biological approach

• How do our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors relate to biology?

  They have a physical basis in biology
• What does the biological approach examine?

  Central nervous system, genes, neurochemistry
• What is the biological approach in psychology?

  Everything psychological is firstly biological
• What are the two main parts of the nervous system?

  Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
• What does the central nervous system consist of?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What does the peripheral nervous system consist of?

  Nerves
• What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

  Autonomic and somatic nervous systems
• What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

  Rest and digest
• What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

  Fight or flight
• What are genes?

  Biological units of DNA inherited from parents
• How do genes interact with environmental influences?

  They contribute to the nature vs nurture debate
• What is neurochemistry?

  Chemicals active in the brain affecting behaviors
• What does serotonin affect?

  Happiness
• What does adrenaline affect?

  Fight or flight reactions
• Who is associated with evolutionary psychology?

  Charles Darwin
• What principle is evolutionary psychology based on?

  Natural selection
• What can damage to the nervous system change?

  Behaviour physically and mentally
• What does biological psychology emphasize?

  Processes within the body affect psychological functioning
• What do behavioral psychologists argue about human actions?

  They have a physical basis in brain structure
• What does determinism in behavior refer to?

  Influence of hormones
• What does neuroscience describe?

  Anatomical structures in the nervous system
• What is the study of cells and their mechanisms in the nervous system called?

  Neuroscience
• What does behavior refer to in biological terms?

  Gradual changes in inherited characteristics
• What cognitive functions are magnified by biological processes?

  Memory, emotions, impulse control
• What is priming in psychology?

  Subliminal processing
• What does the brain stem control?

  Breathing, consciousness, blood pressure
• How are the two hemispheres of the brain functionally different?

  One side is dominant for specific functions
• How many chromosomes do humans have?

  46 chromosomes
• How many genes are estimated to be in humans?

  20,000 - 25,000 genes
• What is the human genome project aimed at?

  Creating medical opportunities
• What is a genotype?

  Individual's genetic makeup
• What does epigenetics refer to?

  Interaction between genes and environment
• What is a phenotype?

  Physical characteristics of an individual
• How much genetic similarity do identical twins share?

  100% of their genes
• How much genetic similarity do fraternal twins share?

  50% of their genes
• What is the significance of the Jim twins study?

  Demonstrates genetic and environmental influences
• What is the chance of having a boy or girl?

  50/50 chance
• How do sex hormones affect behavior?

  Influence muscle mass and menstrual cycle
• What does synaptic transmission involve?

  Pre-synaptic neuron and synaptic cleft
• Why is evolution important in psychology?

  It helps understand the biological approach