Intro to Biopsychology

Biopsychology Definition

  • Biopsychology: The scientific study of the biology of behavior in psychology. It is also known as biological psychology, psychobiology, behavioral biology, and behavioral neuroscience.

Biopsychological Perspective

  • Core Concept: All behavior results from interactions among three factors:

    • Genetic Endowment: Results from evolution via natural selection

    • Experience: Individual life experiences

    • Perception of the Current Situation: Contextual understanding of one's environment

Integrative Discipline

  • Biopsychology synthesizes knowledge from various neuroscience fields to understand behavior.

Key Neuroscience Areas:

  • Neuroanatomy: Study of brain structure

  • Neurophysiology: Study of brain function

  • Neurochemistry: Study of chemical processes in the brain

  • Neuroendocrinology: Study of hormones and their effects

  • Neuropathology: Study of brain disorders

  • Neuropharmacology: Study of drug effects on the nervous system

Research Approaches in Biopsychology

  • Research Subjects:

    • Human Subjects: Pros: human brains, ability to follow instructions, affordable; Cons: variability, macro-level data issues

    • Nonhuman Subjects: Pros: controlled environments, simpler brains, and micro-level analysis; Cons: higher costs, nonhuman brains

  • Research Design Types:

    • Experiments: Involves controlled manipulation of variables

    • Designs include between-subjects and within-subjects

    • Variables include independent, dependent, and confounding variables

    • Nonexperiments: Researchers do not control the variables of interest

    • Includes quasi-experimental designs and case studies

Subfields of Biopsychology

  • Distinct disciplines are presented, yet overlap exists.

    • Physiological Psychology: Focus on neural mechanisms via animal studies

    • Comparative Psychology: Examines behavior evolution and adaptiveness in species

    • Psychopharmacology: Studies drug effects on behavior

    • Cognitive Neuroscience: Focuses on cognition mechanisms

    • Neuropsychology: Examines brain damage effects on behavior

    • Psychophysiology: Involves physiological-measure recordings related to psychology

Physiological Psychology Techniques

  • Lesion Methods: Removal/damage of brain structures

    • Types: unilateral, bilateral; methods include aspiration, knife cuts, and reversible techniques (e.g., cold-induced)

  • Electrical Stimulation: Activation of brain structures to observe resultant behavior

  • Physiological Recordings: Methods to record electrical activity within or outside cells

Psychopharmacology Strategies

  • Study of drugs on behavior in humans and nonhumans.

    • Administer drugs to increase/decrease neurotransmitter effects

    • Routes of Administration: Inhaled, oral, injected, cannula (directly into brain)

  • Locating Neurotransmitters:

    • Immunocytochemistry: Utilizes antibodies to label neuroproteins

    • In situ Hybridization: Uses labeled binders for RNA

  • Measuring Chemical Activity:

    • Cerebral Microdialysis: Implanting a tube to analyze chemicals outside cells

    • Radiotracers: For imaging after administering a specific target drug

Neuropsychology Practices

  • Investigates the psychological impacts of brain damage in human patients.

    • Uses tests in a battery approach (time-consuming, refines diagnosis)

    • Components of Test Battery:

    • Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) for IQ measurement

    • Language lateralization tested via sodium amytal or dichotic listening

    • Memory assessments: short- or long-term

    • Frontal-lobe function tested using tools like the Wisconsin Card Sorting task

Psychophysiology Overview

  • Studies the relationship between physiological activity and psychological processes.

    • Non-invasive physiological recording methodologies are employed during behaviors

    • Five Key Measures:

    • EEG (Electroencephalography): Brain electrical activity

    • EMG (Electromyography): Muscle tension measurements

    • Electrooculography: Eye movement assessments

    • Skin Conductance Measurements

    • Cardiovascular Activity (ECG): Heart activity recordings

Cognitive Neuroscience Focus Areas

  • Examines neural mechanisms of cognition using functional brain imaging techniques.

  • Key Techniques:

    • PET (Positron Emission Tomography): Injection of a radioactive substance while performing tasks

    • fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging): No substance is injected, scans for oxygenated blood during task performance

Comparative Psychology Techniques

  • Studies behavior evolution and genetics in laboratory species.

  • Methodologies Include:

    • Gene Knockout/Replacement: Manipulating genes in subjects

    • Behavioral Research Methods: Investigating behaviors like eating, drinking, anxiety, aggression, and sexual behavior

    • Learning Experiments: Employs open-field tests, sexual behavior observations, and classical/operant conditioning methods

Korsakoff’s Syndrome

  • A condition marked by severe memory loss, often observed in alcoholics (demonstrated through Jimmie G.'s case).

  • Hypothesis for Cause: Alcohol consumption

  • Converging Operations

    • Seen in non-alcoholic malnourished individuals

    • Thiamine-deficient rats exhibit similar memory deficits

  • New Theory: Indicates that memory loss is due to thiamine deficiency, exacerbated by alcohol.

  • Treatment Options: Administration of Vitamin B1 and counseling to cease alcohol consumption.