Biological psychology

Biological Psychology Overview

Course Code: 11PSY

Syllabus Content

  • Structural Organisation of the Nervous System

    • Central Nervous System (CNS)

      • Brain and spinal cord

    • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

      • Somatic and autonomic divisions

  • Role of Functional Divisions of the PNS

    • Autonomic Nervous System

      • Divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches

    • Somatic Nervous System

      • Sensory and motor functions

  • Features of Neurons

    • Structure and function:

      • Components: dendrites, soma (cell body), axon, axon terminals, myelin sheath

    • Functions of different neuron types: sensory, motor, interneurons

  • Neural Transmission

    • Direction and mechanism of transmission

    • Electro-chemical signals, synaptic role, and neurotransmitter functions

  • Brain Anatomy and Function

    • Hindbrain: Medulla, cerebellum

    • Midbrain: Reticular formation

    • Forebrain: Hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebral cortex

    • Lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital

      • Localization of functions: Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area, etc.

  • Historical Research on Brain Structure and Function

    • Phineas Gage: Case study on personality changes post-accident

    • Roger Sperry: Split-brain research

    • Walter Freeman: Pre-frontal lobotomy research

  • Contemporary Methods in Neuroscience

    • Techniques: EEG, CT, MRI, fMRI

Pre-Lecture Preparation

  • Print and review lecture notes

  • Complete any assigned pre-lecture problems

  • Familiarize with the lecture content

  • Prepare questions to ask during the lecture

During the Lecture

  • Actively engage with the material

  • Take notes, emphasizing important points in the margins

  • Ask questions and make connections to enhance understanding

After the Lecture

  • Complete homework and practice problems

  • Optionally, rewrite notes for clarity and retention

Sociological Imagination

  • Defined by C. Wright Mills as linking personal experiences to societal issues

    • Emphasizes understanding individual troubles within a broader socio-historical context

  • Important questions to consider:

    • What is the structure of this society and its components?

    • How does this society fit into human history?

    • What diversity exists in society (power dynamics)?

Types of Neurons

  • Sensory/Afferent Neurons: Carry signals from sensory receptors to the CNS

  • Motor/Efferent Neurons: Conduct signals from the CNS to muscles and glands

  • Interneurons: Connect sensory and motor neurons, primarily within the CNS

Neural Transmission Process

  • Mechanism:

    1. Dendrites receive chemicals (neurotransmitters)

    2. Electrical impulse moves through the soma to the axon

    3. Impulse triggers neurotransmitter release at the synapse

    4. Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the next neuron's dendrites

Neurotransmitters and Their Functions

  • Adrenaline: Fight or flight response

  • Dopamine: Pleasure and reward

  • Serotonin: Mood regulation

  • GABA: Calming effects

  • Acetylcholine: Involved in learning and memory

Brain Anatomy

  • Major Divisions:

    • Hindbrain: Regulates vital functions

    • Midbrain: Coordinates movement and sensory information

    • Forebrain: Higher-level cognitive functions

Cerebral Cortex Functions

  • Divided into lobes:

    • Frontal: Complex thinking, planning

    • Parietal: Sensory perception

    • Temporal: Auditory processes and memory

    • Occipital: Visual processing

Localisation of Functions

  • Broca’s Area: Speech production

  • Wernicke’s Area: Language comprehension

  • Pre-frontal Cortex: Decision-making and impulse control

Historical Research Highlights

  • Phineas Gage: Demonstrated localization of brain function after severe injury

  • Roger Sperry: Split-brain studies showed functional differences between left and right hemispheres

  • Walter Freeman: Controversial lobotomy practices highlighted the ethical considerations in neurosurgery

Neuroimaging Techniques

  • EEG: Measures electrical activity

  • CT: Detailed structural imaging

  • MRI: High-resolution images of brain structures

  • fMRI: Monitors brain activity through blood flow and oxygen levels