Chapter 3
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
- Review the functioning of the nervous system by specifying the four types of neurons, the parts of a neuron and their functions, and the electrochemical process associated with neuronal communication.
- Describe the action of a neurotransmitters on the receiving neuron and be able to list the different types of neurotransmitters and what function(s) they are believed to be associated with
- Explain the field of psychopharmacology and discuss the goals of professionals within this field.
- Describe the peripheral nervous system, its subsystems, and the role of these systems in human behavior.
- Identify and describe the structures and functions of the central nervous system.
- Define the structures and functions of the brain including the substructures of the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain.
- Describe how studying brain damage might allow us to better understand how the brain normally functions.
- Specify how modern techniques such as CT, PET, and MRI and fMRI scans are making the examination of brain processes more precise.
- Understand brain specialization and discuss some of the research that has been conducted within this area.
- Examine the concept of plasticity, discuss factors that may influence the plasticity of the brain, and explain how plasticity may provide hope in altering the effects of neuronal disease.
- Describe the functioning of the endocrine system, list the endocrine glands within this system, and state how the hormones produced by these glands influence behavior.
- Understand the difference between nature and nurture and how each affects the expression of human traits.
- Understand the basic components of genetics including gene(s), chromosomes, genotype and phenotype and heritability.
- Discuss the role that genetics has on human behavior and traits.
- What is the evolutionary approach to psychology and how our evolutionary history is believed to influence current human behavior(s).
- Outline some of the controversies associated with evolutionary approaches and explain how evolutionary psychologists answer these criticisms.
