Glossary in Psychology

Glossary in Psychology

Cogito ergo sum – mathematician Rene Descartes, Latin for “I think therefore I am”

The following are some of the terms often encountered in neuroscientific research. Psychology similarly draws on the database.

ACETYLCHOLINE: A major neurotransmitter in the brain. The enzyme that breaks it down is called acetylcholinesterase.

AMYGDALA: Almond shaped nuclei in the temporal lobe. Part of the limbic system, mediate emotional reactions and memory.

Cogito ergo sum. Comic-book woman on Descartes: Cogito ergo sum is Latin for I think therefore I am. The phrase was coined by mathematician Rene Descartes. Image : Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS): Divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic orchestrates the fight-or-flight (or freeze) response, while its parasympathetic counterpart modulates metabolism, thermoregulation and homeostasis maintenance.

BRAIN: The brain is part of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and is divided into two hemispheres and four lobes. The four lobes are: frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital.

BRAINSTEM: The brainstem is the posterior part of the mammalian brain, continuing downwards to join the spinal cord.

BLIND SPOT: The location where the optic nerve leaves the eye lacks photoreceptors (rods and cones). Thus, there is no visual input for that, albeit small, part of the visual field. However, since the brain fills in the missing information from context and information form the other eye, humans are usually unaware of its existence.

GOLGI STAIN: A method developed by Camillo Golgi in 1873, which consists of “staining” neurons with chemicals they react to, making them visible and thus possible to outline projections.

INTERNEURONS: Also called relay neurons, interneurons connect afferent and efferent pathways.

LONELINESS: The psychological definition of loneliness (as defined by psychologists) is not the absence of, but the dissatisfaction with one’s, relationships. In contrast, solitude relates a state of contentment despite being alone.

MOTOR CORTEX: The part of the brain that is primarily responsible for movement is called the motor cortex. Other, adjacent strctures also influencing motion are the premotor and sensorimotor crtices. The localized homunculous is a topographical representation of the human body.

NEUROMARKETING: The application of neuroscientific knowledge to business practices. Often criticized as unethical and immoral.

NEURON: Brain cells consisting of a body (soma) and an elongated portion projecting outwards (axon). Short projections from neurons are called dendrites.

NEUROREGENERATION: Regrowth or repair of nerve or other cell tissue. The process differs between the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

NEUROSCIENCE: The scientific study of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system). Traditionally considered a branch of biology, neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field, combining elements from other disciplines such as computer science, chemistry, mathematics, physics, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, medicine and engineering.

NEUROSTRANSMITTERS: Neurotransmitters are neurochemicals, or chemical messengers in the brain.

OLFACTORY BULB: The olfactory bulb is the forebrain structure primarily associated with the sense of smell.

PSYCHOLOGY: Psychology, especially neuropsychology, is a field close to neuroscience. Psychological disciplines are: experimental, cognitive, social, personality, abnormal, developmental, computational, evolutionary, positive, cultural and biological.

SfN (Society for Neuroscience): Society for Neuroscience is a non-profit membership organization for physicians and scientists studying the nervous system. Headquarters are located in Washington, DC; USA.

STARTLE RESPONSE: Brainstem reflex aimed at protecting the organism and enabling sudden reaction. The behavioral phenomenon is present in many species.

STELLATE NEURONS: Stellate neurons get their name because their shapes resemble those of stars. There are three main types: aspiny stellate cells, inhibitory interneurons and excitatory spiny stellate interneurons.

TALAIRACH COORDINATES: Talairach coordinates map the human brain. MNI (Montreal Neurological Institute) coordinates are additionally used.

THEORY OF MIND (ToM): The ability to infer others’ motivations and beliefs. Largely thought to develop faster in children with siblings and impaired in autism.

What is this catty robot thinking? An inference along these lines: ‘probably chasing the science fiction toy for fun’, represents the thought processes involved in theory of mind. Credit image: Copyright © Elena

UPTAKE PUMP: When neurotransmitter are transported back inside the terminal, the process is accomplished with the uptake pump. For that purpose, neurochemicals such as dopamine, serotonin or acetylcholine bind to this protein.

VALENCE: In neuroscience, the term valence refers to emotional value associated with stimuli. Thus, valence may be positive or negative.

VESICLES: Inside the axon’s terminal, there are small pouches dubbed vesicles. When a neuron fires, they release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

ZEITGEBER: Synchronization clues from the environment. The word is derived from German, literally meaning ‘time givers’.

ZEITGEIST: Also a German word, meaning the spirit of the time. However, the expression has since come to represent how explanations in the scientific community are influenced by the ideologies of their surroundings.

Copyright © 2015 Elena. All rights reserved.