Assumptions

• Evolutionary Influences - the theory of evolution has been used to explain the development of the mind and human behaviour.

  This is based on Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection:

  • only a small proportion of each generation survives to reproduce
  • offspring aren't identical, so each generation has a degree of variation
  • some characteristics give an advantage over others to survive and reproduce
• Evolutionary Influences - Human Behaviour: Attraction

  Men prefer women with wider hips, narrow waists, full lips and large eyes; all features attributing to a woman's fertility and youth
• Neurotransmitters - the whole nervous system is made of interconnected neurons that convey messages through a synapse. Those messages are passed from neuron to neuron through neurotransmitters, allowing the brain to process thoughts and memories.
• Neurotransmitters - Human Behaviour: Different neurotransmitters have different effects e.g high levels of dopamine can lead to schizophrenia, low levels of dopamine and serotonin can lead to depression.
• Localisation of brain function - The cerebral cortex is divided into four areas: frontal (thinking and creativity), parietal (sensory information) , occipital (vision) and temporal (memory and auditory).
• Localisation of brain function - Link to human behaviour: Language.

  Broca studied 8 patients with language problems, all with damage to an area in the posterior portion of the frontal lobe. Now named 'Broca's Area', it's associated with speech production.