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Psychology 310

Page 1

  • Tools Used:

    • Made with Goodnotes

Page 2: What is Biopsychology?

Overview

  • Biopsychology: Study of biological mechanisms of behavior and mental processes. Focuses on the role of the nervous system, especially the brain, in explaining behavior and mind.

  • Explores the interaction of Biology and Psychology:

    • Psychology: Scientific study of behavior and mental processes in animals and humans.

    • Biopsychology: Examines biological causes of behavior and mental processes.

  • Other names: Biological psychology, behavioral neuroscience, physiological psychology, neuropsychology, psychobiology.

Common Myths About the Brain

  • 10% Brain Myth: Humans do not only use 10% of their brains; this myth is rooted in misunderstandings of brain research.

    • Historical experiments showed animals could perform functions with significant brain tissue removed, leading to incorrect conclusion.

    • Modern research clarifies that all parts of the brain serve functions.

    • Localization of function: Specific psychological and behavioral processes are connected to specific brain regions.

Key Areas of Focus

  • Sensation and perception

  • Motivated behavior (e.g., hunger, thirst, sex)

  • Control of movement

  • Learning and memory

  • Sleep and biological rhythms

  • Emotion

Brain Organization Principles

  • Localization of Function: Different brain areas are responsible for different functions.

    • Example: Damage in specific regions affects specific abilities (memory, face recognition, etc.).

Page 3: A Scientific Model of the Universe

Central Philosophical Assumptions

  • Materialism (Physicalism):

    • Assumes everything in the universe is physical (matter and energy) governed by physical laws.

    • Mental activities are physical processes in the brain.

  • Determinism:

    • Belief that all events, including human behavior, stem from prior causes external to the will.

    • Suggests free will is an illusion; behavior is influenced by upbringing, culture, genetics.

Importance of Understanding These Assumptions

  • Awareness of physicalism and determinism is crucial for understanding biopsychological research implications.

Page 4: History of Biopsychology

Overview

  • Biopsychology as a field is relatively new but has roots in early philosophical discussions.

Key Contributors

  • William James: Advocated for grounding psychology in biology.

  • Donald Hebb: Introduced connections between brain processes and complex psychological functions.

Early Views

  • Ancient philosophers (e.g., Aristotle, Plato) had misconceptions about the mind's location (often thought to be in the heart).

  • Hippocrates was a pioneer in attributing mental functions to the brain.

Milestones in Biopsychology

  • Phineas Gage Case: Early evidence connecting frontal lobe damage to personality changes, influencing the development of biological psychology.

Page 5: Historical Developments

Medieval Contributions

  • Avicenna: Discussed neuropsychological disorders, linking them to specific brain areas.

Renaissance Influence

  • Andreas Vesalius: Founder of modern anatomy; corrected misconceptions about brain anatomy.

  • René Descartes: Proposed the reflexive theory and the dualism of mind and body.

19th Century Discoveries

  • Localization of Function: Early researchers mapped brain areas to specific behaviors.

  • The case of Phineas Gage: Provided critical insights into the role of the frontal lobe in personality and behavior.

Page 6: Monumental Discoveries

Neuron and Communication

  • Neuron Discovery: Identified as the brain's structural unit, leading to the neuron doctrine.

  • Golgi and Cajal: Their work on neuronal structure and function secured them a Nobel Prize.

Important Discoveries

  • Neural communication mechanisms were clarified in the 20th century, leading to the understanding of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine.

Page 7: Modern Brain Imaging Techniques

Advances in Brain Imaging

  • EEG: Assessed overall brain activity, useful in sleep studies.

  • CT/MRI: Provided images of brain structure and activity, aiding in medical diagnoses.

  • fMRI: Offers real-time tracking of brain activity related to behavior and emotions.

Implications of Imaging Studies

  • Vital for linking brain structures to psychological and behavioral outcomes.

Page 8: The Case of Phineas Gage

Overview

  • Phineas Gage's accident providing insight into brain function and personality.

Significance of Gage's Case

  • Gage's personality changes post-accident offered clear evidence of the role of the frontal lobes in shaping character and decision-making.

Page 9: Legacy of Phineas Gage

Summary of Impact

  • Gage's journey provides foundational knowledge for modern studies on brain-behavior relationships.

  • His case is a key teaching example in psychology and neuroscience classes.

Page 10: Divisions of Biopsychology

Integrative Approach

  • Biopsychology encompasses various neuroscience disciplines:

    • Neurophysiology, Neuroanatomy, Neuropharmacology, Developmental Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational Neuroscience, Neurology, Social Neuroscience, Educational Neuroscience.

Importance of Interdisciplinary Study

  • Collaboration among these fields enhances understanding of the biological foundations of behavior and mental processes.