You Actually Don't "See" This!

I hope that after today's class you're either congratulating yourself for keeping up, or kicking yourself for falling behind.  Either way, you need too get with these videos about auditory and optical processing. 

First up, vision; here's an incredibly simple and incredibly short path to understanding trichromatic theory. Feeling childish? Here's a cartoon that makes pretty easy work of comprehending how light enters the eye and works its way to the vision cortex. I'm ALWAYS of the opinion that examining the same thing from two different sources is helpful, with that in mind, check out "How the Human Eye Works".

And last but not least, for those of you truly devoted to the study of Psychology and a general understanding of life, a Darwinian take on how the eye may have evolved. (Choose either QuickTime or Real Player).

And now, for Auditory Processing, this video is a bit long, has more detail than you really need, but the animation is outrageous and sublime. Watch the entire thing for a deeper understanding of how vibrations turn into what we call "sound".

Sensation and Perception Introduction

Alright kids, by Monday you should have the I & II a and b (Vision and Hearing) completed on the outline. You should also have the questions distributed Thursday in homeroom complete.

And just in case you have some extra time on your hands, here's a collection of short essays exploring the ways in which our sense organs translate the world into messages the brain can understand.

Also, I chose this image because of it's demon-like ways.

Three Layer Brain Cake for Dessert

An incredible interactive tool for understanding where all the structures are located within the three layers.

I beg you, for all that is good and holy, click this link, fool around with clicking the different layers and structures within. Undoubtedly you'll come away with a much clearer understanding of where everything is.

Your Big Fat Brain and All It's Funky Parts

Oh Yes! It's Mr. Britt, don't play with him. I promise you that if you faithfully watch part one and part two, you WILL become one with most parts of the brain!


OK, here are some other links to bring the point home:


Visually cool (let your occipital lobe be the judge), but kinda slow video 'bout the limbic system


You already know all of this thanks to Mr. Britt, but it never ever hurts to review with different
images, so without further ado, the superstars of the cerebral cortex.


I insist that you watch this video. I already know you're gonna rib these kids. Yes they're trying to stunt in an Acura, but still, their "Brain Map Rap" is incredible, it's accurate, funny and it rhymes. I challenge you to do better (I would be sooooo proud).



And here's the truth: with the flashcards, the videos, your AMAZING AND ESTEEMED PEDAGOGUE, your text and your time there is no way you won't be a master and lord of brain anatomy!

Neurons: their messages and potential!

You can find an excellent and really detailed review of how neurons communicate at Psych Sim. It's a bit more than you actually need to know (for example, no need to get hung up on axon chemistry and all that) but provides great diagrams, interactives and a summary.

I highly reccommend that you also watch some of the following videos:


A generalized introduction, this clip doesn't get into specifics about neurons until about 1:51, but the intro will serve you well.

This is a summary that is useful if you can deal with the British spellings ("neurones" in particular drove me crazy) and the "club soul?" music.

Straight up action potential, force yourself to watch it.

Get to know your neural synapses.

An instant classic: Neurotransmitter Love Song

The more of these you can watch, the better. They're all pretty short and should help you get a better grip on your neurons.

Don't Squander Your Dopamine!

Perhaps Rick James said it best, "cocaine is a hell of a drug", but why? It impersonates one of our loveliest neurotransmitters, dopamine. This article in the NY Times examines new research on the lasting effects of drug abuse on the nervous system. The possibility that we could be sabotaging our bodies capacities for the natural dopamine highs is one of the best anti-drug messages I've heard in a long time.

Also check out this wonderful overview of the effects of Psychoactive Drugs on the Nervous System

Evolution and Natural Selection

Hi kids,
After talking with Dillon at lunch, I'm not sure how productive our conversation was. Obviously it's a topic most of us have strong feelings about. Having said that, we need to practice a method of discussion that's focused on listening as well as talking.

If anyone feels like they want to see the Carl Sagan videos again feel free:

Natural Selection or the human calendar thing.

For those of you who might be interested (from the conversation, Sarah, Garyelle, Derrick) you may want to check out some of the interviews with Richard Dawkins on youtube. WARNING: this guy is an atheist, so if that bothers you, watch at your own risk, but he does an excellent job of explaining the logic of scientific thinking and evolution.

Also, for those of you that may be in need here's the outline