Health psychologists are an asset to hospitals because they contribute to healthcare policies. They ensure patients understand their diagnosis and abide by a treatment regimen. They assist with interventions for unhealthy habits that lead to disease.
Abnormal activation of temperoparietal language areas during phonetic analysis in children with dyslexia. Intensive instruction in reading improves how a child’s brain works. In schizophrenia, key parts of the brain may not communicate well, making it hard to organize one’s thoughts. And true love wouldn’t be true without the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Brain psychology is a field of study that delves into the intricate workings of the human brain and how it influences behavior, thoughts, and emotions. It explores the complex relationship between the brain’s structure and function, and how this impacts our everyday lives.
The Role of Neurotransmitters
When studying the midbrain, it is important to know the functions of the colliculi, the tegmentum, and the cerebral peduncles. In between the thalamus and the pituitary gland is the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus reestablishes balance via regulating hormone release from the pituitary gland. Connecting the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland is the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, which helps the body prepare for stressful situations through the distribution of hormones.
Understanding speech, however, involves much more than simply decoding words. We need to draw inferences (make conclusions about unstated information), understand subtle references and humor, read non-verbal cues and facial expressions, and so on. Many of these functions are typically handled by the right hemisphere. So, would it really be fair to say that understanding speech takes place in the left (or right) hemisphere?
Most neurotransmitters—for example, serotonin and dopamine—are released from the receptor sites and reabsorbed by axon terminals; the process is called reuptake. For example, cocaine gets its agonistic effect on dopamine this way; it encourages neural activity in part by keeping this excitatory neurotransmitter in the synapses. Similarly, Prozac and Zoloft are antidepressants that have agonistic effects on serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake. These antidepressants are called (accurately but not gracefully) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Norepinephrine and dopamine are chemically very similar to each other; norepinephrine is synthesized from dopamine, in fact (Waymire, 20xx).
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that play a crucial role in communication between neurons. They are responsible for regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and many other functions. Imbalances in neurotransmitter levels can lead to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
The Impact of Trauma on the Brain
Research in brain psychology has shown that traumatic experiences can have a lasting impact on the brain. Trauma can alter the structure of the brain, particularly in areas responsible for processing emotions and memory. This can result in conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological disturbances.
When an event occurs and is stored in memory, many properties of the event are stored with it (colors, odors, sounds, emotions, physical feelings, and so on). Any of these properties may serve as the entry point into the memory, that is, as a retrieval cue (Module 5). For example, imagine that you receive the best grade on your next psychology exam that you have ever gotten, and the news puts you in a very happy mood. Several weeks later, a new event puts you in the same mood; the repetition of the mood reminds you of the exam. If you are reminded of some event without realizing what did the reminding, the consequent thought will seem as if it just popped into your head.
Overall, brain psychology offers valuable insights into how our brains function and how they shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By understanding the complexities of the brain, we can develop more effective interventions and treatments for a wide range of mental health issues.
