Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Chapter 3 Biopsychology
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 What is Biopsychology? What is Biopsychology? Biopsychology – The specialty in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and the environment. Neuroscience – Interdisciplinary field that focuses on the brain and its role in psychological processes.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evolution has fundamentally shaped psychological processes because it favors genetic variations that produce adaptive behavior. How Are Genes and Behavior Linked?
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 How Are Genes and Behavior Linked? Innate – Inborn; present at birth; part of the organism’s biological heritage. Evolution – The gradual process of biological change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evolution and Natural Selection Natural selection – The driving force behind evolution, by which the environment “selects” the fittest organisms.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Genes and Inheritance Genotype – An organism’s genetic makeup. Phenotype – An organism’s observable physical characteristics.
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Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA DNA – A long, complex molecule that encodes genetic characteristics. Genes – The functional units of a chromosome composed of nucleotides.
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Sex chromosomes – The X and Y chromosomes that determine our physical sex characteristics. Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA Chromosomes – Tightly coiled threadlike structures along which the genes are organized.
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Genetic Explanations for Psychological Processes Genes influence our psychological characteristics as well as our physical traits. Nature vs Nurture
Nature GENETICS - The characteristics a person inherits - Biological makeup Nurture ENVIRONMENT - Family, culture, education, and individual differences
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The body’s two communication systems, the nervous system and the endocrine system, both use chemical messengers to communicate with targets throughout the body. How Does the Body Communicate Internally?
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The Structure of a Neuron
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Neuron Types of Neurons: Sensory (afferent) neurons - carry messages from sense receptors towards the brain. Motor (efferent) neurons - carry messages from the brain toward muscles and glands. Interneurons - carry messages between nerve cells.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Neural Impulse Resting potential - Electrical charge of the axon when in its inactive state. Action potential - The neuron fires; the charge travels down the axon and causes neurotransmitters to be released. ALL-OR-NONE!!!
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Neural Impulse Synapse - The gap between neurons.
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The Neural Impulse Synaptic transmission - Relaying information across the synapse by means of chemical neurotransmitters.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters – Chemical messengers that relay neural messages across the synapse. ANIMATION
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Seven Important Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Endorphins Norepinephrine GABA Glutamate
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007NeurotransmittersDopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Endorphins Norepinephrine GABA Glutamate Normal Function: Produces sensations of pleasure and reward; used by CNS neurons in voluntary movement Deficit: Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, memory problems, ADHD Surplus: Schizophrenia, drug addiction
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Endorphins Norepinephrine GABA Glutamate Normal Function: Regulates sleep, mood, appetite, and sexual behavior Deficit: Depression, anger, and mood disorders Surplus:Mania
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Endorphins Norepinephrine GABA Glutamate Normal Function: Used for arousal in the flight/fight response, plays a role in learning and memory retrieval Deficit: Low energy, depression Surplus:Anxiety
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Endorphins Norepinephrine GABA Glutamate Normal Function: Stimulates muscle contractions; involved in memory Deficit: Lack of muscle movement, paralysis, Alzheimer’s disease Surplus: Muscle spasms
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Endorphins Norepinephrine GABA Glutamate Normal Function: Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter Deficit: Anxiety, seizures Surplus: Sleep and eating disorders
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Endorphins Norepinephrine GABA Glutamate Normal Function: Pleasurable sensations, reduction of stress, and control of pain Deficit: Chronic pain Surplus: Artificial highs; body might not give warning about pain
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Endorphins Norepinephrine GABA Glutamate Normal Function: Primary excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning and memory, movement Deficit:none Surplus: Associated with epileptic seizures
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Plasticity Plasticity – Ability of the nervous system to adapt or change as the result of experience; sometimes helps the nervous system adapt to physical damage.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Glial Cells Glial cells: Provide structural support for neurons Help in forming new synapses Form myelin sheath
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Organization of the Nervous System Nervous system Peripheral nervous system (PNS) Central nervous system (CNS) Autonomic nervous system Somatic nervous system Sympathetic nervous system Parasympathetic nervous system
Two Divisions of the Nervous System Central Nervous System (CNS) Made up of the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Nerves branching out from the spinal cord.
Two Divisions of the PNS Somatic NS – controls voluntary behaviors Autonomic NS – controls involuntary behaviors Sympathetic – “fight or flight” Parasympathetic – “rest and digest”
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Endocrine System (the body’s chemical messenger system)
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Endocrine System Pituitary gland “Master gland” Produces hormones influencing the secretions of all other endocrine glands. Produces hormones that influences growth. Video Clip - Gigantism
The Endocrine System Thyroid gland - Affects metabolism Hypothyroidism – makes people feel lazy and lethargic. Hyperthyroidism – causes people to lose weight and be overactive.
The Endocrine System Adrenal glands - Release adrenaline into the bloodstream. - Help trigger the “fight or flight” response. Causes heart rate and breathing to increase Heightens emotions (fear, anxiety)
The Endocrine System Sex glands: Ovaries - Produce eggs and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Testes - Produce sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone.
Hormones vs Neurotransmitters Endocrine System - Glands release hormones into the bloodstream. Nervous System - Neurons release neurotransmitters to either excite or inhibit other neurons.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 How Does the Brain Produce Behavior and Mental Processes? The brain is composed of many specialized modules that work together to create mind and behavior.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Brain EEG (electroencephalograph) – Device for recording brain waves, typically by electrodes placed on the scalp. Brain waves – Patterns of electrical activity generated by the brain.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Brain Lesions – Tissue damage that results from disease or injury.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Brain Brain scans – Recordings of the brain’s electrical or biochemical activity at specific sites. CT scanning (computerized tomography) PET scanning (positron emission tomography) MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Three Layers of the Brain Brain stem and cerebellum ~Drive vital functions, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion. medulla, pons, reticular formation, thalamus Limbic system ~Adds emotions, complex motives, increased memory abilities. hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus Cerebrum ~Enables reasoning, planning, creating, problem solving.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Three Layers of the Brain Brain stem and cerebellum ~Drive vital functions, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion. medulla pons reticular formation thalamus
Medulla Oblongata Controls breathing and heartbeat.
Pons Regulates brain activity during sleep and dreaming.
Reticular Formation Responsible for arousal of the sympathetic nervous system. Keeps the brain alert & attentive - Reticular Activating System (RAS)
Thalamus Relay Station Sends messages from the body to the appropriate part of the brain.
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Cerebellum Responsible for balance and motor movement.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Brain Stem and Cerebellum Thalamus Pons Cerebellum Medulla Brain stem
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Three Layers of the Brain Limbic system ~Adds emotions, complex motives, increased memory abilities. hippocampus amygdala hypothalamus
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Limbic System Hippocampus – Involved in establishing long-term memories.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Limbic System Amygdala – Involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Limbic System Hypothalamus – Serves as the brain’s blood- testing laboratory, constantly monitors blood to determine the condition of the body.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Four Lobes Frontal lobe (thinking, planning, decision- making) Parietal lobe (touch sensations and spatial relationships) Occipital lobe (visual signals) Temporal lobe (processes sounds, including hearing and speech)
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Frontal Lobe Motor Cortex Controls voluntary movement
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Parietal Lobe Somatosensory Cortex Sensations and touch
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Occipital Lobe Visual Cortex Visual processing area
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Temporal Lobe Auditory Cortex Helps to make sense of sounds
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Language Broca’s Area Producing language Wernicke’s Area Understanding language Aphasia Loss of speech caused by brain damage
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Brain Corpus Callosum The band of nerve cells that connects the two hemispheres.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Cerebrum Cerebrum – Topmost layer of the brain; the bulbous cap over the limbic system. Cerebral cortex – Thin gray-matter covering of the cerebrum; carries on thinking and perceiving. Cerebral hemispheres – The two walnut shaped halves of the cerebrum, connected by the corpus callosum.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Cerebral Dominance Cerebral dominance – Tendency of each brain hemisphere to exert control over different functions.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Cerebral Hemispheres Left Hemisphere Right Hemisphere Logical Mathematical Memory for words and numbers Word recognition Positive emotion Creativity Facial recognition Memory for shapes and music Spatial interpretation Negative emotion
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Brain Epilepsy – Brain disorder that is often marked by seizures and loss of consciousness; caused by out- of-control electrical activity in the brain.
Split-Brain Operations A treatment option for those suffering from grand mal seizures. Separating the brain hemispheres by severing the corpus callosum lessons the number and severity of seizures. Mr. Split-Brainy
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