Deep inside the brain lies a collection of nuclei collectively known as the basal ganglia. Most notable, the basal ganglia control a wide range of movements from the eyes to the muscles of the extremities. Basal ganglia disease can cause psychological and physical impairment. The basal ganglia is a collection of nuclei responsible for feedback from several different sources within the brain. The basal ganglia relay information to the cortex via the thalamus....

The strange name of that all-important little part of our brain comes from the Greek words for “horse” and “monster.” Hippocampus roughly translates back to our word “seahorse” because of its shape. We have two hippocampi, one resting on either side of the brain, a few inches above the ears. So what is the purpose of this small but vital part of the brain known as the hippocampus? The hippocampus is of vital importance in the brain’s limbic system, which controls our emotions and reactions....

It is true that the convenience of an online education can be quite alluring for many students, especially older students and those who work full-time. In today’s world, you can find a variety of traditional and fully-online colleges anduniversities that offer doctoral psychology degrees (Ph.D.). If you are contemplating earning an online doctoral degree in psychology, there are a number of factors you should consider before enrolling.Some of the questions that you should think about include: “Will a doctoral degree help me achieve my career goals?...

The complexity of the human brain has fascinated neurologists for centuries. Its involvement in several critical neurological functions and disease states makes the mesocortical pathway a region of particular interest. This article explores the complexities of the mesocortical pathway and its involvement in pathologies. The mesocortical pathway is a major dopaminergic pathway that connects the ventral tegmentum to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. It facilitates these brain regions' primary and secondary functions, including executive function, social cognition, and dopaminergic transmission....

Do people ever tell you, “wake up and smell the coffee?” The idea of combining smell and knowledge is more than a crazy cliché. It usually means that you should open your mind to the reality of a situation. When a person smells something, neurons send messages to the smell center, known as the olfactory bulb, which conveys information to other parts of the brain. What is the olfactory bulb?...

The pons in the brainstem connects the brain and spinal cord. This connection provides a physical route for information to travel between the brain and the body. It also controls the sleep cycle, manages pain signals, and works with other organs to maintain breathing rhythm. The pons has many vital junctions for four of the twelve cranial nerves, each having its own functions. Any injury to the pons can result in severe disorders and ultimately poor conduction of signals from the brain to various body parts....

In recent years, research has come out suggesting that autism has been underdiagnosed in children and adults. Signs of autism may be overlooked, or parents fail to pursue a diagnosis due to stigmas surrounding the developmental disorder. As time goes on and conversations around autism are more open, people are realizing that “quirks” they have had are actually signs of autism spectrum disorder. User:[email protected](Log Out) 0%complete This test is not meant to be a diagnosis of autism, but it may shed a light on how your behavior compares to those who have received a diagnosis....

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” We are asked that question from the moment we can answer it! Some people spend their whole lives trying to find that answer. If you are unsure about what career you want to pursue or what degree you want to earn, you’re in the right place. This career test can help illuminate what field may be best for you. Log In...

While bodies of water are sometimes seen as calming, a place where one can relax, there can also be a logical reason to be fearful or scared. The water can very quickly can become an uncontrollable element, something that a minute before was rocking you gently now is attempting to drag you to the bottom. Whether you know how to swim or not, drowning can occur to anyone and is something we should be cautious over, but for some this fear can be immense....

While there are some good things about being alone, there are times when it is not the most pleasant experience. I’m sure many of us have experienced being at home at night alone and hearing our homes moan and groan. Perhaps we worry about robbers or intruders sneaking into our homes. Just as unpleasant, spending large amounts of time alone can be a terrible experience and perhaps was for a number of us during the recent lockdowns....

Are you a lover or a jester? A creator or a ruler? Archetypes, also commonly known as Jungian archetypes, help to identify how you see yourself and fit into the larger story of society. The following Jungian archetype quiz will reveal what category you fall into, but remember - this is just for fun! Find Your Archetype jungian archetypes Who Was Carl Jung?What Are Archetypes?How Do Jungian Archetypes Explain Personality?Archetypes Throughout Modern PsychologyWhat Are the 12 Archetypes?...

“He loves me, he loves me not…” Whether you are relying on the petals of a flower or taking an online test, you’re not the first person who wondered whether a guy likes them more than a friend. Men have been taught to be unemotional and elusive. Expressing feelings is usually not a guy’s forte. But there are ways to determine, from his actions, that he is interested in a more serious, romantic relationship....

Feelings are tough, and expressing them is even tougher! Even when two people have romantic feelings for each other, they may hold off on sharing them. The fear of rejection or losing a friend can be devastating, but the payoff of being together with the person you like might be worth the risk. Likely, you are here because you want to minimize the risk and see if the girl you like, likes you back!...