biological approach description Flashcards
behaviour can be explained by neurotransmitters
nervous system full of interconnected neurons
they send chemical and electrical messages to each other they do this through small gaps called the synapse, the messages are passed by chemicals called neurotransmitters
they allow the brain to process thoughts and memories
example for neurotransmitters
excess levels of dopamine can lead to schizophrenia
reduced levels of serotonin lead to depression
behaviour can be explained by localisation of brain function
two halves of the brain called hemispheres
outer layer is called cortex which covers four lobes
name all four lobes
frontal lobe
parietal lobe
occipital lobe
temporal lobe
what does the frontal lobe do
language based
changes thought into speech
personality planning goals and decisions
parietal lobe
controls voluntary movement
links body to senses
response to pain cold heat
temporal lobe
language center
wernickes area
understanding speech and producing speech that makes sense
transfers info from long term to short term memory
occipital lobe
processes visual info
damage to the temporal lobe
difficulties producing speech
wernickes aphasia
cant comprehend language
produces nonsense words
traumatic brain injury - phineas gage
iron rod through entire skull
destroyed frontal lobe
after accident phineas gage would act inappropriately in social situations
behaviour can be explained by evolutionary influences
inherited structure of the human mind
the origins of why a behaviour occurs
buss mate selection
believed men who wanted short term relationship were attracted to a womans body but if they wanted a long term relationship they would be attracted a womans face
beleived men also were attracted to younger women and women were attracted to older men who could make them financially stable
explain phobia of the dark and how it is evolutionary
phobia of dark used to be good for survival as they would avoid predators
more likely to survive
passed from generation to generation
