Week 1 - intro to biological bases of behaviour

What is the focus of the study of Biological Bases of Behavior?

It studies how structures and actions of the brain and body produce behavior and experiences.

What are the three approaches to study the brain-behavior relationship?

Somatic intervention, behavioral intervention, and correlation.

Define somatic intervention.

Manipulating the brain to change behavior, such as applying stimulation to move limbs.

What does behavioral intervention involve?

Manipulating behavior to change the brain, for instance, through experiences that change the size of different brain areas.

What is correlation in the context of brain and behavior?

Understanding how brain and body co-vary, such as the parallel changes in brain size and severity of disorders.

List the levels of analysis in explaining the brain-behavior relationship.

Social level, organ level, brain region level, cellular level, molecular level, synaptic level, and circuit level.

How did Ancient Egypt view the relationship between the brain and behavior?

They thought the heart, liver, and lungs were important while the brain was often discarded.

What was Aristotle's belief about the brain?

He believed the brain was a cooling unit for the blood.

What is dualism as proposed by Descartes?

The idea that the mind and body are two distinct entities that interact at the pineal gland.

What does materialism suggest about behavior?

It claims that behavior is produced by the nervous system.

Who is associated with the statement that behavior and neural function are perfectly correlated?

Donald O. Hebb.

What was a significant contribution of William James to psychology?

He proposed that consciousness and human experience are properties of the nervous system.

What are the key texts for reading this week in PSY4013M?

Garret & Hough: Chapter 1 or Breedlove & Watson: Chapter 1.

In what century did William James publish "Principles of Psychology"?

Late 19th century.

What key concepts did Darwin contribute to the study of behavior?

Natural selection and genetic inheritance.