Unit 1 Biological foundation of behavior

Brain Hypothesis
Interactive Brain Hypothesis (IBH) in order to help map the spectrum of possible relations
between social interaction and neural processes. The hypothesis states that interactive
experience and skills play enabling roles in both the development and current function of
social brain mechanisms, even in cases where social understanding happens in the absence
of immediate interaction.
The “social brain hypothesis” explains the large brain size of primates. It states that a
primate's social group size has a positive correlation with the volume of its prefrontal cortex.
This correlation between PFC volume and social network size is found in humans as well,
which is reflected in their social cognitive abilities. In a recent study complexity of
environment has been shown to have direct impact on complexity of mPFC neurons,
showing social environment's foothold on cortical plasticity. This shows that the
environment plays a significant role in modulating brain regions.
maternal care is a crucial need of an individual during early life, as it helps in the regulation
of the HPA axis and emotional stability in the long run (Hall, 2014; Zalewski, Lengua, Kiff, &
Fisher, 2012). Orphans growing up in institutions deprived of social attachment during their
early life display physical, psychological, and sexual aggression (Boucher, Pare, Perry, Sigal, &
Ouimet, 2008). Impacts of mother and infant attachment were studied in the 1950s in a
famous experiment on Rhesus Monkeys by a psychologist, Harry Harlow. He showed that the
mother-infant relationship was more psychological than biological. The study suggested that
mothers were important not just for supplementing food but also crucial for touch-sensitive
attachment with the infant that helped the long-term emotional and mental stability of the
child (Harlow & Zimmermann, 1959). In contrast, positive influences in early life show a
healthy pattern of development in an individual. The impact of strong parental bonding,
characterized by high affection toward children, is linked to a lower risk of PTSD in
adulthood, suggesting that emotional enrichment protects against PTSD in adulthood

Mind and brain differences

https://byjus.com/biology/difference-between-brain-and-mind/
https://www.vedantu.com/biology/difference-between-brain-and-mind

Localization and lateralization of language

Human split-brain studies have helped develop knowledge about language and
lateralization. In split-brain studies, the cutting of the corpus callosum (a group of nerve
fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres) is cut. These studies have proven that the left
and the right brain hemispheres have specific language functions.
Left Hemisphere
Naming objects is one of the language-related functions of the left hemisphere. Objects
placed in the right visual field are easily recognized by both normal people and split-brain
subjects. However, split-brain subjects cannot identify objects located in the left visual field
unlike normal subjects. This proves that the only known language function of the left-
hemisphere is to name identified objects. Logic, critical thinking and reasoning are also
functions that are dominantly processed in the left hemisphere.

Right Hemisphere
Verbal identification of objects presented in the left visual field cannot be identified by
people who have undergone the split-brain surgery. However, they can identify these objects
by means of their sense o touch. Some words can also be comprehended through the right
hemisphere. The split-brain studies show that the figurative sides and context of language
are understood via the right hemisphere. In addition, the emotional expression of language
is processed in the right hemisphere. Also, music stimulates the right hemisphere more than
spoken words do.
In the vast majority of people, these primary language functions are located in the left
hemisphere: the linkages between speech sounds and their meanings are mainly
represented in the left temporal cortex, and the circuitry for the motor commands that
organize the production of meaningful speech is mainly found in the left frontal cortex.
Despite this left-sided predominance, the emotional (affective) content of language is
governed largely by the right hemisphere.

Hierarchical Organization of brain

Hierarchy of brain function. The human brain is organized from the most simple (e.g., fewest
cells: brainstem) to most complex (e.g., most cells and most synapses: frontal cortex). The
various functions of the brain, from most simple and reflexive (e.g., regulation of body
temperature) to most complex (e.g., abstract thought) are mediated in parallel with these
levels. These areas organize during development and change in the mature brain in a ‘use-
dependent’ fashion. The more a certain neural system is activated, the more ‘built in’ this
state becomes-- creating an internal representation of the experience corresponding to this
neural activation. This use-dependent capacity to make internal representations of the
external or internal world is the basis for learning and memory.

Aphasia and its type

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/aphasia#:~:text=and%20Wernicke's%20aphasia-,What
%20types%20of%20aphasia%20are%20there%3F,common%20type%20of%20fluent
%20aphasia.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5502-aphasia

Vocabulary

Unit 9- Frontal lobe syndrome

Parietal lobe syndrome refers to a collection of neurological symptoms and deficits that arise
from damage or dysfunction in the parietal lobe of the brain. The parietal lobe is located
near the top and back of the brain, and it plays a crucial role in processing sensory
information, spatial perception, and integrating sensory input from different modalities.
Damage to this area can result in a variety of sensory and perceptual disturbances.
Here are some common features and symptoms associated with parietal lobe syndrome:
1. Somatosensory Disturbances: Damage to the parietal lobe can lead to altered
perception of touch, pain, and temperature. Patients may experience numbness,
tingling, or abnormal sensations in various parts of their body.
2. Spatial Awareness and Perception: The parietal lobe is essential for processing
spatial information. Damage can result in difficulties with tasks such as judging
distances, recognizing objects in the environment, or coordinating movements.
3. Apraxia: This is a condition where individuals have difficulty planning and executing
purposeful movements, even though their muscles are functioning properly. For
example, they may have trouble with tasks like buttoning a shirt or using utensils.
4. Neglect Syndrome: Some individuals with parietal lobe damage may exhibit neglect
syndrome, where they ignore or are unaware of one side of their body or one side of
their visual field. This can lead to a lack of attention to objects or events on that side.
5. Agnosia: Agnosia is a condition in which individuals have difficulty recognizing or
identifying familiar objects, even though their sensory perception is intact. For
example, they may not be able to identify common objects like a pen or a key.
6. Dysgraphia: This refers to difficulty with writing, often resulting from impaired fine
motor skills and spatial awareness.
7. Dyscalculia: People with damage to the parietal lobe may have trouble with
mathematical concepts and calculations.
 8. Visual Disturbances: Damage to specific areas within the parietal lobe can lead to
visual disturbances, such as difficulty perceiving motion, recognizing faces, or
distinguishing between different colors.
It's important to note that the exact symptoms and their severity can vary depending on the
location and extent of damage within the parietal lobe. Parietal lobe syndrome is typically
associated with brain injuries, strokes, tumors, or other neurological conditions affecting this
brain region. Treatment and rehabilitation strategies may vary depending on the specific
deficits experienced by the individual and the underlying cause of the syndrome.
Neurological assessment and rehabilitation by healthcare professionals are often essential
for managing and improving the condition.