The 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 neurotransmitters
• What role do genes play in the biological approach?

  They influence the formation of the brain
• 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 the focus of biological psychology in psychology courses?

  It is a fundamental part of the course
• What is the largest biological structure influencing behavior?

  The endocrine system
• What do hormones released by glands do?

  Act as chemical messengers
• What hormone is released during the fight or flight response?

  Adrenaline
• How does adrenaline affect the body during emergencies?

  Increases blood flow to brain and muscles
• What are sex hormones linked to in terms of behavior?

  Sexual characteristics and aggression
• What is the primary function of the brain?

  Center of conscious and unconscious processes
• What connects the brain to the body?

  The brain stem
• 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 does the occipital lobe process?

  Visual perception
• What is the function of the temporal lobe?

  Processing 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 significance of case studies in biological psychology?

  They identify brain function locations
• What was the case study of Tan related to?

  Speech production difficulties
• What area of the brain was damaged in Tan's case?

  Broca's area
• What do neurotransmitters do at the synapse?

  Transmit signals between neurons
• What happens when an action potential reaches the axon terminal?

  Neurotransmitters are released
• What are the two types of neurotransmitter influences?

  Excitatory and inhibitory
• What is dopamine associated with?

  Reward and pleasure
• What neurotransmitter is linked to well-being?

  Serotonin
• What is the role of SSRIs in treating depression?

  They inhibit serotonin reuptake
• What does the concordance rate measure?

  Likelihood of disorder in relatives
• What is the prevalence rate of OCD in the general population?

  2%
• What is the concordance rate for first-degree relatives of OCD patients?

  10%
• What is the concordance rate for identical twins with OCD?

  68%
• What is the concordance rate for non-identical twins with OCD?

  31%