PSY251: Biological Bases of Behaviour

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to the Biological Bases of Behaviour course, suitable for exam preparation.

Neurons

Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another and with sensory receptors.

Nervous system

A network of cells responsible for transmitting and processing information throughout the body.

Materialism

The viewpoint that behavior can be explained as a function of the nervous system, without the need for a nonmaterial mind.

Dualism

The belief that both the nonmaterial mind and the material body contribute to behavior.

Behavior

Patterns of actions or reactions of an organism in response to external or internal stimuli.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

AI tools that can assist in generating preliminary ideas, clarifying concepts, and summarizing information.

Cortical lobes

Divisions of the brain that are associated with various functions, including vision, touch, and executive functions.

Laboratory Report

An assessment component worth 45% of the overall unit grade, requiring detailed study and analysis in a lab context.

Executive functions

Cognitive processes that include decision making, planning, and motivation.

Brain size and intelligence

The relationship between the size of the brain and intelligence, noting that larger brain size does not necessarily correlate with higher intelligence.