Neuroscience of Biopsychology

Question 1

What is the shape and texture of the human brain?

Answer 1

Squishy, wrinkled, and walnut-shaped hunk of tissue.

Question 2

How heavy does the average human brain weigh?

Answer 2

1.3kg / 2.9lbs

Question 3

What’s are neurons?

Answer 3

Cells that receive and transmit electrochemical signals.

Question 4

Roughly, how many neurons, connections between them, and paths that neural signals can follow, are in the human brain?

Answer 4

Neurons = 100 billion (Azvedo et al., 2009).
Connections = estimated 100 trillion.
Paths for neural signals = almost infinite number. (Zimmer, 2011).

Question 5

Define neuroscience

Answer 5

The scientific study of the nervous system.

Question 6

How many related disciplines does neuroscience comprise of?

Answer 6

Seven.

Question 7

Is the brain a static network of neurons wired together?

Answer 7

No. Research over the last two decades demonstrates the the adult brain is a plastic (changeable) organ that continuously grows and changes in response to genes and experiences. This is called neuroplasticity.

Question 8

Is neuroplasticity arguably the most influential discovery in modern neuroscience?

Answer 8

Yes.

Question 9

Define biopsychology

Answer 9

The scientific study of the biology of behaviour (Dewsbury, 1991). It is one of the many disciplines that contribute to neuroscience.

Question 10

What is biopsychology also known as?

Answer 10

Psychobiology, behavioural biology, or behavioural neuroscience.

Question 11

Define psychology

Answer 11

The scientific study of behaviour - the scientific study of all overt activities of the organism, as well as all the internal processes that are presumed to underlie them (e.g., learning, memory, motivation, perception, and emotion).

Question 12

When did biopsychology develop into a major neuroscientific discipline?

Answer 12

It’s not possible to specify the exact data, but the publication of ‘The Organisation of Behaviour’ (D. O. Hebb, 1949) played a key role in it’s emergence. Biopsychology is an infant compared to biology, physics and chemistry.

Question 13

What did ‘The Organisation of Behaviour’ (D. O. Hebb, 1949) develope?

Answer 13

The first comprehensive theory of how complex psychological phenomena, such as perceptions, emotions, thoughts and memories, might be produced by brain activity. It discredited the view that psychological functioning was too complex to be created by brain activity. Hebb’s theory was based on research on both humans and laboratory animals, clinical case studies, and logical arguments from his own insightful observations of daily life.

Question 14

What do biopsychologists bring to neuroscience?

Answer 14

They bring to their research a knowledge of behaviour and of the methods of behavioural research. It’s their behavioural orientation and expertise that make their contribution unique (Cacioppo & Decety, 2009).

Question 15

Name six disciplines of neuroscience that are particularly relevant to biopsychology?

Answer 15

Neuroanatomy
Neurochemistry
Neuroendocrinology
Neuropathology
Neuropharmacology
Neurophysiology

Question 16

Define Neuroanatomy?

Answer 16

The study of the structure of the nervous system.

Question 17

Define Neurochemistry?

Answer 17

The study of the chemical bases of neural activity.

Question 18

Define Neuroendocrinology?

Answer 18

The study of interactions between the nervous system and the endocrine system.

Question 19

Define Neuropathology?

Answer 19

The study of nervous system disorders

Question 20

Define Neuropharmacology?

Answer 20

The study of the effects of drugs on neural activity.

Question 21

Define Neurophysiology?

Answer 21

The study of the functions and activities of the nervous system.

Question 22

Does biopsychological research focus on human or non-human animals?

Answer 22

Both.

Question 23

Of the non-human subjects in biopsychology, which animals are the most commonly used?

Answer 23

Mice and rats are the most common, however cats, dogs and nonhuman primates are also commonly studied.

Question 24

Which are better subjects to study in biopsychology, human or non-human animals?

Answer 24

Humans. They can follow instructions, report their subjective experiences, and the cost of care and upkeep is less (e.g. cages etc). Most importantly, they have human brains.

Question 25

Why do biopsychologists study animals? Why not just humans?

Answer 25

Because of the evolutionary continuity of the brain. Animals have smaller brains and a lesser extent of cortical development. Therefore, quantitatively, human brain function can be clarified by the study of nonhumans, because they’re ‘simpler’ (Nakahara et al., 2002).

Question 26

Name three advantages non-human animals have over humans as subjects in biopsychological research?

Answer 26

1. Their brains and behaviour is simpler, which in turn makes them easier to study.
2. The comparative approach - comparing different species. i.e. species with a cerebral cortex compared to a species without a cerebral cortex.
3. Due to fewer ethical restraints, it’s possible to conduct research on animals that isn’t allowed on humans.