All lessons for the entire Brain and Neuropsychology topic. (AQA GCSE PSYCHOLOGY NEW SPEC 9-1) Can also download my FREE resource of the RAG/Checklist for this topic to assist with your planning/ scheme of work. 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.

Complete lesson powerpoints and resources for the following spec points: **Early brain development ** A basic knowledge of brain development, from simple neural structures in the womb, of brain stem, thalamus, cerebellum and cortex, reflecting the development of autonomic functions, sensory processing, movement and cognition. The roles of nature and nurture. Piaget’s stage theory and the development of intelligence/ The role of Piaget’s theory in education Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development including concepts of assimilation and accommodation. The four stages of development: sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete operational and formal operational. Application of these stages in education. Reduction of egocentricity, development of conservation. McGarrigle and Donaldson’s ‘naughty teddy study’; Hughes’ ‘policeman doll study’.