Definitions/Concepts (1-7) & Questions (1-4) – Tyler Orner

Neural Communication: There are many different types of neuron, but all consist of a dendrite fiber which receives the information and the axon fibers which pass the information on to the other neurons, muscles, or glands. The axons are insulated by the myelin sheath in order to help the speed of their impulses. When a neuron receives a signal from stimulated sense receivers, the neuron fires an impulse. The impulse, or action potential, is an electrical charge that travels down the axon. The axon terminal of one neuron is separated from the receiving neuron by less than one-millionth of an inch. When the action potential reaches the terminal of the axon, it releases neurotransmitters. They cross the gap, connect to the receiving neuron, allows the ions to flow into the receiving neuron.
The impact of Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters influence our motions and emotions. Acetylcholine is one of the most understood neurotransmitters, which plays a key role in learning and memory. When Ach is released is released, it causes the muscle to contract, so if this is blocked, the muscle is unable to contract. Endorphins are released in response to pain and vigorous exercise. This helps to explain things like “runner’s high”, painkilling effects of acupuncture, and the indifference to pain in severely injured people.
Impact of drugs/chemicals on neural communication: When the brain is flooded with opiate drugs, like heroin and morphine, it stops producing its own natural opiates. Therefore, when the drug is withdrawn, the brain may be deprived of any form of opiate and agony may insist. Other drugs affect communication by either exciting (agonist) or inhibiting (antagonist) neuron’s firing.
Nervous System (parts, functions, impact): Our body’s primary information system is formed by neurons communicating with other neurons. Information travels in this system through three neurons. The sensory neurons send information from the body’s tissues and sensory organs inward to the brain and spinal cord. Then, the interneurons process the information and enable the central nervous system’s internal communication. Then, using the motor neurons, the central nervous system sends instructions out to the body’s tissues. The nervous system is the main communication system of the human body and like the brain and the body’s actions.
Peripheral Nervous System (parts, functions, impact): The peripheral nervous system has two main parts, somatic and autonomic. The somatic nervous system controls the movements of our skeletal muscles. The autonomic nervous system controls the glands and the muscles of our internal organs, like the heartbeat, digestion, and glandular activity. The first part of the dual autonomic nervous system is the sympathetic nervous system which arouses us for defensive action. The second part is the parasympathetic nervous system which is the opposite of the sympathetic nervous system, calms the body and conserves energy. The Peripheral Nervous System impacts our day to day routine in ways that we are unaware of because it controls the movements of our muscles, glands, and internal organs.
The central nervous system (parts, functions, impact): The central nervous system impacts how we think, feel, and act. The spinal cord is the information highway that connects the peripheral nervous system to the brain. Ascending neural tracts send up sensory information, and descending tracts send back motor-control information. Information travels to and from the brain to the brain due to the spinal cord. The brain receives information, interprets it, and decides responses.
Endocrine System: The Endocrine system is interconnected with the nervous system and is the body’s second communication system. Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted by the endocrine system’s glands. Hormones originate in one tissue, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues such as the brain and influence our interests. These hormones affect our growth, reproduction, metabolism, and mood. In a time of danger or emergency, adrenal glands release adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar. The most influential gland, the pituitary gland releases hormones that influence growth.
How does neuroscience help or hinder the credibility of psychology as a science?
Neuroscience helps the credibility of psychology as a science. It is the study of how the body and brain enable emotions, memories, and sensory experiences. Psychology is rooted in philosophy and biology. Neuroscience contains a good amount of biology in its study of the brain, neurons, and neurotransmitters. Various transmitters enable muscle action (Ach), influences, movement, learning, attention, and emotion (dopamine), and affects mood, hunger sleep, and arousal (serotonin). All these are part of the biological field of study and since we can draw conclusions of why people act they way they do based on some of the neurotransmitters; it brings credibility to psychology as a science.
How do the brain and body work together to explain how humans think, feel, and act?
Neuroscience, or the study of how the brain and the body work together, explains how humans think, feel, and act. The central nervous center is at the heart of this discussion. The spinal cord sends sensory information that it receives to the brain which then interprets the information. Once the brain does this, it sends a reaction. The way the brain interprets information it receives from the spinal cord, and therefore the body indirectly, is the reason why humans think, feel, and act the way they do.
What is the difference between cognitive psychology and neuroscience?
Cognitive psychology is the study of how we encode, process, store, and retrieve information. This perspective of psychology is only concerned with the study of the brain. This is the main difference between cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Neuroscience focuses on how the brain and the body interact. More specifically, neuroscience is the study of how the brain and the body enable emotions, memories, and sensory experiences.
How do gender roles play a role in how we study human beings and how they think?
Men and women have different roles in all different cultures and societies; therefore we can not make any gender conclusions when it comes to psychology. In other words, generalizations about men and women can not be concluded because of the differences in roles they play. Men and women are also known for different usual behaviors so studying humans and how they think is a little more difficult and complicated.