Chapter 1: What is Biopsychology?
Chapter Summary
This chapter introduces the student to the subject area of biological psychology. The historical
foundations are described by discussing the major philosophical question of how the relationship
between the mind and the brain—is the mind independent of the brain and physical world or is it
simply the changes that occur in the brain of the individual? Our understanding of the brain has
been increased through the discovery of electrical properties of the nervous system, and that
important functions appear to be (somewhat) localized to specific brain areas. The chapter then
discusses the debate of the relative roles of genetics and environment in controlling behavior,
with an Application box about a computer composed of DNA and the storage capabilities of the
molecule. One interesting point is made that traits on the X-chromosome disproportionately
affect males. While scientists sequenced the entire human genetic code through the Human
Genome Project in 2006, we still do not understand what many of our genes do, the range of
genetic variation that occurs naturally in humans, and the complex roles the environment plays in
modulating and controlling our genes. The chapter concludes with a discussion on how we can
quantify the relative importance of genetics versus environment on the expression of behavior.
NOTE- If any of the links contained within are not working, please contact the publisher and an
alternate resource will be found for you. In addition, an updated Chapter to this instructor’s
manual will be uploaded to the faculty website.
, Chapter 1: What is Biopsychology?
Topical Outline and Key Terms
1. Origins of biopsychology and neuroscience. Biopsychology studies the relationships
between the body and behavior (overt and internal events such as learning, thinking, and
emotion).
a. Mind-brain problem: what is the relationship between mental states and the
brain and the physical world?
i. Monism- the mind and the body are the same substance
1. Materialistic Monism- only the physical exists, and the mind is a
by-product created by the nervous system
2. Idealistic Monism- only the mind exists, and the physical world is
a construct of the mind
ii. Dualism- The mind and the physical world/brain are separate entities
b. Descartes and the physical model of behavior
i. Descartes was a 17th century philosopher and physiologist who believed
that movements and behavior were controlled by animal spirits or fluids
that flowed through the nerves; his significance lies in his physical
explanation of behavior
ii. Empiricism- knowledge can be gained through careful observation
c. Electric brain: early researchers established the electrical basis of neural activity
i. Galvani- stimulating muscles electrically caused them to contract
ii. Helmholtz- measured the actual speed of neural conduction, finding it
slower than electrical conduction along wires
d. Localization of brain areas involved in specific physical and mental activities
i. Phrenology was the correlation of faculties to specific areas of the brain
ii. Equipotentiality suggests that brain operates as a whole rather than parts
iii. Broca localized language to a specific brain area
iv. Since Broca, many functional areas of the brain have been associated
with speech, movement, sensation, hearing, and vision
2. Nature versus nurture
a. Nature (The Genetic Code)- genes direct protein production, which influences
both structure and behavior
i. The gene is the smallest unit of heritability on a chromosome, which is a
long, helical double-stranded molecule called deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA). Individuals can have different forms of a gene, called alleles.
1. If the allele is the same for a gene across the pair, it is called
homozygous; if different alleles, this is heterozygous.
, 2. What someone looks like is the phenotype, what the alleles are is
the genotype.
3. Alleles can be phenotypically dominant (trait is evident in the
phenotype) or recessive (trait only evident when it is by itself).
ii. Humans have 22 pairs of chromosomes, and a pair of sex chromosomes
(X & Y). Sex cells contain only 1 of each pair, but fuse during fertilization
to form a zygote.
1. Traits on chromosomes 1-22 affect men and women equally often.
Traits on the sex chromosome, called X-linked, are expressed
much more often in men than women (such as color vision
deficiency).
iii. Some characteristics are controlled by more than one gene (polygenic
effects).
iv. The Human Genome Project has mapped the genes comprising the
genetic code of humans.
b. Nurture- environmental influences behavior through parenting, nutrition, learning,
etc.
i. Natural selection, an idea conceived by Darwin, suggests that the
environment selects the most advantageous traits to survive, while less
advantageous traits do not
ii. Heritability score indicates how much of a behavior or trait is due to
genes (such as height at approximately 90%, intelligence at 50%, or
speaking English at 0%).
iii. Vulnerability indicates that genes contribute a predisposition; the strength
or number of genes sets the threshold that an environmental influence
must exceed in order for the characteristic to be expressed.
, Chapter 1: What is Biopsychology?
Advanced Discussion Topics
• What are the similarities and differences between a biological focus on mental events
versus a psychological focus? What would be the advantage of pairing a biologist with a
psychologist to answer questions on the mind and mental activities?
• Discuss how you would prove monism versus dualism—design an experiment with
methods, variables, and results. What are some problems with deciding which is right?
• Why do you think insects are capable of independent decisions and behaviors, but we still
do not have a computer that can think independently?
• What are some similarities between a computer’s processor (the “chip”) and your brain?
What are some key differences? Do you think these differences affect whether
something can be self-aware and exhibit consciousness?
• How would you play catch with a ghost? What form of thinking does this illustrate?
• What environmental factors could contribute to the expression of anxiety disorder for
someone with a family history for the disorder?
Chapter Summary
This chapter introduces the student to the subject area of biological psychology. The historical
foundations are described by discussing the major philosophical question of how the relationship
between the mind and the brain—is the mind independent of the brain and physical world or is it
simply the changes that occur in the brain of the individual? Our understanding of the brain has
been increased through the discovery of electrical properties of the nervous system, and that
important functions appear to be (somewhat) localized to specific brain areas. The chapter then
discusses the debate of the relative roles of genetics and environment in controlling behavior,
with an Application box about a computer composed of DNA and the storage capabilities of the
molecule. One interesting point is made that traits on the X-chromosome disproportionately
affect males. While scientists sequenced the entire human genetic code through the Human
Genome Project in 2006, we still do not understand what many of our genes do, the range of
genetic variation that occurs naturally in humans, and the complex roles the environment plays in
modulating and controlling our genes. The chapter concludes with a discussion on how we can
quantify the relative importance of genetics versus environment on the expression of behavior.
NOTE- If any of the links contained within are not working, please contact the publisher and an
alternate resource will be found for you. In addition, an updated Chapter to this instructor’s
manual will be uploaded to the faculty website.
, Chapter 1: What is Biopsychology?
Topical Outline and Key Terms
1. Origins of biopsychology and neuroscience. Biopsychology studies the relationships
between the body and behavior (overt and internal events such as learning, thinking, and
emotion).
a. Mind-brain problem: what is the relationship between mental states and the
brain and the physical world?
i. Monism- the mind and the body are the same substance
1. Materialistic Monism- only the physical exists, and the mind is a
by-product created by the nervous system
2. Idealistic Monism- only the mind exists, and the physical world is
a construct of the mind
ii. Dualism- The mind and the physical world/brain are separate entities
b. Descartes and the physical model of behavior
i. Descartes was a 17th century philosopher and physiologist who believed
that movements and behavior were controlled by animal spirits or fluids
that flowed through the nerves; his significance lies in his physical
explanation of behavior
ii. Empiricism- knowledge can be gained through careful observation
c. Electric brain: early researchers established the electrical basis of neural activity
i. Galvani- stimulating muscles electrically caused them to contract
ii. Helmholtz- measured the actual speed of neural conduction, finding it
slower than electrical conduction along wires
d. Localization of brain areas involved in specific physical and mental activities
i. Phrenology was the correlation of faculties to specific areas of the brain
ii. Equipotentiality suggests that brain operates as a whole rather than parts
iii. Broca localized language to a specific brain area
iv. Since Broca, many functional areas of the brain have been associated
with speech, movement, sensation, hearing, and vision
2. Nature versus nurture
a. Nature (The Genetic Code)- genes direct protein production, which influences
both structure and behavior
i. The gene is the smallest unit of heritability on a chromosome, which is a
long, helical double-stranded molecule called deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA). Individuals can have different forms of a gene, called alleles.
1. If the allele is the same for a gene across the pair, it is called
homozygous; if different alleles, this is heterozygous.
, 2. What someone looks like is the phenotype, what the alleles are is
the genotype.
3. Alleles can be phenotypically dominant (trait is evident in the
phenotype) or recessive (trait only evident when it is by itself).
ii. Humans have 22 pairs of chromosomes, and a pair of sex chromosomes
(X & Y). Sex cells contain only 1 of each pair, but fuse during fertilization
to form a zygote.
1. Traits on chromosomes 1-22 affect men and women equally often.
Traits on the sex chromosome, called X-linked, are expressed
much more often in men than women (such as color vision
deficiency).
iii. Some characteristics are controlled by more than one gene (polygenic
effects).
iv. The Human Genome Project has mapped the genes comprising the
genetic code of humans.
b. Nurture- environmental influences behavior through parenting, nutrition, learning,
etc.
i. Natural selection, an idea conceived by Darwin, suggests that the
environment selects the most advantageous traits to survive, while less
advantageous traits do not
ii. Heritability score indicates how much of a behavior or trait is due to
genes (such as height at approximately 90%, intelligence at 50%, or
speaking English at 0%).
iii. Vulnerability indicates that genes contribute a predisposition; the strength
or number of genes sets the threshold that an environmental influence
must exceed in order for the characteristic to be expressed.
, Chapter 1: What is Biopsychology?
Advanced Discussion Topics
• What are the similarities and differences between a biological focus on mental events
versus a psychological focus? What would be the advantage of pairing a biologist with a
psychologist to answer questions on the mind and mental activities?
• Discuss how you would prove monism versus dualism—design an experiment with
methods, variables, and results. What are some problems with deciding which is right?
• Why do you think insects are capable of independent decisions and behaviors, but we still
do not have a computer that can think independently?
• What are some similarities between a computer’s processor (the “chip”) and your brain?
What are some key differences? Do you think these differences affect whether
something can be self-aware and exhibit consciousness?
• How would you play catch with a ghost? What form of thinking does this illustrate?
• What environmental factors could contribute to the expression of anxiety disorder for
someone with a family history for the disorder?
