Psych Boost Biological Approach

• What approach do psychologists take when linking behavior to brain function?

  Biological approach
• What do psychologists refer to when discussing how the brain functions?

  A range of different processes
• What are the large structures in the brain responsible for?

  Different roles and communication
• How do hormones influence the brain's functioning?

  They are chemical signals from the body
• What are neurotransmitters responsible for?

  Controlling neural communication
• How can drugs alter behavior according to the biological approach?

  By altering neurotransmitter levels
• What role do genes play in the development of the human brain?

  They influence brain formation
• Why is evolution important in understanding the human brain?

  It explains the development of brain features
• What are the defining features of the biological approach?

  • Assumes humans are biological beings
  • Behavior explained through biology
  • Influences from biological structures, neurochemistry, genetics, and evolution
• What is biological psychology a fundamental part of?

  Your psychology course
• Why is it important to understand biopsychology early?

  It helps in understanding core ideas
• Which psychological condition is often studied in relation to the biological approach?

  OCD
• What is the influence of biological structures on behavior?

  • Endocrine system releases hormones
  • Hormones affect behavior and body functions
  • Example: Adrenal gland and adrenaline
• What does the adrenal gland release during a fight or flight response?

  Adrenaline
• What are the effects of adrenaline on the body?

  Increases blood flow to brain and muscles
• What is the most important biological structure for psychologists?

  The brain
• What connects the brain to the body?

  The brain stem
• What are the two hemispheres of the brain connected by?

  The corpus callosum
• What are the four lobes of the brain?

  Occipital, temporal, parietal, frontal
• What is the limbic system responsible for?

  Emotional center of the brain
• What does localization of function refer to?

  Certain brain areas are responsible for functions
• What does the brain stem control?

  Heart rate and breathing
• What is the role of the cerebellum?

  Coordinating muscle movements and balance
• What is the function of the occipital lobe?

  Visual perception
• What does the temporal lobe process?

  Auditory information
• What does the parietal lobe receive?

  Sensations from across the body
• What is the frontal lobe responsible for?

  Rational decision-making
• What is the role of the amygdala in the limbic system?

  Processing emotions
• What is the role of the hippocampus?

  Memory formation
• How do case studies contribute to understanding brain function?

  They reveal brain damage locations
• What is the synapse?

  The gap between two nerve cells
• How do neurotransmitters influence behavior?

  They can be excitatory or inhibitory
• What neurotransmitter is linked to feelings of well-being?

  Serotonin
• What neurotransmitter is associated with pleasure?

  Dopamine
• What do SSRIs do?

  They stop serotonin reuptake
• What did the meta-analysis by Samor reveal about SSRIs?

  They significantly reduce OCD symptoms
• What is the role of DNA in behavior?

  It instructs cell formation and function
• What is a genotype?

  The genetic code for traits
• What is a phenotype?

  The physical expression of traits
• How do psychologists study genetic inheritance of behavior?

  By comparing family members and twins