 Biopsychology: a field of psychology looking at biology, behaviors, and mental processes ◦ EX: how might a brain tumor on the left temporal lobe impact behavior and/or cognitive functioning  Neuroscience: interdisciplinary study brain relationship to psychological processes ◦ Key difference: interdisciplinary (may involve computer science, chemists, linguists, anthropologists, etc

Pro’s and Con’s of this field of study based on the Violence Gene article

 Genotype: the genetic blueprint of you; includes expressed and unexpressed genes  Phenotype: only expressed genes ◦ EX: the violent gene may never evolve into a phenotype ◦ EX: you may be coded for freckles, but if you don’t go into the sun, you won’t develop them

 DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid- molecules with all of your genetic markers  Chromosomes: humans have 23 pairs. These contain your DNA and instructions (the when and how) for how genes should appear.  Genes: parts of the chromosome that tell us our traits  Our genes tell us the results of puberty (height, muscle development, deepening voices, etc) BUT our chromosomes tell our body when to start these changes- you don’t begin puberty at 4 unless you have a severe chromosomal defect!