Physiological Psychology Study Notes

Physiological Psychology: Unit 1 Introduction

  • Definition: Physiological Psychology is the study that examines the physiological correlates of behavior, integrating psychology and physiology.

  • Nature: Focuses on the relationship between biological processes and psychological phenomena; includes the study of human consciousness as it relates to the nervous system.

  • Scope: Encompasses studies on sensory processes, neural factors, hormonal influences, and the physiological determinants of basic needs and behaviors.

  • Relation with Other Branches: Includes Biopsychology, Psychopharmacology, and Neuropsychology.

Methods of Study in Physiological Psychology

  • Recording Methods:

    • Electrical and chemical stimulation

    • Stereotaxic surgery

    • Anatomical methods

    • Neuroimaging techniques:

    • CT scans

    • PET scans

    • MRI

    • fMRI

  • Basic Reasoning and Implications of Biology of Behavior: Understanding biological bases assists in elucidating human behavior.

Key Concepts in Physiological Psychology

Scope of Physiological Psychology

  • Studies physiological correlates of behavior.

  • Emphasis on central nervous system (CNS) roles in behavior, including neural and hormonal regulations influencing drives, motives, basic needs, and reduction patterns.

  • Goal: To elucidate how the brain governs learned/unlearned behaviors, emotions, and cognitive processes.

Nature of Physiological Psychology

  • Physiological processes dictate methodologies (tools) while psychology dictates the objectives (outcomes).

  • Historically, various cultures attributed emotions and thoughts to the heart; René Descartes speculated on the interrelation between mind and brain in behavior control.

Reflex Actions and Consciousness

  • Reflex Action Sequence:

    • Stimulus -> Sense Organs -> Impulses (Afferent Nerves) -> Nerve Centres -> Impulses (Efferent Nerves) -> Muscle Activity -> Behavior

  • Automatic and inherent responses that do not require consciousness.

  • Conscious involvement includes:

    • Nature and range of sensory stimulation

    • Transmission rate of nerve impulses

    • Localization of activities of automatic centers and timing

    • Physiological and psychological examination of consciousness during movement

Key Areas of Physiological Psychology

Definitions and Relationships

  • Physiology: Study of bodily functions and processes.

  • Psychology: Concerned with how beings adapt to their environments.

  • Physiological Psychology: Investigates how physiological processes relate to behavior adaptation, with a specific focus on neurological functions.

Biopsychology

  • Examines biological underpinnings of behavior through principles of biology applied to mental processes and behavior.

  • Key areas of focus include:

    • Sensation and perception

    • Motivated behaviors (hunger, thirst, sex)

    • Movement control

    • Learning and memory

    • Sleep and biological rhythms

    • Emotion

  • Referenced Work: William James emphasized the importance of grounding psychology in biological principles.

  • Fields related: Behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology.

Psychopharmacology

  • Focuses on psychological effects of medications,

  • Areas covered include:

    • Clinical benefits of psychoactive drugs

    • Side effects and behavioral toxicity

    • Drug treatment and psychological variable interactions

  • Term “Pharmacopsychology” originated from Kraepelin's framework discussing medication effects on psychology.

Neuropsychology

  • Investigates relationships between brain and behavior, diagnosing brain disorders, assessing cognitive and behavioral functioning, and creating treatments.

  • Concerned with:

    • Brain and nervous system function relating to cognition and perception.

    • Language and memory functions within the context of mental operations.

Ablation and Its Techniques

  • Ablation Definition: Surgical removal or destruction of specific brain areas.

  • Key Methods:

    • Aspiration: Use of a thin needle to remove tissue and analyze it.

    • Radio-Frequency (RF): Uses RF current to create lesions by heating brain tissue.

    • Knife Cuts: Precise cuts made to nerves or brain areas to limit surrounding damage.

    • Cryogenic Blockade: Temporarily halts neuron impulses by cooling.

    • Nerve Poisons: Chemicals injected to create lesions by selectively destroying neuron cell bodies.

Electrical Stimulation

  • Electrical stimulation of the brain provides insights into neural systems.

  • Process:

    • Initiation of action potentials leading to behavioral changes.

  • Equipment:

    • Microelectrodes: Fine wires used for targeted stimulation.

    • Macro electrodes: Larger electrodes placed on the scalp or inside the brain for broader measurements.

  • Results displayed via:

    • Oscilloscope (records electrical signals over time).

    • Ink-writing oscilloscope (polygraph records evoked potentials).

Chemical Stimulation

  • Involves inducing chemical reactions in the brain through various drug delivery methods (injections, intravenous).

  • Techniques:

    • 2-Deoxyglucose Technique (2-DG): A radioactive tracer method, involves injecting 2-DG, allowing its incorporation into brain activity, and assessing via autoradiography.

Stereotaxic Surgery

  • Used for targeting small, deep brain structures.

  • Requires:

    • Accurate identification of target regions using a stereotaxic atlas.

    • Secure positioning of the animal's head for surgery through a stereotaxic holder.

Neuroimaging Techniques

CT Scans

  • Definition: Computer tomography using X-ray technology to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.

  • Process and Benefits:

    • Rotating X-ray tube produces images while moving the patient through the gantry.

    • Reduces superimposition issues found in standard X-rays.

    • Enables 3D imaging for detailed analysis.

PET Scans

  • Definition: Measures metabolic functions through radiotracers to assess organ and tissue health.

  • Utilizes radioactive isotopes injected into the bloodstream to visualize brain function (e.g., glucose consumption).

MRI and fMRI

  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Produces high-resolution images of soft tissues, differentiating anatomical details.

  • fMRI (Functional MRI): Measures brain activity based on blood flow alterations related to neuronal activity (BOLD signal).

  • Application areas include neurological diagnoses and functional mapping of cognitive tasks.

Reasoning and Its Philosophical Implications

Basics of Reasoning

  • Aristotle's Contribution: Proposed rationality as fundamental for human reasoning.

  • Impacts of External Factors: Brain is influenced by environmental factors—healthy behaviors positively affect psychological outcomes.

Types of Reasoning

  • Divided into:

    • Deductive Reasoning: General principles applied to specific instances; limited to defined information.

    • Inductive Reasoning: Forming general conclusions based on specific observations.

  • Other types include analogical, abductive, cause-effect, critical, and decompositional reasoning—each with unique application processes within cognitive reasoning.

Neural Correlates of Reasoning

  • Studies suggest that different reasoning types activate different brain hemispheres with perceptible variances in functional processing (deductive in left hemisphere, inductive in right).

  • Overarching theory suggests reasoning as a localized, specialized brain function with implications on cognitive behavior.

Theories of Reasoning

  • Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behavior: Serve as frameworks for understanding how beliefs and intentions shape human behavior, emphasizing the connection between rational thought processes and behavioral execution.

Conclusion

  • Physiological psychology reflects the complex interactions between biological processes and psychological phenomena. The systematic study of these relationships facilitates deeper understanding and potential advances in both psychological and physiological therapies.