AQA GCSE Psychology: Brain and Neuropsychology Topic

This contains all 9 lessons in the Brain and Neuropsychology topic for AQA GCSE Psychology. It also contains a Homework booklet, a Starter booklet and the entire Brain and Neuropsychology Workbooklet.

Structure and function of the nervous system

The divisions of the human nervous system: central and peripheral (somatic and autonomic), basic functions of these divisions.
The autonomic nervous system and the fight or flight response. The James-Lange theory of emotion.

Neuron structure and function

Sensory, relay and motor neurons. Synaptic transmission: release and reuptake of neurotransmitters. Excitation and inhibition. An understanding of how these processes interact.
Hebb’s theory of learning and neuronal growth.

Structure and function of the brain

Brain structure: frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe and cerebellum.
Basic function of these structures.
Localisation of function in the brain: motor, somatosensory, visual, auditory and language areas.
Penfield’s study of the interpretive cortex.

An introduction to neuropsychology

Cognitive neuroscience: how the structure and function of the brain relate to behaviour and cognition.
The use of scanning techniques to identify brain functioning: CT, PET and fMRI scans.
Tulving’s ‘gold’ memory study.
A basic understanding of how neurological damage, eg stroke or injury can affect motor abilities and behaviour.