Introduction to Unit 2: Parts of the Brain

October 3 & 6

Today

We will reflect on our use of the growth mindset as the school year has progressed, and

we will learn about how the human brain is connected to human behavior, and why it is

studied in Psychology.

Growth Mindset

Putting a lot of effort into learning and working hard is key

“The harder I have to work at something, the more effort I put into something, the better I’ll be at it”

Remember to…

• Focus on effort, struggle, persistence despite setbacks

• Choose difficult tasks• Focus on Strategies• Reflect on different strategies that work and don’t

work• Focus on Learning and improving• Seek challenges• Work hard

Demonstration

Shout it out What do you see?

SAME THING…ROUND 2

Optical Illusion!

Our brain can get confused sometimes

Bonus: What part of the brain controls our vision?

Occipital lobe

The Brain

The brain controls everything about us, and is connected to human behavior, from our reflex actions and movements to our thoughts and emotions.

80 BILLION NEURONS!

The Brain

• The brain has been split into separate areas for studying.

• The outer layer is known as the cortex, a deeply folded surface that covers four ‘lobes’ or sections (frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital). See figure 1.

Parts of the Brain – Interactive Feature

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/brain-article/

What does this have to do with Psychology?

Psychologists are interested in how the different areas of the brain and their functions might

affect our behaviour.

Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650)

• Human beings are made up of 2 parts: - ‘body’ - ‘mind’

He assumed that the ‘mind’ could influence the ‘body’ via the pineal gland.

Think of a time when your mind has affected your body.

OR IS IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND?

Can our bodies influence our minds?

Localization

The idea that specific areas of the brain are related to specific functions

EX: The hippocampus creates memories. If it is damaged, memory will not function properly.

Broca’s Area

A small area of the left brain is responsible for the production of speech.

Damaging this area means that the person can understand language, but they cannot speak it.

Broca’s Area: Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gocIUW3E-go

Analysis

What happens when Broca’s area is damaged?

How does Broca’s area relate to the idea of localization?

Hypothalamus

Links the nervous system to the hormonal system.

Regulates the four Fs of life: Fighting, Fleeing, Feeding, and …..Mating.

Color your hypothalamuses

GREEN

Hippocampus

Located in the temporal lobe and is involved in long-term memory and learning

Regulates the four Fs of life: Fighting, Fleeing, Feeding, and …..Mating.

Color the frontal lobe

RED

Parts of the Brain – Interactive Feature

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/brain-article/

Temporal Lobe

Color the temporal lobe

BLUE

Associated with auditory perception, long-term memory and emotional responses

(hippocampus is located here)

Occipital Lobe

Color the occipital lobe

YELLOW

Processes visual information

Frontal Lobe

Color the frontal lobe

PURPLEEmotional control center and home of the

personality (problem-solving, decision-making, and self-control)

Case Study – Phineas Gage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrULrWRlGBA

Parietal Lobe

Color the parietal lobe

ORANGE

Processes sensation and perception (touch, taste, smell, consciousness)

Cerebellum (“little brain”)

Color the cerebellum

GREEN

Controls motor movement, coordination, and balance.

Group Practice (in journals)• For each maladaptive behavior or symptom below, identify the

part of the brain that may be damaged or not functioning properly.

1. After the bad motorcycle accident, Brandon was no longer able to create new memories. 2. Sally’s eyes work properly, but her brain is unable to process visual information, so she is legally blind. 3. Chris is deaf because his brain cannot process auditory information.4. Scott doesn’t ever feel hungry. 5. When faced with extreme danger, Cathy does not feel afraid, or try to run

BellringerFor each part of the brain:1. Name where it is localized (what part of the

brain is it in? 2. What the result on behavior will be if it is

damaged.HypothalamusTemporal LobeOccipital LobeParietal LobeCerebellum