The Brain Explained

This series of short films has been designed to make the complexities of the human brain as accessible as possible to students.

Currently 3 films (there are a couple more in the pipeline that will complete the pentalogy – not a word you write everyday), the series features neuroscientist Dr Guy Sutton, Director of Medical Biology Interactive – one of the most in-demand Speakers on the A-level Psychology Conference circuit.

But rather than having to trek halfway across the country to hear him talk, you can watch along in the comfort of your own classroom.

Just click the title link if you’re thinking about buying any of the films…

1. Inside the Brain

The first film begins by looking at the structure and function of the human brain.

It explains the various functions of the lobes of the cerebral cortex; the basics of the limbic system and the cerebellum, before outlining the role of neurons and neurotransmitters in communication between different parts of the brain.

2: Researching the Brain

Neuroimaging is re-writing our map of the brain and the second film looks at how our knowledge and understanding of the brain was revolutionised towards the end of the 20th Century by developments in neuroimaging, such as CT, PET, MRI, fMRI and DTI scanning.

The film then explores some of the ways neuroimaging has altered our knowledge of the brain, such as the recent revelation that language is actually processed in many different parts of the brain and then looks at how it has also opened the door to new areas of research, such as how our brain can be altered by changes in our cultural and physical environments.

3. The Brain and the Environment

Is the brain more plastic than we thought?

Recent developments in brain scanning have shown how environmental factors affect brain development and have called into question the usefulness of the age-old nature vs. nurture debate.

This film uses evidence from recent research into deprivation, verbal abuse in childhood and mother’s diet to explore the contemporary view that the interaction between environment and genetics – nature and nurture – is the key to understanding how our brains develop.

4: The Brain: Food For Thought?

Does what we eat affect how we think and learn?

The fourth film in the series looks at the recent evidence from experimental and longitudinal studies suggesting how a combination of ultra-processed food and increasingly inactive lifestyles are damaging brain development and function – and impacting on our ability to learn and remember.

So how can we use this knowledge to repair the damage?

5: Crime on the Brain?

I’m not to blame. It was my brain!

Defence teams, particularly in violent criminal cases, are increasingly using neurological evidence to argue that damage to their clients’ brain deprived them of the free will to make rational choices about their behaviour.

The final film in our series about the brain uses real-life cases to explain and evaluate three ways this evidence is being used in court: acquired brain damage; traumatic childhood experiences and genetic predisposition.

Alternatively

These films have been added to the Psychology Film Club, to which, for just a few dollars more than they would cost you to buy, you can get an annual subscription for £25 (+vat). This gives you unfettered access to our complete library of (around 100, give or take) Psychology films aimed at enhancing your students’ a-level experience.

And as an added bonus we’ve thrown in complete access to our Sociology library “for free”.

Technically.