Biological Psychology

• The relationship between biological factors and behaviour is bidirectional
• Many physiological factors play a role in behaviour and cognition, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, and genes
• Physiology also reacts to environmental stimuli
• An interactionist approach uses different approaches (biological, cognitive, sociocultural) to get a richer understanding of behaviour
• A reductionist approach analyzes a complex behaviour by studying the most basic mechanisms that are believed to be responsible for the behaviour
• Our brain and neurochemistry play a role in human behaviour
• Our physiology is a dynamic system that may change through interaction with the environment
• Case studies of brain-damaged patients are often carried out over a long period of time in order to observe the short-term and long-term effects
• Limitations of case studies:

  1. researchers do not manipulate an independent variable, no cause-and-effect can be determined
  2. case studies are of individuals --> cannot generalize the findings to all humans
  3. study cannot be replicated due to it being naturally occurring
• Data triangulation is when more than one source of data is used
• Method triangulation is when more than one research method is used
• Researcher triangulation is when more than one researcher studies a case
• Theory triangulation is when we look at a case from more than one theoretical perspective
• Modern technology is used in psych because it provides an opportunity to study brain structures and the active brain --> allows researchers to see localization of function
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) gives a 3D picture of the brain structure. The scanner uses a magnetic field and radio waves to map the activity of hydrogen molecules
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan) is used to observe metabolic processes in the brain by detecting the gamma rays emitted indirectly by a tracer.
• PET neuroimaging is based on the assumption that areas of the high radioactivity are associated with brain activity.
• A functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) shows actual brain activity and indicates which areas of the brain are engaged in a behaviour or cognitive process
• Anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memories
• Retrograde amnesia is the loss of previously formed memories
• Localization of function is the idea that different parts of the brain are responsible for different functions.
• Synaptic pruning is the process of removing unused synapses from the brain
• Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to change as a result of one's experience
• The cerebral cortex is the folded outer part of the brain and is where most of our neurons are found
• Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter for learning and memory
• Neurogenesis is the creation of new nerve cells
• The four key areas of the brain are the brain stem, the cerebellum, the cerebrum, and the limbic system
• The four lobes in the cerebral cortex are the frontal lobe, the occipital lobe, the parietal lobe, and the temporal lobe
• The frontal lobe is associated with executive functions - planning, decision making, speech
• The occipital lobe is associated with visual processing
• The parietal lobe is associated with the perception of stimuli
• The temporal lobe is associated with auditory processing and memory
• The limbic system is the emotional center of the brain and is responsible for emotions, memory, and learning
• The amygdala plays a role in formation of emotional memory and fear responses
• The basal ganglia plays a role in habit-forming and procedural memory
• The hippocampus is responsible for transfer of short-term memory to long-term memory
• The hypothalamus is involved in homeostasis, hunger, thirst, circadian rhythm, emotion, and control of the autonomic nervous system. It also controls the pituitary gland
• The nucleus accumbens plays a role in addiction and motivation
• High levels of stimulation and numerous learning opportunities lead to an increase in the density of neural connections
• Dendritic branching is the process by which neurons form new dendritic trees and branches to create new synapses