Biological Psychology Worksheet Deborah Y. Eckhardt PSY/340 November 7, 2011 Evi Pover 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, behavioral neuroscience, or physiological biology, is the biological study of thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Biological psychology is the field of psychology that analyzes how the brain and neurotransmitters influence our behaviors, thoughts and feelings.This field can be thought of as a combination of basic psychology and neuroscience. 2.
What is the historical development of biological psychology? The ideas of biological psychology date back to early Greek philosophers, such as Aristotle and Plato (429-348 BC). Aristotle determined there was a close relationship connecting psychological states, and physiological processes. Plato stated, “That the human ability to reason stems from the brain” (Goodwin, 2008). Galen (AD 130-200), a Greek physician and philosopher of the Roman Empire, discovered there was four parts to the brain.
Although he believed the “spark” of life came from the heart (Goodwin, 2008). Theorist Rene’ Descartes, often called the father of modern philosophy, was another important person in the development of biological psychology. Descartes believed that the mind and body interacted together, but were two separate entities. Although he also believed that even though the mind and body worked together, that the body had some of its own mechanical responses to some stimuli (reflexes), that do not need intervention from the mind. Charles Darwin was one of the first scientists to make a connection for the mportance of biology to the study of the mind. Although it wasn’t until the 20th century that biological psychology became the major neuroscientific discipline it is today (Pinel, 2009).
Psychologist D. O. Hebb inspired the development of biopsychology with his theories on the complex working of brain activities and how they may create a variety of multifaceted psychological experiences. His theories helped to discredit the view that most psychological functions were too complicated to have basis in only the physiology and the chemistry in the brain (Pinel, 2009).Biopsychology developed even more over the years with the advances of new technologies, such as MMR machines and computers. 3.
Name one to three important theorists associated with biological psychology. Two theorists who are associated with, and whose theories have influenced biological psychology are Albert Bandura and Ivan Pavlov. Bandura’s behavioral cognitive theory believed that people acquire behaviors through the observation of others, and then imitate what they have observed. Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning Theory was the basis of many fields of psychology.He also suggested that learning depended on growth of a connection between two brain areas (Goodwin, 2008). 4.
Describe the relationship between biological psychology and other fields in psychology and neuroscience. We see experts from many other fields of studies involved with biological psychology. These included fields such as; clinical neuropsychology, endocrinology, anatomy, anthropology, behavioral medicine, biochemistry, clinical neuropsychology, endocrinology, genetics, molecular biology, paleontology, psychiatry, psychophysiology, and many more (Davis, Rosenzweig, Becker, Sather, 1988).It is because of the people in these fields that biological psychology has advanced as far as it has. We see that many fields of psychology are closely related to biological psychology.
They share many of the same theories and ideas. As with most of the branches of psychology, biological psychology was developed from the thoughts of the fields before it. 5. Describe the major underlying assumptions of a biopsychological approach.
Some of the major underlying assumptions of a biopsychological approach are: • The majority of human experience (behavior, emotion, thoughts) is physiologically mediated and explained. Biological and mental processes are both directly connected to one another. • All conditions related to personality and the mind is the result the interaction between biological traits and environmental conditions or stimuli. References Goodwin, C. J. (2008).
A History of Modern Psychology. (3rd. ed. ).
Hoboken NJ: Wiley Davis, H. P. , Rosenzweig, M. R. , Becker, L. A.
, & Sather, K. J. (1988). Biological psychology's relationships to psychology and neuroscience. American Psychologist, 43(5), 359-371. doi:10.
1037/0003-066X. 43. 5. 359 Pinel, J.
P. J. (2009). Biopsychology (7th ed.
). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
