Class Notes: General Psychology: Biology of Behavior and Consciousness

The nervous system operates through neurons, the basic units stimulated by neurotransmitters and hormones. Communication occurs via electrical signals within neurons and chemical signals between them. Neurons exhibit an all-or-none response, firing messages based on the strength of stimuli, with neurotransmitters facilitating communication. Dopamine influences movement and learning, while serotonin affects mood and sleep. Brain structures include the hindbrain, responsible for survival functions, and the forebrain, governing cognition. The limbic system, crucial for emotions and memories, comprises the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. The cerebral cortex governs higher functions, with different lobes specializing in various tasks. The peripheral nervous system controls autonomic and voluntary actions, with the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions regulating arousal. The endocrine system complements neural communication through hormone secretion, with glands like the adrenal and pituitary playing key roles. Attention is a limited resource, with consciousness and sleep crucial for awareness and restoration, respectively. Sleep cycles, including REM and non-REM stages, coordinate biological rhythms and facilitate bodily functions like growth and memory consolidation.