Nucleus Accumbens

The nucleus accumbens is situated within the basal forebrain. This small yet essential structure is a significant part of the ventral striatum and is placed between the caudate and putamen. The nucleus accumbens is partitioned into two physiological features- the central core and outer shell. The nucleus accumbens acts as a neuronal intersection. Its complex network facilitates various cognitive functions- voluntary movement, operant conditioning, motivation, and slow-wave sleep. The two divisions of the nucleus accumbens- the shell and core- function in distinct yet cooperative ways....

September 27, 2022 · 10 min · 1990 words · Bradley Elliott

Soma Neurons

It is in a neuron’s soma, or cell body, where most of the neuron’s metabolism occurs. A neuron’s axon is its biggest and most cytoplasm-rich component. The soma is the hub from which dendrites and axons radiate. But what exactly is a soma neuron, and what does it do? The soma neuron, also known as the cell body, is the most important part of a neuron. The soma’s function is to keep the neuron alive and firing properly....

September 27, 2022 · 9 min · 1736 words · Michelle Macdonald

Substantia Nigra Function

The brain is like a computer or any smart device with a CPU, a motherboard, and other smaller components controlling specific functions. Each has a vital role that keeps the brain and body functioning. One of these components is the substantia nigra. The substantia nigra function is to produce dopamine and assist in controlling movement as part of structures and circuits in the brain. Other functions of this midbrain nucleus are controlling body movements and regulating muscle tone through dopamine levels....

September 27, 2022 · 9 min · 1777 words · Timothy Oliver

7 Celebrities with a Psychology Degree

Many of the celebrities we see on the television today are singers, actors, filmmakers, athletes or generally involved in some entertainment genre or the other. Despite them being involved in the mainstream entertainment section of society, many of our most popular celebrities were engaged in the world of psychology as well.This goes to show that having a degree in psychology does not necessarily have to lead to acareer as a psychologist....

September 20, 2022 · 5 min · 854 words · Joseph Koch

An Introduction to Psychopharmacology: Where Psychology Meets Pharmacotherapy

You can’t discuss mental health in America without taking an honest look at the scope of the crises. While there are encouraging statistics that indicate more people are talking about mental health and beginning to seek help, the data still reveals some concerning trends. For instance, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency reported in 2020 that41.4 millionAmerican adults received either inpatient or outpatient mental health care services, or were prescribed medication to treat some form of mental illness....

September 9, 2022 · 6 min · 1154 words · Angela Blankenship DVM

How Psychopharmacology Promotes Interdisciplinary Discovery

Anyone who’s ever taken a psychology class is probably familiar with Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. But many may not be aware of another psychological principle he discussed: a cognitive bias typically referred to as Maslow’s hammer. Even ifthe law of the instrument,as Maslow himself called it, isn’t so well-known, the simple statement he used to summarize it is: “I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail....

September 9, 2022 · 8 min · 1596 words · Latasha Cabrera

6 Famous Cross Cultural Psychologists

Just how psychology is the study of the behavioral and psychological processes of a human,cross cultural psychologyis the scientific study of human behavior and psychological processes in relation to various cultural and social aspects. Cross cultural psychology has been steadily gaining quite a bit of popularity owing to the recent globalization trends. The list below contains names of prominent psychologists who have added great value to the field of cross cultural psychology either directly or through collaborating with other popular psychologists....

September 5, 2022 · 4 min · 735 words · Anthony Parks

5 Best States to Work as a Psychologist

Once you have decided to begin your new, thriving psychology career, your next major task is to look for a state where your efforts and knowledge will be well-compensated. Psychologists basically study the human mind and how it influences emotions and behavior. As psychology is such a universal field,a new psychologistcan find work virtually anywhere. California California is one of the most multicultural states in the country, which lends itself perfectly to psychologists who can understand cultural differences and the influence these disparities have on individuals’ thoughts, emotions, and behavior....

September 4, 2022 · 3 min · 541 words · Victoria Haas

8 Famous Women Psychologists in the USA

To cater to the high demand of psychology related services over the century, many practitioners have surfaced to add value to this global industry. However, only a few have made a name for themselves as they are indeed a cut above the rest. This list below is not in any particular order or rank, but it highlights a few of those famous women psychologists in the USA that arenationally known for their vast contribution to thefield of psychology....

September 1, 2022 · 3 min · 613 words · Stephanie Jones

Basal Forebrain (Location + Function)

The Basal Forebrain is an association of individual nuclei components of the forebrain, situated in front of and below the striatum. The assortment of varied, distinct telencephalic structures resides in the medial and ventral planes of the cerebral hemisphere. The basal forebrain projects cholinergic neurons throughout the cortical surface. The distinct nuclei of the basal forebrain produce acetylcholine- circulated cranially. The neuronal constituents are essential in thermoregulation, sleep-wake control, motor coordination, and cognition....

August 23, 2022 · 11 min · 2167 words · Robin Ellis

Caudate Nucleus (Location + Functions)

The brain is a complex structure that is made up of many parts/structures that vary in size, purpose, and functioning. A small structure, known as the Caudate Nucleus, plays a significant role in several important functions despite its size. So, what is the Caudate Nucleus? Small in size, the Caudate Nucleus is considered the major input station of the Basal Ganglia. The Caudate Nucleus is responsible for several motor and cognitive functions....

August 23, 2022 · 7 min · 1360 words · Monique Anderson

Cephalocaudal Development

Cephalocaudal development, or the cephalocaudal principle or trend, is a term used to describe the universal “head-to-toe” direction of humans' growth and functional motor development. It is most obviously observed in infants' spatial proportions change, continuing to adulthood. A Broad Explanation Of Cephalocaudal DevelopmentThe Cephalocaudal Trend in Biological DevelopmentThe Cephalocaudal Trend in Psychological DevelopmentConclusion A Broad Explanation Of Cephalocaudal Development The Cephalocaudal Trend in Biological Development The Cephalocaudal Trend in Psychological Development...

August 23, 2022 · 8 min · 1603 words · Michael Kim

Corticospinal Tract

The corticospinal tract is the largest pathway in the central nervous system. It produces movement and senses that are essential for daily life. The pyramidal tract, better known as the Corticospinal tract, is a collection of neuron axons that transfer movement-related information from the brain’s center (the cerebral cortex) to the spinal cord. The tract is part of the descending tract system that starts at the brainstem. The corticospinal tract serves many functions....

August 23, 2022 · 11 min · 2221 words · Jonathan Moore