LECTURE 1:
Introduction to Biological Psychology
What is biological psychology?
- Structures and action of brain – processes
- Look beyond the brain (other processes) to understand how the brain works
Functions of the brain:
- Use sensory input to guide movement – input from sense organs to provide muscle output
o External or internal input (info about outside world or internal from current position
of muscles)
- Use sensory input to regulate internal organs – input from sense organs used to regulate
action of internal organisms – metabolism of any cells in the body
o Regulating body temp = important to know ambient temp and what current core
temp is.
The brain:
- Cortex covers most of the surface of the brain
- Ridges = gyrus
- Fold/valleys = sulcus
- 4 lobes
- Beneath the cortex there are many brain regions with a variety of functions
o Different regions associated with different functions
- 3 main divisions: with various subdivisions
o Hind brain – maintain current states and controls fine movements of the mouth
(subconscious)
o Mid brain – uses current sensory input to direct movement (subconscious)
o Fore brain – uses current sensory input and experience to make and communicate
decisions (conscious processes/decision)
- The brain can send messages to the body in two ways:
o Nervous system using electrical signals
▪ Rapid messages but communication is costly (energy expenditure)
▪ Infrastructure cost – energy and resources to maintain
▪ Network structure determines which cell receives the messages
• Not for all processes as too costly - fatigue
o Vascular system using chemical signals (hormones)
▪ Sent more slowly but communication is cheap – small number of hormones
required – less energy and resources – system exists anyway (transmit
oxygen and food round body) not extra infrastructure costs
▪ Membrane receptors determine which cells receive the messages – only
some will respond.
• Not for all processes – too slow for nervous reflexes
- Sensory and communication systems are similar in humans and animals
- Structure of the brain is like that of other brains
o Rat and human – same regions are present in both
- Theory of evolution helps us understand similarities and differences
Introduction to Biological Psychology
What is biological psychology?
- Structures and action of brain – processes
- Look beyond the brain (other processes) to understand how the brain works
Functions of the brain:
- Use sensory input to guide movement – input from sense organs to provide muscle output
o External or internal input (info about outside world or internal from current position
of muscles)
- Use sensory input to regulate internal organs – input from sense organs used to regulate
action of internal organisms – metabolism of any cells in the body
o Regulating body temp = important to know ambient temp and what current core
temp is.
The brain:
- Cortex covers most of the surface of the brain
- Ridges = gyrus
- Fold/valleys = sulcus
- 4 lobes
- Beneath the cortex there are many brain regions with a variety of functions
o Different regions associated with different functions
- 3 main divisions: with various subdivisions
o Hind brain – maintain current states and controls fine movements of the mouth
(subconscious)
o Mid brain – uses current sensory input to direct movement (subconscious)
o Fore brain – uses current sensory input and experience to make and communicate
decisions (conscious processes/decision)
- The brain can send messages to the body in two ways:
o Nervous system using electrical signals
▪ Rapid messages but communication is costly (energy expenditure)
▪ Infrastructure cost – energy and resources to maintain
▪ Network structure determines which cell receives the messages
• Not for all processes as too costly - fatigue
o Vascular system using chemical signals (hormones)
▪ Sent more slowly but communication is cheap – small number of hormones
required – less energy and resources – system exists anyway (transmit
oxygen and food round body) not extra infrastructure costs
▪ Membrane receptors determine which cells receive the messages – only
some will respond.
• Not for all processes – too slow for nervous reflexes
- Sensory and communication systems are similar in humans and animals
- Structure of the brain is like that of other brains
o Rat and human – same regions are present in both
- Theory of evolution helps us understand similarities and differences
