1 Psychology 304: Brain and Behaviour Lecture 1

2 International Service Learning Course: May-October, 2013 Psychology 417A: Psychology and Developing Societies June-August: 10 week placement in Africa. July: Mid-placement reflection sessions. ARCAAP funding available to psychology majors for % of travel costs. Application due in term 1. Application and information available on Go Global’s website after September 17. Instructor: Dr. Sunaina Assanand.

3 Introductory Concepts and Research Methods 1.What is biological psychology? 2.What is the relation between biological psychology and other disciplines of neuroscience? 3.What techniques do biological psychologists use to assess the structure and function of the nervous system?

4 Learning Objectives A list of the knowledge or abilities that you should acquire from the information discussed in each class period. Use as a diagnostic tool to monitor your progress. Create essay questions from the learning objectives to assess your mastery. Construct learning objectives for the assigned readings. They may reflect chapter headings/subheadings, terminology/key concepts, theoretical assertions, and research findings.

5 By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 1. define the term “biological psychology.” 2. describe neuroscientific disciplines related to biological psychology. 3. review the staining techniques that researchers use to examine nerve cells

6 What is biological psychology? The scientific study of the biological basis of psychological experience and behaviour. Also referred to as biopsychology, behavioural neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, psychobiology, and behavioural biology. A branch of neuroscience.

7 What is the relation between biological psychology and other disciplines of neuroscience? Biological psychology draws upon research findings from many other disciplines of neuroscience: Neurochemistry Neuroendocrinology Neuroanatomy Neuropharmacology Neuropathology Neurophysiology

8 What techniques do biological psychologists use to assess the structure and function of the nervous system? Biological psychologists use a variety of techniques to assess the structure and function of the nervous system:

9 1. Autopsy  Allows researchers to examine nervous system structures that are too difficult to access using alternative techniques.  Involves examination of the body after death.  Example: INAH-3 in gay vs. straight males (LeVay, 1991).

10 2. Histology  Allows researchers to observe the structure, organization, and connections of individual nerve cells.  Nerve tissue is “fixed” by freezing or treatment with formalin.  Once fixed, the tissue is sliced, mounted onto glass slides, stained, and examined under a microscope.  Examples:

11 Golgi stain Nissl stain Myelin stain

12 Introductory Concepts and Research Methods 1.What is biological psychology? 2.What is the relation between biological psychology and other disciplines of neuroscience? 3.What techniques do biological psychologists use to assess the structure and function of the nervous system?