1. General Psychology Biopsychology Palahang H, Ph.D. The Department of Psychiatry The University of Medical Science

2. Biological Psychology: Core Concepts At the individual level, Genetic Codes play a role in the unique individual characteristics Genotype—unique genetic code inherited by the individual from biological parents

3. Biological Psychology: Core Concepts Phenotype—expression of the genotype in physical and psychological characteristics –Impacted by biological and environmental forces Biological forces: disease, toxins, injury Environmental forces: access to health care, access to stimulation from the environment

4. The Individual: Chromosomes, Genes, and Inherited DNA Why are some people shorter than others? Why are some children born with Down’s syndrome?

5. The Individual: Chromosomes, Genes, and Inherited DNA  Chromosomes—  the structure that carries the genetic material (DNA)  23 pairs— half contributed by the biological mother and half by the biological father Chromosomes are made up of genes—with specific DNA codes. –Each gene is responsible for some characteristic of the organism

6. The Individual: Chromosomes, Genes, and Inherited DNA One pair of chromosomes determines our biological sex –The biological mother contributes the X –The biological father contributes either another X or a Y chromosome. XX= female (more female fetuses survive than males) XY=male

7. The Individual: Chromosomes, Genes, and Inherited DNA Relationship between genotype and characteristics and behaviors is complex; –Inheriting a genotype linked to some psychopathology does not mean individuals will experience that pathology (e.g. schizophrenia). –Impact of the pathology is frequently minimized by alterations in the environment (e.g. corrective lenses).

8. The Central Nervous System

9. The Human Brain

10. Brain Structures and Functions Brain stem –First to evolve –Life-sustaining systems: breathing, pulse rate –Similar to brains of reptiles Cerebellum –Coordination of “automatic” movements (walking, dancing) –Processing other temporal stimuli (e.g. music)

11. Brain Structures and Functions Limbic system –Emotion, memories, desires –Functions to help us remember highly emotional experiences –Contains the hypothalamus—control center for many functions Cerebral cortex –Last to evolve –Linked to higher mental processes –Different areas or “lobes” control different functions

12. Cerebral Cortex: Higher Mental Functions

13. Frontal Lobe “Executive functions”—Planning, controlling, recognize future outcomes from current actions etc., Broca’s area of the frontal lobe—production of complex language Motor functions—controls voluntary muscle groups Alcohol likely decreases the functioning of this part of the brain related to impulse control (Amen, 1999)

14. Parietal Lobe Receives input from senses Distributes sensory information to other parts of the brain Supports selective attention to particular sensory information With parietal lobe damage, attention may be disrupted (Vecera & Flevaris, 2004)

15. Occipital Lobe  Visual information—color, brightness, motion, etc.,  Specialized areas for human face recognition

16. Temporal Lobe Left temporal lobe (Werneke’s area) language comprehension, naming, etc. Auditory sense is processed

17. Peripheral Nervous System Somatic Nervous System—links with senses and voluntary muscles –Sensory Nervous System—brings information FROM the senses to the central nervous system –Motor Nervous System—carries information from the central nervous system TO the muscles for action

18. Peripheral Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System—links internal glands and organs –Sympathetic Division—arouses our systems when the need arises (e.g. anxiety producing stimulus, sexual arousal) –Parasympathetic Division—inhibits our systems or reduces the arousal