Brain and Behavior Exam
what is biopsychology and the goals of it correct answers denotes a biological
approach to the field of psychology, want to understand behavior in terms of what is
going on in the body (examine body's command center)
define neuroscience correct answers scientific study of the nervous system
history and theories of biospychology correct answers Explanations of behavior: Where
does behavior come from?
Cardiocentric and encephalocentric theories
Cardiocentric: Ancient Egyptians and Greeks
Aristotle - observed that poking the brain of an injured person did not produce pain.
Thought brain function was to cool the blood and heart
Encephalocentric: Hippocrates (5th century BCE): "The father of scientific medicine
history of biopsychology correct answers Biological psychology limited: Lack of
knowledge about the brain
20th century behaviorists: Studied observable behavior, while ignoring the contents of
the "black box" (brain/mind)
Psychologists would have to wait before bridging the gap between brain & behavior
applied vs. basic research correct answers Pure research - conducted for the purpose
of acquiring knowledge (Building blocks of basic concepts)
Applied research - intended to bring about some direct benefit to humankind
animal research: why do we use it? correct answers Why use nonhumans?
Fewer ethical restrictions (assignment to treatment vs. control groups, manipulation of
brain areas)
Shorter gestational period & larger litter
Easier to study brain growth
Comparative approach: Gain insight by making comparisons with other species.
animal research ethics correct answers Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
(IACUC) must approve all research on animals
Consider animals point of view - Level of discomfort
Cost / Benefit Ratio: Is potential knowledge worth the level of discomfort?
Prior to IACUC, the researcher should make a personal assessment of the risk of
subject discomfort vs. potential for benefits
define physiological psychology correct answers Directly manipulate brain in controlled
experiments
Use surgical and electrical methods
, Activate/deactivate brain region → observe behavior
Subjects usually animals
Historically, focus on pure research
define psychopharmacology correct answers Study effects of drugs on brain & behavior
Similar to physiological psychology, but with drugs
Development of therapeutic drug treatment
Drugs tested first on animals, then humans when permitted
define neuropsychology correct answers Examine behavioral deficits from brain
damage in humans
Focus on cerebral cortex (outer parts)
No manipulation of brain
Case studies of patients
Mostly applied implications
define psychophysiology correct answers Study relationship between physiology &
psychological processes
Noninvasive techniques to measure Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Heart rate (EKG), eye movements, brain waves (EEG), skin conductance (GSR)
define cognitive neuroscience correct answers Study the neural bases of cognition
Cognition: Higher intellectual processes, Thought, Perception, Memory, Attention,
Noninvasive techniques, human subjects
Use brain imaging - activity and blood flow
PET, CT, fMRI
Combines cognitive psychology and computer science
comparative psychology correct answers Comparing different species to understand
how evolution and genetics shapes the brain and behavior
Used in a broad context, field research of animals in natural environment
Behavioral neuroscience: "Bottom-up" research correct answers Starting with neuronal
activity, do changes in cell function affect behavior?
E.g., physiological psychology
Cognitive neuroscience: "Top-down" research correct answers Starting with higher
functioning, do changes in thinking affect neuronal activity?
E.g., cognitive neuroscience, psychophysiology
what influences behavior? correct answers Nurture: Behaviorists
Mostly North American psychologists who believed that all behavior was learned
"Tabula rasa" or blank slate
Child is born with no built-in mental equipment
nature vs. nurture debate correct answers Nature: The study of Ethology
what is biopsychology and the goals of it correct answers denotes a biological
approach to the field of psychology, want to understand behavior in terms of what is
going on in the body (examine body's command center)
define neuroscience correct answers scientific study of the nervous system
history and theories of biospychology correct answers Explanations of behavior: Where
does behavior come from?
Cardiocentric and encephalocentric theories
Cardiocentric: Ancient Egyptians and Greeks
Aristotle - observed that poking the brain of an injured person did not produce pain.
Thought brain function was to cool the blood and heart
Encephalocentric: Hippocrates (5th century BCE): "The father of scientific medicine
history of biopsychology correct answers Biological psychology limited: Lack of
knowledge about the brain
20th century behaviorists: Studied observable behavior, while ignoring the contents of
the "black box" (brain/mind)
Psychologists would have to wait before bridging the gap between brain & behavior
applied vs. basic research correct answers Pure research - conducted for the purpose
of acquiring knowledge (Building blocks of basic concepts)
Applied research - intended to bring about some direct benefit to humankind
animal research: why do we use it? correct answers Why use nonhumans?
Fewer ethical restrictions (assignment to treatment vs. control groups, manipulation of
brain areas)
Shorter gestational period & larger litter
Easier to study brain growth
Comparative approach: Gain insight by making comparisons with other species.
animal research ethics correct answers Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
(IACUC) must approve all research on animals
Consider animals point of view - Level of discomfort
Cost / Benefit Ratio: Is potential knowledge worth the level of discomfort?
Prior to IACUC, the researcher should make a personal assessment of the risk of
subject discomfort vs. potential for benefits
define physiological psychology correct answers Directly manipulate brain in controlled
experiments
Use surgical and electrical methods
, Activate/deactivate brain region → observe behavior
Subjects usually animals
Historically, focus on pure research
define psychopharmacology correct answers Study effects of drugs on brain & behavior
Similar to physiological psychology, but with drugs
Development of therapeutic drug treatment
Drugs tested first on animals, then humans when permitted
define neuropsychology correct answers Examine behavioral deficits from brain
damage in humans
Focus on cerebral cortex (outer parts)
No manipulation of brain
Case studies of patients
Mostly applied implications
define psychophysiology correct answers Study relationship between physiology &
psychological processes
Noninvasive techniques to measure Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Heart rate (EKG), eye movements, brain waves (EEG), skin conductance (GSR)
define cognitive neuroscience correct answers Study the neural bases of cognition
Cognition: Higher intellectual processes, Thought, Perception, Memory, Attention,
Noninvasive techniques, human subjects
Use brain imaging - activity and blood flow
PET, CT, fMRI
Combines cognitive psychology and computer science
comparative psychology correct answers Comparing different species to understand
how evolution and genetics shapes the brain and behavior
Used in a broad context, field research of animals in natural environment
Behavioral neuroscience: "Bottom-up" research correct answers Starting with neuronal
activity, do changes in cell function affect behavior?
E.g., physiological psychology
Cognitive neuroscience: "Top-down" research correct answers Starting with higher
functioning, do changes in thinking affect neuronal activity?
E.g., cognitive neuroscience, psychophysiology
what influences behavior? correct answers Nurture: Behaviorists
Mostly North American psychologists who believed that all behavior was learned
"Tabula rasa" or blank slate
Child is born with no built-in mental equipment
nature vs. nurture debate correct answers Nature: The study of Ethology
