{"id":192,"date":"2023-02-17T22:37:17","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T22:37:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/3-3-fresh-take\/"},"modified":"2023-08-21T02:39:07","modified_gmt":"2023-08-21T02:39:07","slug":"3-3-fresh-take","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/3-3-fresh-take\/","title":{"raw":"Studying the Brain: Fresh Take","rendered":"Studying the Brain: Fresh Take"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Understand how loss of function in different brain areas can help us study the brain<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe the ways that brains can be imaged or scanned<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2>Studying the Brain<\/h2>\r\nStudying the brain involves various methods to understand its functions. Phrenology, a popular study in the 19th century, tried to correlate bumps on the skull with specific brain functions, but this approach has been proven incorrect. However, it influenced modern neuroscience's understanding that different parts of the brain have specific functions.\r\n<h3>Injuries and Lesions<\/h3>\r\nAnother method involves studying individuals who have suffered brain damage, such as strokes. Changes in behavior and abilities after brain injuries can help identify the functions of specific brain areas.\r\n\r\nThe case of Phineas Gage, who experienced frontal lobe damage, illustrates how brain injuries can affect personality and impulse control. While there is some debate about the extent of his personality changes, Gage's case contributed to the understanding of the frontal lobe's function. Animal studies and patient populations with brain lesions also provide valuable insights into brain function by observing changes in behavior before and after the damage.\r\n<h3>Split Brain Studies<\/h3>\r\nSplit-brain patients, whose corpus callosum (the connection between the brain hemispheres) is severed, offer insights into how the brain works. For example, a split-brain patient can only name an object seen in their right visual field with the verbal left hemisphere, while they can draw it with their left hand controlled by the nonverbal right hemisphere. This demonstrates the specialization of brain hemispheres in processing different types of information.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"786\"]<img class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224557\/CNX_Psych_03_04_CorpusCall.jpg\" alt=\"Illustrations (a) and (b) show the corpus callosum\u2019s location in the brain in front and side views. The corpus callosum sits in between the right and left hemisphere of the brain and slightly more towards the front of the brain than the back. Photograph (c) shows the corpus callosum in a dissected brain.\" width=\"786\" height=\"209\" data-media-type=\"image\/jpg\" \/> <strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. (a, b) The corpus callosum connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. (c) A scientist spreads this dissected sheep brain apart to show the corpus callosum between the hemispheres. (credit c: modification of work by Aaron Bornstein)[\/caption]\r\n<h3>Neuroplasticity<\/h3>\r\nNeuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt. It can occur through developmental processes or in response to damage or injury. The case of reporter Bob Woodruff, who recovered cognitive functions after a traumatic brain injury, highlights the remarkable capacity of the brain to adapt and change throughout life.\r\n\r\nOverall, studying the brain involves analyzing converging evidence from various methods, such as studying brain injuries, examining split-brain patients, and understanding neuroplasticity, to gain insights into its functions and capabilities.\r\n<h2>Imaging the Brain<\/h2>\r\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">Watch this video to review the different methods that can be used to image the brain:[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=N2apCx1rlIQ[\/embed]\r\n\r\nYou can view the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+Psych\/2-Minute+Neuroscience_+Neuroimaging.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transcript for \u201c2-Minute Neuroscience: Neuroimaging\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/section><section class=\"textbox watchIt\">Watch this video to better understand what the science behind a brain scan is:\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=B10pc0Kizsc\r\nYou can view the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+Psych\/How+do+brain+scans+work_+-+John+Borghi+and+Elizabeth+Waters.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transcript for \u201cHow do brain scans work? - John Borghi and Elizabeth Waters\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/a><\/section>&nbsp;","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\n<ul>\n<li>Understand how loss of function in different brain areas can help us study the brain<\/li>\n<li>Describe the ways that brains can be imaged or scanned<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Studying the Brain<\/h2>\n<p>Studying the brain involves various methods to understand its functions. Phrenology, a popular study in the 19th century, tried to correlate bumps on the skull with specific brain functions, but this approach has been proven incorrect. However, it influenced modern neuroscience&#8217;s understanding that different parts of the brain have specific functions.<\/p>\n<h3>Injuries and Lesions<\/h3>\n<p>Another method involves studying individuals who have suffered brain damage, such as strokes. Changes in behavior and abilities after brain injuries can help identify the functions of specific brain areas.<\/p>\n<p>The case of Phineas Gage, who experienced frontal lobe damage, illustrates how brain injuries can affect personality and impulse control. While there is some debate about the extent of his personality changes, Gage&#8217;s case contributed to the understanding of the frontal lobe&#8217;s function. Animal studies and patient populations with brain lesions also provide valuable insights into brain function by observing changes in behavior before and after the damage.<\/p>\n<h3>Split Brain Studies<\/h3>\n<p>Split-brain patients, whose corpus callosum (the connection between the brain hemispheres) is severed, offer insights into how the brain works. For example, a split-brain patient can only name an object seen in their right visual field with the verbal left hemisphere, while they can draw it with their left hand controlled by the nonverbal right hemisphere. This demonstrates the specialization of brain hemispheres in processing different types of information.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 786px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224557\/CNX_Psych_03_04_CorpusCall.jpg\" alt=\"Illustrations (a) and (b) show the corpus callosum\u2019s location in the brain in front and side views. The corpus callosum sits in between the right and left hemisphere of the brain and slightly more towards the front of the brain than the back. Photograph (c) shows the corpus callosum in a dissected brain.\" width=\"786\" height=\"209\" data-media-type=\"image\/jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. (a, b) The corpus callosum connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. (c) A scientist spreads this dissected sheep brain apart to show the corpus callosum between the hemispheres. (credit c: modification of work by Aaron Bornstein)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Neuroplasticity<\/h3>\n<p>Neuroplasticity refers to the brain&#8217;s ability to change and adapt. It can occur through developmental processes or in response to damage or injury. The case of reporter Bob Woodruff, who recovered cognitive functions after a traumatic brain injury, highlights the remarkable capacity of the brain to adapt and change throughout life.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, studying the brain involves analyzing converging evidence from various methods, such as studying brain injuries, examining split-brain patients, and understanding neuroplasticity, to gain insights into its functions and capabilities.<\/p>\n<h2>Imaging the Brain<\/h2>\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">Watch this video to review the different methods that can be used to image the brain:<iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"2-Minute Neuroscience: Neuroimaging\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/N2apCx1rlIQ?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>You can view the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+Psych\/2-Minute+Neuroscience_+Neuroimaging.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transcript for \u201c2-Minute Neuroscience: Neuroimaging\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">Watch this video to better understand what the science behind a brain scan is:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-2\" title=\"How do brain scans work? - John Borghi and Elizabeth Waters\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/B10pc0Kizsc?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br \/>\nYou can view the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+Psych\/How+do+brain+scans+work_+-+John+Borghi+and+Elizabeth+Waters.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transcript for \u201cHow do brain scans work? &#8211; John Borghi and Elizabeth Waters\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/a><\/section>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"menu_order":20,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"Neuroimaging\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Two Minute Neuroscience\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=N2apCx1rlIQ\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"other\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube License\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"How do brain scans work\",\"author\":\"John Borghi and Elizabeth Waters\",\"organization\":\"TedEd\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=B10pc0Kizsc\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"other\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube License\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":210,"module-header":"fresh_take","content_attributions":[{"type":"copyrighted_video","description":"Neuroimaging","author":"","organization":"Two Minute Neuroscience","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=N2apCx1rlIQ","project":"","license":"other","license_terms":"Standard YouTube License"},{"type":"copyrighted_video","description":"How do brain scans work","author":"John Borghi and Elizabeth Waters","organization":"TedEd","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=B10pc0Kizsc","project":"","license":"other","license_terms":"Standard YouTube License"}],"internal_book_links":[],"video_content":null,"cc_video_embed_content":{"cc_scripts":"","media_targets":[]},"try_it_collection":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/192"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5971,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/192\/revisions\/5971"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/210"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/192\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=192"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=192"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}