Unit 3

The Workings of Mind and Body

MatchingThe weakest amount of a stimulus that a person

can detect half the time – The gap that occurs between the axon terminals of

the sending neuron and the dendrites of the receiving neuron –

The sense that provides information about the position and movement of individual body parts –

Absolute threshold

synapse kinesthesis

Vestibular system

neurotransmitters

axon

biofeedback

hormones

hypnosis

meditation

Absolute threshold

synapse

kinesthesis

Difference threshold

Matching• The long, thin cells that constitute the structural and functional

unit of nerve tissue along which messages travel to and from the brain –

• A systematic narrowing of attention on an image, thought, bodily process, or external object with the goal of clearing one’s mind and producing relaxation –

• Three semicircle canals located in the inner ear that provide the sense of balance –

• The process of learning to control bodily states with the help of feedback from specialized machines –

biofeedback

Vestibular system

neuron

meditationmeditation

hormones

neurotransmitters

neuron

Meditation

Vestibular system

biofeedback

Matching

• The chemicals released by neurons, which determine the rate at which other neurons fire –

• An assumption or prediction about behavior or an educated guess about the relationship between two variables that is tested through scientific research-

• The smallest change in physical stimulus that can be detected between two stimuli –

• A single, threadlike structure within the neuron that extends from and carries signals away from the cell body to neighboring neurons, organs, or muscles –

• Chemical substances produced by the endocrine glands that carry messages through the body in blood and regulate specific body functions –

Neurotransmitters

hypothesis

hormones

axon

Difference threshold

synapse

Absolute threshold

Neurotransmitters

Hypothesis

Difference threshold

Axon

hormones

Completion • Controls the conscious thinking

processes –• The information-processing center

that controls the higher brain functions, such as reading and problem solving –

• Controls functions such as hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior –

• Visual receptor cells in the retina that are sensitive to light but not color –

• Visual receptors that are adapted for color vision, daytime vision, and detailed vision –

Cerebrum

Cerebral cortex

hypothalamus

rods

cones

Completion• Perceptions that misrepresent physical stimuli –

• The stimulation of sensory receptors and the transmission of sensory information to the brain –

• The ability to notice stimuli that affect only the unconscious mind –

• The ability to recognize distances and three dimensionality, develops in infancy –

illusions

sensation

Subliminal perception

Depth perception

Multiple Choice 1. What parts are part of the brain?

a. cerebellum b. medullac. pons d. all of the above

2. A sleep disorder characterized by recurring problems in falling asleep or staying asleep is…a. Sleep apnea b. Narcolepsy c. Insomnia d. nightmares

3. This disorder can be healed by having a “split brain” operation. a. nightmares b. hallucinationsc. insomnia e. epilepsy

Multiple Choice1. What is not a theory for why people sleep?

a. to allow people to restore their energy

b. because they are bored

c. to conserve energy

d. to clear our minds of useless information

2. Which one is not a cue for depth perception?

a. monocular b. illusions

c. motion parallax d. binocular

3. A potent psychedelic drug that produces distortions of perception and thought is…

a. LSD b. alcohol

c. opiates d. marijuana

Short Answers

1. Describe how the peripheral nervous system controls voluntary and involuntary activities. (p.156)

The peripheral system is broken down into Somatic and Autonomic Systems, the somatic system controls voluntary muscles, autonomic controls involuntary muscles. The autonomic is broken down into sympathetic which expends energy and the parasympathetic which conserves energy.

2. What are the Gestalt principles of perception? Describe each principle. (p.224)

Proximity-when we see a number of similar objects, we tend to perceive them as groups or sets

Similarity-when similar and similar objects are mingled, we see the similar objects as groups

Closure-when we see a familiar pattern or shape with some missing parts, we fill in the gaps

Continuity-we tend to see continuous patterns, not disrupted ones

Simplicity- we see the simplest shapes possible