Neurobiology for Psychology

Neurobiology is the study of the biology of the nervous system. It looks at the nervous system from a single cell level - neurons and glial cells, and how they communicate with each other as well as from a structural level - looking at areas of the brain.

The nervous system controls behaviour, thought and emotions - conscious and unconscious

There are biological underpinnings for behaviour, cognition and emotional responses. Having an understanding of how the brain works at a molecular, cellular and systems level is essential for understanding psychology.

Neuropsychology:

  • study of how brain injury, lesions, diseases and disorders affect both behaviour and cognition

  • Study of the relationship between brain and behaviour in clinical settings

  • Conducvt assessments to measure and monitor cognitive impairment

  • E.g. Examine cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer’s disease

Key Systems

The Central Nervous System (CNS)

made up of the brain and spinal cord

brain is the command centre for all cognitive, emotional and physiological processes

spinal cord transmits signals between brain and rest of the body

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

made up of sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the body

Somatic Nervous System (SNS), in the PNS, controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information (External World e.g. skin)

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), in the PNS), regulates involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, breathing (Internal World). Divided into Sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest).

The Brain

the brain is the command centre for EVERYTHING - thinking, memory, perception, decision making.

neurobiology tries to align Brain Structure and Function - certain regions are associated with emotion and the pre-frontal cortex with decision making.