Introduction, History and Ethics

Question 1

Reductionism vs Holism

Answer 1

• Reductionism: reducing the complexities of behaviour down to the basic/smaller constituent parts
• Holism: the philosophical view that considers the organism as a whole entity and distinct from the sum of parts

Question 2

Alcmaeon of Croton (5th century BC)

Answer 2

If the brain is moved, sensation is compromised

Question 3

Aristotle (4th century BC)

Answer 3

Heart is centre of intellect, brain is for cooling the blood

Question 4

Hippocrates (3rd-4th century BC)

Answer 4

Brain involved in sensation + seat of intelligence

Question 5

Galen (2nd century AD)

Answer 5

Dissociation between:

• Cerebrum –> sensation
• Cerebellum –> commanding muscle

Registration of sensation and initiation of movements by fluids travelling between the brain (ventricles) and body in nerves (hollow tubes)

Question 6

Andreas Vesalius (16th century AD)

Answer 6

Body as a hydraulic machine: muscles are pumped by fluids coming from the brain, going through the nerves

Question 7

Descartes (17th century AD)

Answer 7

Mind-body dualism (or Cartesian dualism): mind and body are separate but closely related entities

• Mind receives sensations and commands muscles by communicating with the brain via the pineal gland
• Pineal gland is the principle seat of the sould and the place in which all our thoughts are formed
• Monism is the opposite, where brain and mind are considered to be the same thing

Question 8

Luigi Galvani, Emil du Bois-Reymond (18th-19th century)

Answer 8

Nerves as wires that conduct electrical signals to and from the brain

Question 9

Ramon y Cajal (18-19th century)

Answer 9

Neuron doctrine: neuron as basic functional unit

Question 10

Biological psychology

Answer 10

• Psychophisology: body measures associated with behaviour e.g. eye tracking, EEG
• Psychopharmacology: how drugs modify the brain and consequently behaviour
• Neuropsychology: study of the consequences of brain damage
• Cognitive neuroscience: embraces cognitive psychology and biopsychology
• Social/affective neuroscience
• Comparative psychology: comparison of human behaviours with that of animals
• Behavioural genetics: goal is to understand genetic basis of a behaviour, characteristic or disorder
• Computational neuroscience: modelling human behaviour in a machine

Question 11

Animals (scientific procedures) Act (1986)

Answer 11

3Rs:

• Reducing the number of animals used
• Refining procedures to minimise and suffering
• Replacing animal experiments with alternatives where possible