Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define Neuroscience
The scientific study of the nervous system
Define biopsychology
The scientific study of the biology of behaviour
What three terms is biopsychology also known as?
Psychobiology, behavioural biology or behavioural neuroscience.
What can the ultimate purpose of the nervous system be considered as?
To produce and control behaviour
What are the six disciplines most relevant to biopsychology?
- Neuroanatomy
- Neurochemistry
- Neuroendocrinology
- Neuropathology
- Neuropharmacology
- Neurophysiology
What is the purpose of pure research?
Solely for acquiring knowledge
What is the purpose of applied research?
Intended to bring about some direct benefit to humankind
What are the six major divisions of biopsychology?
- Physiological psychology
- Psychopharmacology
- Neuropsychology
- Psychophysiology
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Comparative psychology
Define physiological psychology
The study of the neural mechanisms of behaviour by manipulating the nervous systems of nonhuman animals in controlled experiments
Define psychopharmacology
studies the effects of drugs on the brain and behaviour
Define neuropsychology
the study of the psychological effects of brain damage in human patients
Define psychophysiology
Study of the relation between physiological activity and psychological processes in human volunteers by noninvasive physiological recording
Define cognitive neuroscience
The study of the neural mechanisms of human cognition, largely through the use of functional brain imaging
Define comparative psychology
The study of the evolution, genetics and adaptiveness of behaviour, largely through the use of the comparative method
What accounts for approx 10 percent of adult dementias in the United States, and what does it mainly do?
Korsakoff’s syndrome. Severe memory loss.
