PSY-102 Brain Project PDF

Preview

Summary

I had these two projects and did well on them both. I thought I could help other people with examples if they have similar assignments. Good Luck!!...

Description

Hailey Pearson PSY-102 Andrea Hogan 01-24-2021 Mini Brain Project: Amygdala Part 1: Using your research thoroughly answer the questions below: 1. Where is the structure located? There is one amygdala found deep within each temporal lobe of the brain, just in front of the hippocampus. Included with the amygdala are the amygdalae, which are a part of the limbic system; the limbic system is located just beneath the cerebrum on both sides of the thalamus. Amygdala comes from the Greek word “almond”, which is fitting due to the fact that the shape of the amygdala is similar to an almond. 2. What are its major functions? Each amygdala is a small, almond-shaped group of neurons that are responsible for numerous emotional responses. Most closely associated with fear, they are the reason most humans fear events they cannot control; with this comes the “fight or flight” response. Other functions of the amygdala include long-term memory, motivation, and behavior. 3. What techniques are used to view or measure it? An fMRI, functional magnetic resonance imaging, is a device that allows researchers to view live images of the brain without harming an individual. Through the use of this, scientists have discovered that the amygdalae become increasingly active during times when an individual presents a fearful facial expression. 4. What happens when it is damaged?

Studies show that humans with damaged amygdalae have difficulty processing or feeling several emotions. In many cases, individuals have a difficult time recognizing and interpreting the facial expressions of other people. They also tend to have issued understanding or empathizing others’ emotions. Another result of a damaged amygdalae are possible mental illnesses. Additionally, it is suspected that malformed, enlarged, or hyper-functioning amygdala may be the cause of numerous anxiety-related disorders including OCD, BPD,and SAD. 5. What other structures is it near? The amygdala makes reciprocal connections with many brain regions including the thalamus, hypothalamus, septal nuclei, orbital frontal cortex, cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and brain stem. Physically, the closest structures to the amygdala are the entorhinal cortex(memory), hippocampus(memory), and the hypothalamus. 6. What other structures help or perform similar functions? The hippocampus performs similar functions and helps out the amygdala. Lumen learning tells us that “the hippocampus plays a key role in the formation of emotion-laden, long-term memories based on emotional input from the amygdala” (Lumen, 2017). The other structures that assist with the emotions, the sense of potential harm, and even anxiety attacks that occur are from the sensory of thalamus, hippocampus and various sensory cortices.

References: Biscontini, T. (2020). Amygdala. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Boundless. Boundless Psychology. Lumen. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/structure-and-functionof-the-brain/

Swenson, R. (2006). Chapter 9 - Limbic System. Chapter 9: Limbic System. https://www.dartmouth.edu/~rswenson/NeuroSci/chapter_9.html#chapter_9_amygdala. Part 2: Once you have answered the questions above, please select an activity below and complete it. •

Make a model of the brain emphasizing your structure using food or common – everyday – household items.

• Create a mnemonic device that will help classmates remember the most important information about your structure. • Design a T-shirt with an illustration of structure and function. • Compose a motto/bumper sticker your structure might adopt (include a logo to accompany the motto). • Create a cartoon featuring your structure.

Insert Picture: A picture of the product created must be inserted below. The student must be included in the picture holding the final product or credit will not be awarded (Only instructor will be able to see the picture added....