What is Biological Psychology?

Question 1

What is biological psychology? (Klein & Thorne)

Answer 1

The study of the influences of biological systems, especially the nervous system, on behaviour.

Question 2

What are the different methods used in biological psychology?

Answer 2

Experiments
Quasi-experimental studies
Case studies

Question 3

What are the instruments used in biological psychology? (include examples)

Answer 3

Animals - rats & mice
Imaging - fMRI & EEG
Stimulation - tDCS & tMS
Biological measurements - hormone levels & heart rate

Question 4

What does deoxyribonucleic acid do?

Answer 4

Carries genetic instructions for the growth, functioning & reproduction of all living organisms.

Question 5

What do neurones do?

Answer 5

The base unit of all brain behaviour as they relay messages to different parts of the body.

Question 6

What is the reductionist approach?

Answer 6

Argues that behaviour can be reduced to the smallest possible level of analysis.

Question 7

What are Tinbergen’s four questions?

Answer 7

1. Function (adaptation) - why is the animal performing the behaviour?
2. Evolution (phylogeny) - how did the behaviour evolve?
3. Causation (mechanism) - what causes the behaviour to be performed?
4. Development (ontogeny) - how has the behaviour developed during the lifetime of the individual?