduction to Psychology, 16th Edition. © 2022 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated,
or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 56