(L1) INTRODUCTION TO BIO PSYCHOLOGY

• BIOPSYCHOLOGY 


  It is the scientific study of the biological processes, particularly the nervous system and brain activity, genes, and glandular processes as it relates to human behavior.
• BEHAVIOUR


  any response/reaction to stimulus whether it is normal/abnormal, learned/inherent, voluntary/involuntary, conscious or unconscious.
• Behavior learning occurs in the following: Behavioral-Learning-Conditioning, Cognitive-Beliefs, Psychodynamic, and Biological.
• Structural Theories


  Abnormalities in the structure of the brain cause mental disorders.
• In Schizophrenia, a disease can cause deterioration in the frontal cerebral cortex of the brain with enlarged ventricles and smaller thalamus.
• Biochemical Theories


  Suggests that imbalances in the levels of neurotransmitters or hormones, or poor functioning of receptors for neurotransmitters cause mental disorders.
• Neurotransmitter is a chemical substance that facilitates transmission of signals in the brain “The messenger”.
• Serotonin


  modulation of anger, mood, eating, sleep, and sexuality.

  LOW LEVEL - Depression
• Gabba Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)


  found in tranquilizers.

  Low level - Anxiety
• Dopamine


  learning, emotional arousal, and movement.

  High Level - Schizophrenia

  Low Level - Parkinson's Disease
• Substantia Nigra 


  Produces Dopamine
• Acetylcholine


  movement and memory.

  Lower Level - Alzheimer's Disease
• Genetic Theories


  Suggests that disordered genes lead to mental disorders.
• Three basic studies are used to determine the heritability of a disorder:

  (i) Family History Studies

  (ii) Twin Studies

  (iii) Adoption Studies
• Physiological Psychology


  Is the division of biopsychology that studies the neural mechanisms

  of behavior through the direct manipulation of the brain.

  
  

  Subjects: non-human

  
  

  Method Used: In controlled experiments – surgical and electrical methods of brain manipulation.

  
  

  Invasive methods (Knife cut, aspiration method, cryonic blockade, radiofrequency method).
• Psychophysiology


  study the relation: between physiological activity and psychological processes in human subjects by noninvasive physiological recording.

  
  

  Subject: Human Beings

  
  

  Method Used: Non Invasive Method (CT Scan, MRI-Structural, PET Scan Functional, IMRI-Structure and Function)
• Psychopharmacology


  Is similar to physiological psychology except that it focuses on the

  manipulation of neural activity and behavior with drugs.
• Neuropsychology 


  Is the study of the psychological effects of brain damage in human patients.
• Comparative Psychology


  Study of the evolution, genetics, and adaptiveness of behavior,

  largely through the comparative method. Comparing different species to understand evolution, genetics, and adaptiveness of behavior.
• Cognitive Neuroscience


  study of the neural mechanisms of human cognition, largely through

  the use of functional brain imaging.
• Neuroanatomy


  the study of the structure of the Nervous System
• Neurochemistry


  the study of chemical bases of neural activity.
• Neurophysiology


  the study of functions and activities of the Nervous System
• Neuropathology


  the study of Nervous System disorder
• Neuropharmacology


  the study of the effects of drugs on neural activity
• Neuroendocrinology


  the study of interactions between the Nervous System and the endocrine system
• HPA Axis: HYPOTHALAMUS → instruct/act on → PITUITARY GLAND→ to secrete hormone (stimulated)→ send other hormone to → ADRENAL GLAND → which later on produces→ Cortisol “the stress hormone”