Chapter 1: Introduction to Biological Psychology

The mind-body Issue WHAT EXACTLY IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MIND AND THE PHYSICAL BODY (BRAIN)??

Dualism  Dualism is the view that the mind exists as a separate and distinct entity from the physical self.  This view goes back as far as Socrates and Plato  Was rigorously defended by philosopher Rene Descartes in 17 th Century France  This view has fallen from acceptance in the larger scientific community

Monism  Monism is the view that the mind is what the brain ‘does’.  3 versions of monism:  Materialism – only the physical world exists, all mental experiences can be explained by physical reactions  Mentalism – the opposite of materialism, only mental events exist & the physical world is dependent on our belief in it  Identity position – the physical world exists, but we have mental experiences that are different than the physical activity responsible for them

Genetics in a nutshell  Basis of what we know today all stems from the work of Gregor Mendel in the 1800’s  Pertinent vocabulary: genes, chromosomes, DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, recessive.  Some traits are sex-linked, all others are autosomal  Sex limited genes = both sexes have the gene, but it is only active in one of the sexes.  Variation happens through recombination and mutation

Heritability  How likely is it that a given characteristic arises due to genetics?  Twin Studies  Adoption Studies  Still a very difficult question to answer –  ‘Environmental’ influences start before birth  Heritable traits (genetic predisposition) can be markedly influenced by environmental factors = this is no black & white issue

Are behaviors heritable??  Consider mating behaviors in birds or stress responses in rats.  Fairly strong evidence that at least tendencies towards certain behaviors are heritable in humans.

Evolution & Behavior 1. Evolution is: the change in genetic variation over time 2. Natural selection (& survival of the fittest) vs. artificial selection 3. The ONLY thing that determines if a trait is more likely to be passed on is if it confers a higher likelihood of producing viable offspring  Use, survival (unless before reproduction), or ‘goodness’ of a trait have nothing to do with it.

 Sociobiology   This is the study of the evolution and biological determinants of social behavior (in animals and humans)  The kinds of research questions a Sociobiologist might ask:  Altruism?  Incest  Imprinting

Animal Use in Research in the U.S.  Is taken very seriously, at least in academic settings.  Any college employing animal researchers must have an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee if they want government funds (and they all do).  There are also voluntary, higher levels of requirements the IACUC can impose to get even more $$.  The public has had an incredible impact on the private sector’s use of animals in product testing.

Next Week: CHAPTER 2 Anatomy!!