Inside the Human BrainInside the Human Brain
Introduction to Anthropology, Sociology& Psychology—HSP 3MIntroduction to Anthropology, Sociology& Psychology—HSP 3M
Inside the Teenage BrainInside the Teenage Brain
Adolescence is characterized byextreme mood swings andparticipation in risk-taking behaviour.Adolescence is characterized byextreme mood swings andparticipation in risk-taking behaviour.
Many changes are occurring in thefrontal cortex which account forthese behaviours.Many changes are occurring in thefrontal cortex which account forthese behaviours.
The frontal cortex, which isresponsible for reason and logic, isnot fully developed in adolescents.The frontal cortex, which isresponsible for reason and logic, isnot fully developed in adolescents.
Inside the Teenage BrainInside the Teenage Brain
Due to this, many adolescentsmisinterpret emotions causingconflict with parents, peers andteachers.Due to this, many adolescentsmisinterpret emotions causingconflict with parents, peers andteachers.
Example: Misinterpreting one’sbehaviour as anger.Example: Misinterpreting one’sbehaviour as anger.
The adolescent brain does notinterpret environmental informationin the same manner as adult do.The adolescent brain does notinterpret environmental informationin the same manner as adult do.
Inside the Teenage BrainInside the Teenage Brain
The cerebellum, responsible fororganizing thoughts and cognition,changes the most during adolescence.The cerebellum, responsible fororganizing thoughts and cognition,changes the most during adolescence.
The cerebellum is not fully developed untila person is 21 years old.The cerebellum is not fully developed untila person is 21 years old.
This lack of development can account foradolescents not always hearing orunderstanding what their parents orteachers are trying to communicate andtheir lack of organization.This lack of development can account foradolescents not always hearing orunderstanding what their parents orteachers are trying to communicate andtheir lack of organization.
So why do we treat adolescents like adultsif they are not cognitively the same?So why do we treat adolescents like adultsif they are not cognitively the same?
Inside the Teenage BrainInside the Teenage Brain
Getting adequate sleep is one of thebest things adolescents can do toenhance learning and braindevelopment.Getting adequate sleep is one of thebest things adolescents can do toenhance learning and braindevelopment.
Adolescents need 9 ¼ hours sleep anight to function properly.Adolescents need 9 ¼ hours sleep anight to function properly.
Despite this, on average adolescentsget only 7 ½ hours sleep per night.Despite this, on average adolescentsget only 7 ½ hours sleep per night.
This continuous sleep deficit causessignificant gaps in learning.This continuous sleep deficit causessignificant gaps in learning.
Inside the Teenage BrainInside the Teenage Brain
Adolescents circadian clock keeps teensup late at night, however as school startsearly they are forced to get up before theyhave received enough sleep.Adolescents circadian clock keeps teensup late at night, however as school startsearly they are forced to get up before theyhave received enough sleep.
As a result most adolescents are not ablefunction properly in school as they are stillin a sleep like state.As a result most adolescents are not ablefunction properly in school as they are stillin a sleep like state.
Studies show that when teens getadequate sleep they perform better oncognitive tasks.Studies show that when teens getadequate sleep they perform better oncognitive tasks.
Teens that are sleep deficient showsignificant gaps in their ability to retaininformation and perform cognitive tasks.Teens that are sleep deficient showsignificant gaps in their ability to retaininformation and perform cognitive tasks.
Inside the Teenage BrainInside the Teenage Brain
So why does school start so early?So why does school start so early?
Later school start studies indicatethat when school starts later (10 am-4:30 pm), teens perform betteracademically and they are lessfrequently absent.Later school start studies indicatethat when school starts later (10 am-4:30 pm), teens perform betteracademically and they are lessfrequently absent.
However they are less likely toparticipate in extra curricularactivities which are also beneficial tohealthy development.However they are less likely toparticipate in extra curricularactivities which are also beneficial tohealthy development.
Inside the Teenage BrainInside the Teenage Brain
The most important factor toadolescent development is therelationships, connections andsupport systems formed withfamily and peers.The most important factor toadolescent development is therelationships, connections andsupport systems formed withfamily and peers.
The Human Brain--FunctionsThe Human Brain--Functions
The human brain isthe center of thehuman nervoussystem and is the mostcomplex organ in anycreature on earth.The human brain isthe center of thehuman nervoussystem and is the mostcomplex organ in anycreature on earth.
It has the samegeneral structure asthe brains of othermammals, but is overfive times as large asthe "average brain" ofa mammal with thesame body size.It has the samegeneral structure asthe brains of othermammals, but is overfive times as large asthe "average brain" ofa mammal with thesame body size.
Human BrainHuman Brain
The brain is made of three main parts: theforebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.The brain is made of three main parts: theforebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
The forebrain consists of the cerebrum,thalamus, and hypothalamus (part of thelimbic system).The forebrain consists of the cerebrum,thalamus, and hypothalamus (part of thelimbic system).
The midbrain consists of the tectum andtegmentum.The midbrain consists of the tectum andtegmentum.
The hindbrain is made of the cerebellum,pons and medulla. The hindbrain is made of the cerebellum,pons and medulla.
Often the midbrain, pons, and medulla arereferred to together as the brainstem.Often the midbrain, pons, and medulla arereferred to together as the brainstem.
Human BrainHuman Brain
The cerebrum or cortex is thelargest part of the human brain,associated with higher brain functionsuch as thought and action.The cerebrum or cortex is thelargest part of the human brain,associated with higher brain functionsuch as thought and action.
The cerebral cortex is divided intofour sections, called "lobes": thefrontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipitallobe, and temporal lobe.The cerebral cortex is divided intofour sections, called "lobes": thefrontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipitallobe, and temporal lobe.
Human BrainHuman Brain
Right HemisphereRight Hemisphere
The righthemispherecontrols the leftside of the bodyThe righthemispherecontrols the leftside of the body
Temporal andspatialrelationshipsTemporal andspatialrelationships
AnalyzingnonverbalinformationAnalyzingnonverbalinformation
CommunicatingemotionCommunicatingemotion
Left HemisphereLeft Hemisphere
The lefthemispherecontrols the rightside of the bodyThe lefthemispherecontrols the rightside of the body
Produce andunderstandlanguageProduce andunderstandlanguage
Human BrainHuman Brain
Frontal Lobe- associatedwith reasoning, planning,parts of speech, movement,emotions, and problemsolvingFrontal Lobe- associatedwith reasoning, planning,parts of speech, movement,emotions, and problemsolving
Parietal Lobe- associatedwith movement, orientation,recognition, perception ofstimuliParietal Lobe- associatedwith movement, orientation,recognition, perception ofstimuli
Occipital Lobe- associatedwith visual processingOccipital Lobe- associatedwith visual processing
Temporal Lobe- associatedwith perception andrecognition of auditorystimuli, memory, and speechTemporal Lobe- associatedwith perception andrecognition of auditorystimuli, memory, and speech
Human BrainHuman Brain
The cerebellum, or "little brain",is similar to the cerebrum in thatit has two hemispheres and hasa highly folded surface or cortex.The cerebellum, or "little brain",is similar to the cerebrum in thatit has two hemispheres and hasa highly folded surface or cortex.
This structure is associated withregulation and coordination ofmovement, posture, andbalance.This structure is associated withregulation and coordination ofmovement, posture, andbalance.
The Human BrainThe Human Brain
Thalamus is a large mass of graymatter deeply situated in theforebrain at the topmost portion ofthe diencephalon.Thalamus is a large mass of graymatter deeply situated in theforebrain at the topmost portion ofthe diencephalon.
The structure has sensory andmotor functions.The structure has sensory andmotor functions.
Almost all sensory information entersthis structure where neurons sendthat information to the overlyingcortex.Almost all sensory information entersthis structure where neurons sendthat information to the overlyingcortex.
The Human BrainThe Human Brain
Hypothalamus- The structure isinvolved in functions includinghomeostasis, emotion, thirst, hunger,circadian rhythms, and control of theautonomic nervous system.Hypothalamus- The structure isinvolved in functions includinghomeostasis, emotion, thirst, hunger,circadian rhythms, and control of theautonomic nervous system.
Examples:Examples:
Moods and motivationMoods and motivation
Sexual maturationSexual maturation
Temperature regulationTemperature regulation
Hormonal body processesHormonal body processes
The Human BrainThe Human Brain
Amygdala- involved in memory,emotion, and fear.Amygdala- involved in memory,emotion, and fear.
The amygdala is both large andjust beneath the surface of thefront, medial part of the temporallobe.The amygdala is both large andjust beneath the surface of thefront, medial part of the temporallobe.
Human BrainHuman Brain
Hippocampus- This part of thebrain is important for learningand memory. Specifically forconverting short term memory tomore permanent memory, andfor recalling spatial relationshipsin the world about us.Hippocampus- This part of thebrain is important for learningand memory. Specifically forconverting short term memory tomore permanent memory, andfor recalling spatial relationshipsin the world about us.
Human BrainHuman Brain
Pons- It is involved in motor controland sensory analysis... for example,information from the ear first entersthe brain in the pons.Pons- It is involved in motor controland sensory analysis... for example,information from the ear first entersthe brain in the pons.
It has parts that are important for thelevel of consciousness and for sleep.It has parts that are important for thelevel of consciousness and for sleep.
Some structures within the pons arelinked to the cerebellum, thus areinvolved in movement and posture.Some structures within the pons arelinked to the cerebellum, thus areinvolved in movement and posture.
Human BrainHuman Brain
Medulla- this structure is thecaudal-most part of the brainstem, between the pons andspinal cord.Medulla- this structure is thecaudal-most part of the brainstem, between the pons andspinal cord.
It is responsible for maintainingvital body functions, such asbreathing and heart rate.It is responsible for maintainingvital body functions, such asbreathing and heart rate.