biological psychology

chromosome: long strips of genetic material

DNA: genetic material

genes: sequence of DNA that control visible characteristics

Genotype: the genetic makeup

diathesis-stress model ( how we understand diffrent outcomes from the same behaviors. )

  • theory about the interaction of genes and environment.

  • diathesis, genetic predisposition for a particular trait or behavior

  • stress

  • life experiences or environment

  • combination results in activation under the right conditions

ex) PTSD, depression , alcoholism

epigenetic

changes in gene expression (phenotype) without altering DNA sequence ( genotype)

  • gene expressions can be turned on or off

  • behavior and environment can be factors

gene expression can be changed in adulthood and perhaps passed from parents to child ( transgenerational)

  • traumatic or positive experiences could change gene expression for generations

Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system

intended to prepare you for quick actions

Many strategies activate the parasympathetic nervous system ( deep breathing, relaxation)

allostatic load

homeostasis: the set point that dictates our bodies are functioning normally

allostasis: is the body's ability to achieve stability through change. It is the short-term, adaptive process of responding to stress.

Allostatic load: occurs when the allostatic response is activated too frequently or for too long, leading to negative health outcomes

parts of the brain

cerebellum: coordination of movement and balance

cerebellum

frontal lobe :( reason, planning, emotion, problem solving , motor control, Cerebellum is here)

parietal lobe : precipitation of touch (Somatosensory), temperature ,spatial awareness.

occipital lobe:Visual processing: The primary visual cortex receives signals from the retina and processes them into conscious visual perception.

  • Image interpretation: Different regions of the occipital lobe are specialized to interpret color, motion, depth, and distance.

  • Visual memory and recognition: It also works with other parts of the brain to help you recognize and remember objects based on sight.

temporal: Hearing: The primary auditory cortex processes auditory information, such as pitch and sound frequency.

  • Language comprehension: Wernicke's area, located in the temporal lobe, is vital for understanding spoken and written language.

  • Memory formation: Structures within the temporal lobe, such as the hippocampus, are critical for forming long-term memories.

  • Emotion and object recognition: The amygdala, involved in processing emotions like fear, and other areas of the temporal lobe assist with visual recognition of objects. 

neuroplasticity on AI

Brain only vs LLM to write essays

EEG to measure brain activity

use of LLM created cognitive debt

Brain only writers

  • stronger neural connectivity

  • higher working memory

  • more executive functioning

  • more executive functioning

  • more planning

  • deeper encoding

  • more creativity.