1 Chapter One Introducing Biological Psychology

2 Biological Psychology as an Interdisciplinary Field Includes the study of psychology, biology, physiology, biochemistry, the neural sciences and related fields. Biological Psychology: the study of relationships between the nervous system and behavior, which can be circular. Example: high testosterone may produce aggression (biology affects behavior), but watching your favorite sports team lose may reduce testosterone levels (behavior affects biology).

3 Highlights in the Biological Psychology Timeline Prehistoric (7000 yrs ago): Trepanation Courtesy San Diego Museum of Man

4 Highlights in the Biological Psychology Timeline Egyptians (5000 yrs ago): Brain discarded during mummification, Courtesy San Diego Museum of Man but… modern-sounding descriptions of structure and the effects of brain injury.

5 Greek Thinkers (4 th century BC): Where is our intellect? Hippocrates: brain Aristotle: heart Herophilus: ventricles Galen ( C.E.) made many accurate anatomical observations, but continued the misunderstanding of the role of the ventricles.

6 Zeitgeist of 17th to 19 th century Mechanism: the universe viewed as an enormous machine all natural processes are mechanical (ie, they have parts that work together in a predictable manner) Therefore, natural processes can be measured and explained logically

7 René Descartes ( ) Continued the notion that fluids produced movement. Withdrawal Reflex Nerves sense heat or pain and opened “pores” in the brain. Pores release animal spirits which flow through hollow tubes in the body. Reservoirs in the muscles would fill with these spirits, causing the foot to pull away from the fire.

8 The mind-body question: Dualism: The belief that the body is physical but the mind (or soul) is not. Monism: The belief that the mind is the product of activity in the nervous system. René Descartes ( )

9 The mind-body problem: Pre-Descartes mind influences body, but not vice versa; the puppeteer and puppet Descartes: a mutual interaction Mind and body both influence each other Pineal gland The site of the mind-body interaction René Descartes ( )

10 The Brain Sciences Advanced Quickly ( ) Electricity established as the mode of communication used by the nervous system Galvani’s Lab

11 Early 1800s: Sensory and motor information travels in separate pathways i.e., info is only sent in one direction The Brain Sciences Continue to Sound More Modern

12 Johannes Muller ( ) Doctrine of specific nerve energies stimulation  specific nerve  sensation Importance: Supported the idea that different areas of the brain have different functions Localization of functions The Brain Sciences Continue to Sound More Modern

13 The Brain Sciences Continue to Sound More Modern Phrenology (popular from 1820 to 1850) the correlation of bumps on the skull with personal traits, was misguided in most respects, but was modern in its acceptance that functions may be localized in the brain.

14 The Neuron Doctrine Nervous system comprised a vast array of independent, separate nerve cells. Santiago Ramón y Cajal ( ) Proposed Neuron Doctrine (Nobel prize) From Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Histologie du systeme nerveux de l’homme et des vertebres. Paris: A. Maloine, 1909–1911

15 The Brain Sciences Continue to Sound More Modern Nervous system acted as a hierarchy. Simpler processing is carried out by lower levels. Sophisticated processing is carried out by the cortex.

16 Important Concepts ( that we take for granted today) 1. The nervous system (esp. brain) controls behavior 2. Monistic, mechanistic outlook 3. The nervous system communicates with electricity 4. Sensory and motor information travels in separate pathways 1. (and that each pathway is responsible for only a certain type of perception or action)

17 Important Concepts ( that we take for granted today) 5. Nervous system is divided into independent, separate nerve cells 6. Functions may be localized in the brain. 7. Nervous system acts as a hierarchy

18 Diverse Research Methods Are Used in Biological Psychology Histology Autopsy Imaging Recording Stimulation Lesion Pharmacological methods Genetic methods

19 Histology: The Study of Microscopic Structures and Tissues Tissue to be viewed must be: fixed by freezing or formalin. sliced thinly by a microtome.

20 Histology: The Study of Microscopic Structures and Tissues Stains are applied to highlight structures of interest: single cells (Golgi). cell bodies (Nissl). pathways (i.e., axons) (horseradish peroxidase). antibodies (proteins found in a particular cell).

21 Golgi Stain Nissl Stain Histology Examples Myelin Stain

22 Autopsy Example: Simon LeVay and INAH-3

23 Brain Imaging Example - Brain Structure Computerized Tomography (CT) use x-ray technology to view brain structure © Ribotsky/Custom Medical Stock Photo

24 Brain Imaging Example - Brain Activity Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Measures brain activity based on the utilization of radioactive glucose or oxygen. Courtesy Dept. of Energy Office of Public Affairs

25 Recording - Massed Activity Electroencephalogram (EEG) Scalp electrodes provide information about the electrical activity of large populations of neurons. Used to study states of consciousness and seizures. Copyright © 2004 Allyn and Bacon

26 Recording Techniques - Single Unit Activity Recording electrodes Records activity from a single cell Copyright © 2004 Allyn and Bacon

27 Stimulation The goal of stimulation is to discover the function of an area. Stimulation can be applied: during neurosurgery. through surgically implanted electrodes.

28 Examples of Stimulation Research Delgado uses electrical stimulation to control his fighting bull. “Ratbots” respond to stimulation by changing direction. From Jose Delgado

29 Lesions The results of lesions can be used to determine the function of an area. Lesions may be: naturally occurring artificially produced heating the tips of surgically implanted electrodes chemicals that kill cell bodies. temporarily produced by cooling an area of the brain.

30 Pharmacological Methods Drugs: Administered to subject, behavior/brain activity monitored Microdialysis: Chemical samples are removed through micropipettes. Identify chemicals present in a very small area.

31 Genetic Methods Twin Studies Monozygotic (identical) vs. dizygotic (fraternal) twins Concordance rates Genetically Modified Animals Knockout genes

32 Human Ethical Guidelines No coercion Informed consent No harm Confidentiality

33 Non-Human Animal Ethical Guidelines Clear purpose and necessity Excellent housing, food and health care Minimal pain and suffering

34 Research Ethics Oversight Federal guidelines Professional societies recommendations by (APA, Society for Neuroscience) Institutional review boards Human Subjects Committee IACUC Journals