1. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009
PowerPoint Presentations for
Sixth Edition
Philip G. Zimbardo Robert L. Johnson Vivian McCann
Prepared by
Beth M. Schwartz
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2. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009
Chapter 2
Biopsychology
This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law.  The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009

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What is Biopsychology?
The specialty in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and mental processes
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4. How Are Genes and Behavior Linked?
Evolution has fundamentally shaped psychological processes because it favors genetic variations that produce adaptive behavior
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5. Darwin and Natural Selection
5 years surveying the coastline of South America
Radical idea about relationship among species
All creatures, including humans, share a common ancestry
On the Origin of Species (1859)
Natural selection – Individuals best adapted to the environment are more likely to flourish and reproduce
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6. How Natural Selection Works
Environmental pressure
(changes in the environment)
Competition
(for resources)
Selection of fittest phenotype
(from among a variety of phenotypes)
Reproductive success
(genotype corresponding to fittest
phenotypes passed to next generation)
Frequency of that genotype increases
(in next generation)
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Genes and Inheritance
Genotype – An organism’s genetic makeup
Phenotype – An organism’s observable physical characteristics
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8. How Does the Body Communicate Internally?
The brain coordinates the body’s two communication systems, the nervous system and the endocrine system, which uses chemical processes to communicate with targets throughout the body
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9. The Body’s Dual Communication System
Neurons (Nerve cells): fundamental unit in the brain
Nervous system: network of neurons that extends all through the body
Endocrine system: a group of glands that operates together and in parallel with the nervous system
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The Neuron
Types of Neurons
Sensory neurons (carry messages from sense receptors towards the CNS)
Motor neurons (carry messages from CNS toward muscles and glands)
Interneurons (carry messages between nerve cells)
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Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters – Chemical messengers that relay neural messages across the synapse to the next neuron
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12. Seven Important Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
GABA
Glutamate
Endorphins
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13. Neurotransmitters Normal Function:
Produces sensations of pleasure and reward; used by CNS neurons in voluntary movement
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Lack: Parkinson’s disease, ADD/ADHD
Overabundance: Schizophrenia
Acetylcholine
GABA
Glutamate
Substances that Affect:
Cocaine, Ritalin, alcohol
Endorphins
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14. Neurotransmitters Normal Function:
Regulates sleep and dreaming, mood, pain, aggression, appetite and sexual behavior
Dopamine
Serotonin
Problems with Imbalance:
Lack: Depression,
Overabundance: certain anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
GABA
Substances that Affect:
Prozac, hallucinogenics (e.g. LSD)
Glutamate
Endorphins
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15. Neurotransmitters Normal Function:
Controls heart rate, sleep, sexual responsiveness, stress, vigilance and appetite
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Lack: depression
Overabundance: High blood pressure
Acetylcholine
GABA
Substances that Affect:
Tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers
Glutamate
Endorphins
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16. Lack: Alzheimer’s disease Overabundance: Paranoia
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Primary transmitter used by neurons carrying messages from CNS; involved in some kinds of learning and memory
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Lack: Alzheimer’s disease
Overabundance: Paranoia
Acetylcholine
GABA
Substances that Affect:
Nicotine, botox
Glutamate
Endorphins
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17. Neurotransmitters Normal Function:
Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in neurons of CNS, associated with coordination and movement
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Lack: Anxiety, epilepsy
Overabundance: depression, phobias, difficulty concentrating
Acetylcholine
GABA
Substances that Affect:
Barbiturates, tranquilizers (e.g. Valium, Librium), alcohol
Glutamate
Endorphins
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18. Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Normal Function:
Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS; involved in learning and memory
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
Problems with Imbalance:
Overabundance: schizophrenia, seizures, ALS
GABA
Glutamate
Substances that Affect:
PCP (“angel dust”)
Endorphins
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19. Pleasurable sensations and control of pain
Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Normal Function:
Pleasurable sensations and control of pain
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Lack: Lowered levels resulting from opiate addiction
Overabundance: Insensitivity to Pain
Acetylcholine
GABA
Glutamine
Substances that Affect:
Opiates: opium, heroin, morphine, methadone
Endorphins
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20. The Organization of the Nervous System
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21. 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
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Windows on 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
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Windows on 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
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24. Three Layers of the Brain
Brain stem and cerebellum
Drive vital functions, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion
Limbic system
Adds emotions, complex motives, increased memory abilities
Cerebrum
Enables reasoning, planning, creating, problem solving
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26. The Brain Stem and Cerebellum
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27. The Four Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex27
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28. Specialization of the Cerebral Hemispheres
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