Lecture 1: Overview of Psychophysiology Flashcards
Grasp main concepts
What is Psychophysiology?
Study of relations between psychological manipulations and resulting physiological responses measured in the living organism to promote understanding of the relation between mental and bodily processes.
Characteristics of psychophysiology
- Human subjects
2. Non-invasive approach (skin surface)
Independent variable: aspect to be manipulated
psychological processes
Dependent variable: aspect to be measured
physiological responses
Three-systems-perspective
- Overt Behavior
- Self-report /Subjective experience
- Physiological responses
How many measures are needed in a psychophysiological study?
more than one but not all at one time
Reductionism
Avoid dismissing one aspect of the result assuming it is less important or no significance over the others
Usefulness of Psychophysiology
- measure basic processes (emotion, attention)
- Risk indicators/severity
- measure treatment outcome, methods and mechanisms
- Biofeedback
Most physiological responses are under the control of
Nervous system
Affirmation of Consequent
Illogical reference based on the belief that “If A causes B, presence of B indicates A.”
Egyptian Writings (History)
- The brain is the locus of mental activity
- The heart controls brain activity that leads to behavioral control
- Brain injury can cause difficulty in speech and movement (paralysis due to a psychological problem instead of physical)
Dualism (Plato)
mental activities and the soul are separate
Monism (Aristotle)
Body and soul is a single entity
Goal of psychophysiologists
Erasistratos
Prince Antiochus showed physical symptoms whenever his stepmom appears.
Main idea: observed physical symptoms may show linkages to psychological issues
Main figures
Galvani: cells have electricity
Fere: Electrodermal
Hans Berger: EEG
