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An introduction to how our physical bodies, especially our brains, influence our thoughts and behaviors.
If you could flip a switch in your brain to instantly feel happy or forget a painful memory, would you still be 'you'?
Biological Psychology, also known as behavioral neuroscience, is the study of the physiological, genetic, and developmental mechanisms of behavior in humans and other animals. It assumes that every thought, feeling, and action is a physical event occurring in the brain. Instead of looking at 'the mind' as a mysterious cloud, researchers look at the 'hardware'—the neurons, hormones, and brain structures—that make consciousness possible. This field is critical because it allows us to treat mental health disorders not just as 'moods,' but as biological imbalances that can be corrected with medicine or therapy.
Quick Check
In your own words, what is the primary focus of biological psychology?
Answer
The study of how physical processes in the body and brain influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
For centuries, philosophers like René Descartes argued for Dualism, the idea that the mind and body are separate entities. Descartes famously believed the 'soul' interacted with the body through the pineal gland. However, modern science has shifted toward Monism. Monism is the belief that the mind is what the brain does. In this view, there is no 'ghost in the machine'; thoughts are simply the result of electrochemical signals. If you change the brain (through injury or chemicals), you change the mind. This shift is fundamental because it moved psychology from the realm of philosophy into the realm of hard science.
1. In 1848, a foreman named Phineas Gage had an iron rod driven through his frontal lobe. 2. Physically, he recovered, but his personality changed entirely—from polite to aggressive. 3. This provided early evidence for Monism: physical damage to a specific brain region directly altered the 'mind' and personality.
Quick Check
Which perspective argues that the mind and brain are the same thing?
Answer
Monism
Because behavior is rooted in biology, we can use biological data to predict outcomes. This involves looking at Neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) and Hormones. For instance, we can model the probability of a behavior based on chemical levels. If we represent the likelihood of a specific behavior as a function of a neurotransmitter level , we might see a correlation where . For example, low levels of Serotonin () are often predictive of increased depressive symptoms or aggression. By measuring these physical markers, scientists can predict how a person might react to stress or social cues before the behavior even occurs.
1. A student receives a notification on their phone. 2. The brain releases Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and anticipation. 3. We can predict the 'Reward Prediction Error' using the formula: , where is the dopamine surge, is the actual reward, and is the expected reward. 4. If the notification is a 'like' from a crush (), the dopamine surge reinforces the behavior of checking the phone.
1. Consider the 'Aggression Ratio' defined by the activity of the Amygdala () divided by the inhibitory control of the Prefrontal Cortex (). 2. Let the probability of an aggressive outburst be . 3. In high-stress scenarios, if increases while is weakened by sleep deprivation, the ratio increases. 4. Biological psychologists use fMRI scans to measure these activation levels to predict which individuals are most likely to struggle with impulse control in high-pressure environments.
Which of the following would a biological psychologist be MOST likely to study?
If a scientist believes that 'the mind is what the brain does,' they are a:
True or False: Biological processes can be used to mathematically model and predict the likelihood of certain behaviors.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain the difference between Monism and Dualism to a friend without looking at your notes.
Practice Activity
Research the 'Phineas Gage' case study further and identify which specific part of his brain was damaged and how it changed his behavior.