Module 1 - Introduction to Biological Psychology Flashcards
Aristotle (384 - 322 BCE)
Believed that the heart was in the mind. The brain cools tha passions of the heart
Hippocrates (370 - 460 BCE)
“Not only our pleasure, but also our sorrow rises from the brain and the brain alone”
Galen (129 - 21- CE)
Labelled “Father of Modern Medicine”, linked the mind to the brain. Treated gladiators for head injuries and noticed changes in behaviour. He dissected brains of animals and helped contributed to our knowledge of anatomy & physiology
Rene Decartes (1596 - 1650)
Coined “reflexes”, showing some behaviour is seperate from the mind. Argued that animals (and maybe people) work similar to a machine.
Mind and body interact through the Pineal Gland
Luigi Galvani (1737 - 1798)
Tested ideas around mind-body by stimulation of frog nerves.
Johannes Muller (1802 - 1858)
Dcotrine of specific nerve energies - The part of the brain get information from difference nerves, showing the parts of the brain has different funtions
Ramon Santiago y Cajal (1852 - 1934)
Staining to visual neurons, revealing the structures.
Biological Psychology (Behavioural Neuroscience)
Multidisciplinary field that combines the methods of psychology, biology, physiology, chemistry and computer science to try and explain the relationship between the brain and behaviour.
Approach - Generalisation
When one makes an overall conclusion based on many similar observations.
Approach - Reduction
When one understands a larger, complex idea/process by breaking it down into smaller parts
Mind Body Problem
The debate that the mind and the body are seperate, whereas others argue that the mind arises from the body
Dualism
Monism
Natural Selection
Functionalism
The physical features of a given species, which govern behaviour, are related to function. We have to consider function when studying how the brain shapes behaviour.
Evolution
Gradual changes in a species brought about via natural selection over time.
The physical features (and therefore behaviour) of a given species are adaptive. These features are due to natural selection.
Features will vary, some increase chance of survival or reproduction, some features are inherited.
Chromosomes
Contain genetic information that give instructions for producing proteins
Genes
Proteins
Serves as enzymes and control chemical reactions to decide what gets made. Part of the neuron structure and function
Alleles
Mutations
Changes in genetic information contained in the chromosomes or sperm or eggs that can be passed to offspring
Selective Advantage
Mutations that increase survival and reproduction chances
Neoteny
The slowed-down rate of brain maturation which gives the brain more time to develop
Ethics Committees
Gives advice on moral questions in clinical care, educates clinical staff and the public on issues in medical ethics, and develops policies related to patient care.
Informed Consent
Before a given individual decides to participate in research study, they are made fully aware of the goal of the study, the risks and benefits of the participation, aswell as how the data is collected and stored
Reduction
Methods for obtaining comparable levels of information from the use of fewer animals in scientific procedures or for obtaining more information from the same number of animals
Replacement
Methods that permit a given purpose of an activity or project to be achieved without the use of animals
Refinement
Methods that alleviate or minimise potential pain and distress, and enhance animal wellbeing
Neuroethics
An interdisciplinary field focusing on ethical issues raised by our increased and constantly improving understanding of the brain and our ability to monitor and influence it
