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| Definition of biological psychology |
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Definition
The biological approach believes our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are a result of our physiology and genetics
Primarily concerned with two concepts;
Physiological psychology
Evolutionary psychology |
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Explains behaviour in terms of structures/functions of the brain,
bodily processes and functions.
Greatly influenced by founder William James (1884 – 1890) |
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Explains behaviour in terms of inherited biological characteristics or genetics.
Inspired by Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) |
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Physiological psychology
Anatomy of a neuron |
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Definition
A Neuron is a specialized nerve cell that receives, processes, and transmits information to other cells in the body.
Important parts:
Soma, Axons, Synaptic knob, Myelin sheath |
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Physiological psychology
define Neuron |
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Definition
Our bodys chemical messengers
10 - 12 billion neurons make up the nervous system transmitting information to/from brain/body.
80% of neurons are found in the outer layers of the brain.
3 types of neuron;
sensory,
motor
interneurons |
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The human nervous system consists of the central nervous system the brain and spinal cord and our peripheral nervous system;
Somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system |
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Brain and spinal cord.
Function to take in information (stimuli)
Process, interpret, and direct us to behave in some way |
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A branch of our PNS
somatic nervous system consists of two types of nerves.
Sensory nerves transmit information about our outside world to our CNS
Somatic nervous system also has motor nerves, which carry impulses from the CNS to the muscles of the body |
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| Divison of the PNS the ANS controls organs, glands, involuntary movements and actions |
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Response investigated by Cannon (1927)
discovered that the sympathetic branch of the ANS is responsible for flight or fight response. When threatened we release hormones (i.e. adrenaline) increases heart and breathing rate, increases circulation so that muscles get more oxygen needed for fighting or running as well as increases perception and alertness. Allows us to decide if we should fight or run. Danger over the parasympathetic branch in opposition to the sympathetic branch returns us to homeostasis. (natural balance) |
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Chemicals produced in one place (cells or organ) which act at another place.
1 helps maintain homeostasis
2 prompt growth and development
3 essential for reproduction
4 produce, stores and allows us to use energy
5 related to a range of human behaviours |
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Internal natural state / balance.
Flight or fight?
When the danger is over the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system working against the sympathetic branch returns the body back to its normal state |
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| Network of glands making and secreting hormones in the blood stream. Hypothalamus and pituitary gland direct the ANS to activate the endocrine system |
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Responsible for the speech ability (articulation)
Broca 1869
patient with head injury who was unable to talk. Brain injury to the inferior frontal gyrus in the frontal lobe. |
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| The master gland, producing the largest number of hormones in the body, also controls the release of hormones by other endocrine glands |
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Darwin
Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882)
English naturalist who wrote origin of species.
Humans evolved both physically and psychologically had a profound effect on genetics biology, psychology and religion/ |
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| Lengthy biological process through which new species emerge as a result of gradual genetic alteration. (mutations) |
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| Biological characteristics inherited from our parents and those universal innate abilities that humans share with each other |
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Biological approach looks to a physical cause behind our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. 'Physical cause' is a bodily process/function that has suffered damage, disease, accident or been genetically influenced in some way. If something has a physical cause, it is treated with a physical therapy, from a physical point of view.
Schizophrenia: the dopamine hypothesis (Iverson, 1979). Treatment: neuroleptics
Depression: treated with serotonin |
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Reductionist ; ignores cognitions
Mechanistic : ignore enviroment + social
Deterministic : ignores freewill pos & neg experiences |
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Adrenaline Central to emotions, fear, anger, aggression
Somatotrophin, Growth hormone
Insulin Regulation of the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, especially the conversion of glucose to glycogen
Oxytocin A short polypeptide hormone |
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Old and Milner (1954)
Insertion of electrodes in the hypothalamus of rats brains |
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