Premium Essay

What Is Biological Psychology

In:

Submitted By lizcamuy33
Words 388
Pages 2
Biological Psychology Worksheet
Liz Rodriguez
PSY 400
March 22, 2012
Dr. Iris Thomas

Biological Psychology Worksheet 1. What is biological psychology?
It is the study of the biology of behavior. It is the study of what role biology plays in behavior, and the links between the brain and the body. How the brain functions and how the body reacts or how it behaves to the activity of the brain. Biopsychology has also been called the mind-body connection.

2. What is the historical development of biological psychology?
The historical development of biopsychology is traced as far back as the ancient Greek era. It became the Roman church who dictated much of the human behavior according to their religious beliefs. After the Dark Ages subsided a new way of thinking was born and this period is called the Renaissance era. With this era came new ways of studying things, ways to see things by observing them and this was how modern science was founded.

3. Name one of the three important theorists associated with biological psychology.
Rene Descartes (1596-1650) was a French philosopher but also the one the first to conclude that the Universe was made up of two elements. One of which was the physical matter or the human body, and the other was the soul, spirit, self, or the human mind.

4. Describe the relationship between biological psychology and other fields in psychology and neuroscience.
Whether it is the study of biopsychology and other fields of psychology or neuroscience, all psychologists and scientists are trying to understand the functions of the brain. The body and mind connection and how it reacts to certain behaviors or illnesses.

5. Describe the major underlying assumption of a biopsychological approach.
The assumption is that by understanding how the body and mind or soul reacts to certain behaviors we can understand or

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Explain How Variables Such as Social Interactions, Cognitive Processes, Environmental Variables, Cultural Context, and Biological Factors Shape What Social Psychology Is All About and How It Is Practiced. Choose One of

...Social psychology is the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and causes of the individual behavior and thought in social situation. Social psychology investigates the ways in which our thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by the social environments in which we live. Social interactions help to shape who we are and how we act in different situations. The factors affecting social interaction fall into five major categories. They are the actions and characteristics of others, basic cognitive processes, ecological variables, cultural context and biological factors. The Cognitive processes such as perception, memory and inferences play a key role on the understanding and behavior of every individual in the society. Reactions to certain situations by an individual strongly depend on the memories of others past behaviors and the inferences an individual formed about these behaviors. If anybody wants to clearly understand the causes of others behavior in a social situation it is a must that one should understand what went on in the thinking pattern and understanding process of those people when they behaved in a particular social situation. For example, if your friend sets an appointment with you in a particular time. You are waiting for him at a particular point in a particular time, if he comes late what would be your reaction. In such a situation, cognitive process plays a crucial role in the social behavior and social thoughts of every individual....

Words: 951 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Explain How Variables Such as Social Interactions, Cognitive Processes, Environmental Variables, Cultural Context, and Biological Factors Shape What Social Psychology Is All About and How It Is Practiced. Choose One of

...Social psychology is the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and causes of the individual behavior and thought in social situation. Social psychology investigates the ways in which our thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by the social environments in which we live. Social interactions help to shape who we are and how we act in different situations. The factors affecting social interaction fall into five major categories. They are the actions and characteristics of others, basic cognitive processes, ecological variables, cultural context and biological factors. The Cognitive processes such as perception, memory and inferences play a key role on the understanding and behavior of every individual in the society. Reactions to certain situations by an individual strongly depend on the memories of others past behaviors and the inferences an individual formed about these behaviors. If anybody wants to clearly understand the causes of others behavior in a social situation it is a must that one should understand what went on in the thinking pattern and understanding process of those people when they behaved in a particular social situation. For example, if your friend sets an appointment with you in a particular time. You are waiting for him at a particular point in a particular time, if he comes late what would be your reaction. In such a situation, cognitive process plays a crucial role in the social behavior and social thoughts of every individual...

Words: 319 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Biology

...September 07, 2010 Biological Psychology As in other areas of psychology, biological psychologists study behavior. However, they do so by exploring how behavior and experiences relate to our genes and physiology. Biological psychology also explores questions of how the brain itself is connected to consciousness. Basically, this branch of psychology emphasizes the goal of relating biology to the issue of psychology. It is sometimes also called psychobiology, biopsychology, physiological psychology or behavioral neuroscience. Brain functioning is the main areas of focus for biological psychology. By studying the brain, biological psychologists attempt to answer questions such the best way to help with recovery after brain damage, or what specific part of the brain helps us learn language or is involved in storing memories. They might also study what biological factors make people more likely to be affected with psychological disorders. Biological psychology has its roots in scientific and philosophical traditions from as early as the 18th and 19th centuries. For example, Rene Descartes (1596-1650) suggested that there was a specific part in the brain (the pineal gland) that connected the body with the mind. Although this was not correct, it did introduce the idea of studying specific parts of the physical brain when trying to explain the roots of behavior. (Robinson, 1995) In 1890, XXXXXXX XXXXX published The Principles of Psychology, which made the claim that the...

Words: 786 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Dispositional

...Dispositional, Biological, and Evolutionary Psychology University of Phoenix Dispositional, Biological, and Evolutionary Psychology Personality theory has come a long way since its beginning in psychology. Many theorists have based their work on theorists before them, but made changes that indicate that the characteristics of the individual affects the ideas behind their work (Feist, Feist, & Roberts, 2013). Comparing dispositional, biological, and evolutionary theories indicates the similarities and differences between the theories; as well as their strengths and weaknesses. The use of these theories has led to research and tests, such as the big five test, that help indicate personality characteristics of individuals (Feist, et al. 2013). Comparison Dispositional personality theory identifies types and traits of characteristics to help determine personality (Feist, Feist, & Roberts, 2010). It then attributes behavior to these characteristics (Westmont.edu, 2002). Many previous theorists had looked at subconscious thoughts as motivation for human personality and behavior. Dispositional theory does not dismiss the sub-conscious, but focuses on the individual and conscious thought as the center of personality (Westmont.edu, 2002). It centers on humans having free will to determine their future (Fesit et al, 2013). Biological psychology theories are based on what many others theorists denied, that is, that personality and behavior are affected by biology (Feist...

Words: 1158 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Social Psychology Definition Paper

...Social Psychology Definition Madaline Goldstein PSY. 400 July 15, 2013 Julee S. Poole, Ph. D Social Psychology Definition Psychology in general involves a complex view of one’s mind and mental processes (Myers, 2010). Social Psychology is the scientific field of psychology, which focuses on how people individually think, feel, and relate to one another. Compared to other disciplines in relation to psychology, social psychology has its own uniqueness in relation to others such as sociology, personality psychology, biological psychology, and clinical psychology (Myers, 2010). Social Psychology Verses Sociology. Many confuse sociology with social psychology as a result of the common misconception that social psychology is the study of social groups (Greenwood, 2013). Some may assume that sociology is a sub-study of psychology regarding how individuals deal with various social settings. In actuality, while sociology is the study as a whole in a group, social psychology focuses on each individual in a group setting. Sociology puts an emphasis on the origins of a social society, the developments of that society, the organizations developed within the society, and the institutions founded by the society (Greenwood, 2013). Sociology, does of course, resemble much of the focal point of social psychology. Social Psychology Verses Personality Psychology. Personality psychology and social psychology are more similar than contradictive (Cherry, 2013). Social psychology involves...

Words: 1014 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Biopsych Worksheet

...of Phoenix Material Biological Psychology Worksheet Answer the following questions in short-essay format. Be prepared to discuss your answers. 1. What is biological psychology? Biological psychology, also known as “biopsychology is the scientific study of the biology of behavior” (Pinel, 2009). Biological psychology covers how a person may act if they are suffering from another problem that could possibly be psychological. The human brain has several different sections that if one is not working properly it could cause several changes in a person’s behavior. This subject compares and contrast’s the between humans and non-human brain’s and behaviors. Biopsychology is still a very new compared to several other areas of psychology, but it is developing quickly. 2. What is the historical development of biological psychology? Pinel (2009) stated, “Biological psychology was not developed until the 20th century into a major neuroscientific discipline”. In 1949 D.O.Hebb published a book titled “The Organization of Behavior”, this is what helped open the eyes of many to the idea of biopsychology. Hebb’s theories on how the brain’s activities could be related to several different complex psychological phenomena’s (Pinel, 2009). 3. Name one to three important theorists associated with biological psychology. I believe that one of the most important theorists associated with biological psychology would have to be D.O....

Words: 425 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Biological Psychology Worksheet

...Material Biological Psychology Worksheet Answer the following questions in short-essay format. Be prepared to discuss your answers. 1. What is biological psychology? Biological Psychology is more known for behavioral and neurobiology neuroscience. This is a very interesting and exciting one. It is chiefly concerned with elucidating the neurobiological basis of psychological and behavioral phenomena. The interesting accomplished by being able to get images of the brain and trying to determine the location of the mental process, watching the activity of different components of our brain, allowing us to study the effect of behavior, and the effect of our brains outputs. The field has grown over the past decades due to the expansion of computer technology and the greater understanding of genetics and biology and the fMRI imaging machines. 2. What is the historical development of biological psychology? The historical development of biopsychology is traced as far back as the ancient Greek era. It became the Roman church who dictated much of the human behavior according to their religious beliefs. After the Dark Ages subsided a new way of thinking was born and this period is called the Renaissance era. With this era came new ways of studying things, ways to see things by observing them and this was how modern science was founded.  3. Name one to three important theorists associated with biological psychology. Rene...

Words: 488 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Psychology

...Biological Psychology Name Institution What scientific evidence exists to support the proposition that other animals are capable of language? 1. Student Linda Salazar According to Linda Salazar, promising results from the right on time creature language studies were tossed after disclosures of methodological issues were revealed. This lent confirmation to an necessary clarification of the advancement of language, championed by a few language specialists and analysts, who guarantee that semantic attitudes are remarkably human (Kalat, 2013). Later research, deliberately intended to overcome procedural blemishes has refueled the level headed discussion, by giving confirmation to the transformative clarification of language improvement, proposing that a graduation of linguistic abilities exists in human and nonhuman primates. Analysts and commentators alike are mindful in assessing these later studies (Toates, 2001). Numerous are concentrating on the inquiries that emerged from the dialect investigations of nonhuman primates, concerning cognizance and knowledge, and their relationship to phonetic/linguistic capacity. As supported by the book, Biological Psychology by James W. Kalat, human language is a repercussion of knowledge and its blemishes with this hypothesis (Garrett, 2009). Language should likewise have developed after some time as particular mind component. In light of acoustic instruments that control conduct, intentional and automatic frameworks, I accept...

Words: 1557 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Week 1

...University of Phoenix Material Biological Psychology Worksheet Answer the following questions in short-essay format. Be prepared to discuss your answers. 1. What is biological psychology? Biopsychology is the scientific study of the biology of behavior. It is a branch of psychology that analyzes how neurotransmitters and the brain influences our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It draws together knowledge and other neurosciencefic disciplines and applies it to the study of behavior. 2. What is the historical development of biological psychology? .The Bio psychological approach is to look for causes of behavioral problems within the influence of the brain, nervous system, endocrine glands, genetic DNA, or any physical element. The history can be traced back as far as Avicenna (980-1037 CE). H was a physician who seen that the treatment involving emotions and are attributed to creating a method in which there is a correlation between the heart rate and inner feelings. This discipline continued throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. William James (1890) stated that an understanding of psychology is something that includes an understanding of biology (New World Encyclopedia, 2007). 3. Name one to three important theorists associated with biological psychology. One important theorist that can be associated with biological psychology is Rene’ Descartes. He was the first to clearly identify that the mind has a consciousness...

Words: 586 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Psychological Perspective Paper

...Psychological Perspective Paper Introduction Psychology is the study of human and animal behavior. There are various perspectives within psychology and the upcoming paragraphs deal with 6 psychological perspectives: Behavioral, Cognitive, Biological, Developmental, Psychodynamic, Sociocultural and Evolutionary. Psychological Perspectives All six perspectives seek to explore and examine human behavior and makes use of varying techniques in order to do so. Each perspective tries to search for answers to different questions, which exist about behavior. Each of these perspectives is different hence they have there own reasoning and explanation. Among the perspectives of psychology, many have been accepted some whereas others have had difficulty in being accepted. Behavioral Behavioral Psychology is a branch is psychology that claims that all behavior is learned through conditioning. The field is also known as behaviorism. The idea behind it is that all people acquire their behavior by interacting with their environment through classical condition or operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is the involuntary, or automatic, response to a stimulus (i.e. fight or flight response) where as Operant conditioning is that of a learned behavior through positive/negative reinforcement (consequences) or positive/negative punishment. (What Is Behavioral Psychology, 2011) Cognitive Cognitive psychology is the branch of psychology that studies mental processes including how people...

Words: 1416 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Studying Psychology from More Than One Perspective

...There is a lot to be gained from studying a topic in psychology from more than one perspective. Psychology is a subject which is based on theory and uses various scientific methods to both collect and analyse data. There are many different psychological perspectives adopted by psychologists who take different viewpoints from each other, even though the topic they are interested in is the same. This essay aims to address the question that there is a lot to be gained from studying a topic in psychology from more than one perspective, by looking at the topics of language and meaning from the perspectives of the social constructionists, evolutionary psychologists and cognitive psychology. And the topic of the psychology of sex and gender from the perspectives of social constructionists, evolutionary psychology, biological psychology and psychodynamic psychology. One advantage of studying a topic in psychology from various different perspectives is that each perspective has a different "object of knowledge” and therefore the questions that each perspective will pose, the evidence they collect and the methods they use to collect that evidence will be different. Which in turn causes each perspective either to conflict, coexist or complement each other? If we look at the topic of the psychology of sex and gender from a social constructionist perspective, the object of knowledge we would be concentrating or interested in is that of the social and cultural context of how sex...

Words: 1477 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Psychology

...Psychology Perspectives 5 main psychology approaches: * Behaviorist Perspective * Psychodynamic Perspective * Cognitive Psychology * Biological Psychology * Evolutionary Psychology Behaviorism – different from most other approaches because they view people (and animals) as controlled by their environment and specifically that we are the result of what we have learned from our environment. * Concerned with how environmental factors (stimuli) affect observable behavior (response)) 2 main processes learn from environment: * Classical conditioning * Operant conditioning Behaviorism- scientific study of observable behavior working on basis that behavior can reduced to learned S-R (Stimulus-Response) units. Classical conditioning- studied by Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov. Looking into natural reflexes and neutral stimuli he managed to conditioning dogs to salivate to the sound of a bell through repeated associated of the sound of the bell and food. * Principles of CC applied in many therapies include systematic desensitization for phobias and aversion therapy. Operant conditioning- B.F. Skinner investigated voluntary and involuntary behavior. Skinner felt that some behavior could be explained by the person’s motive. Therefore behavior occurs for a reason, 3 main behavior shaping techniques: * Positive reinforcement * Negative reinforcement * Punishment Psychodynamic Perspective Sigmund Freud- many expressions from our daily...

Words: 1685 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Five Major Persectives

...| The five major theoretical perspectives in psychology are biological, learning, cognitive, psychodynamic, and social cultural perspectives. Each one of these perspectives searches for answers about behavior through different techniques and through looking for answers to different kinds of questions. Due to the different approaches, each perspective formed their own assumption and explanations. Some perspectives are widely accepted while others struggle for acceptance. Biological perspective “The premise behind the biological perspective in psychology is that all action, feelings, and thought s are associated with bodily events.”Biological psychologists examine how all of the electrical impulse, hormones, and chemical flowing through the body can affect behavior and how changes to these bodily functions can change behavior. They are concerned with how the aspect of biology effects peoples emotions, learning abilities, and their perception of events. One of the major theories of biological psychology is that “we cannot know ourselves if we do not know our bodies”. Through application of this theory, biological psychologists strive to understand the relationship between the mind and body and they influence sickness or health. It is believed that poor health can lead to negative attitudes while poor attitudes can lead to poor health. Biological psychologists research and study the correlation of this theory in an attempt to help solve some mental and emotional problems. Learning...

Words: 791 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Foundations of Psychology

...Foundations of Psychology PSY/ 300- General Psychology Foundations of Psychology Introduction This document will deliberate on the main disciplines of contemplation in psychology and analyze the foremost principal assumptions. Investigate and corroborate that the majority of psychological procedures transpire outside the consciousness and that numerous of the connections concerning emotion, behaviors, and circumstances that direct behavior are communicated unconditionally or instinctively. The document will in addition distinguish the fundamental biological elements of psychology interconnected to behavior. Major schools of theories during the preceding centuries have spearheaded the expansion of psychology recognized currently and research the theories in psychology, investigating the general fundamentals and isolating the central biological elements of psychology as its pertain to behavior (Robin Kowalski, 2011). . Psychology was original recognized as a function of discipline, independent from philosophy and biology with arguments in excess of what method to define and rationalize an individual cognizance and behavior originates. The fundamentals of psychology symbolize the key theories within the consciousness with the philosophy stage of structuralism, encouraged by the originator Wilhelm Wundt psychology laboratory and proximately additional hypotheses commenced for supremacy in psychology. Earlier period psychologists frequently...

Words: 1010 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Foundations of Psychology

...Foundations of psychology May 09, 2011   Foundations of psychology There are many schools of thought within the study of psychology. Commonly, most people are only aware of a few of the general therapies and some of the research connected with psychology, but there are far more schools of thought and study in the field of psychology than what the public may be aware of. The four main perspectives concerning psychology is divided by schools of thought. Each of the four schools of thought is based on different studies and assumptions where the causes and treatments are concerned, in reference to psychology. The main four schools of thought are psychodynamic, the behaviorist, cognitive, and the evolutionary. The Psychodynamic Perspective The school of psychodynamic was “founded by Sigmund Freud ( HubPages Inc, 2011),” and evolved from Freud’s theories that all people have “powerful unconscious motives that underlie their conscious intentions. (Kowalski, R. & Westen, D. (2009)” A few of the issues that Freud and his followers focused on was repressed issues from one’s past, and helping people bring foreword these past issues so they may be dealt with by using reason, helping people face the nature of their problems. Freud believed that people can be totally unaware of their subconscious motivations and process that affect their conscious thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and intentions. The psychodynamic...

Words: 953 - Pages: 4