Vocabulary Ch 3 4 Central nervous system peripheral

Vocabulary (Ch 3 & 4) Central nervous system peripheral nervous system Sensory nerves biological rhythm Split-brain surgery hemispheric dominance Reticular activating system cortisol Limbic system adrenal glands epinephrine Temporal lobes frontal lobes corpus callosum REM sleep cell body hypothalamus Prefrontal cortex plasticity synapse medulla

Content Ø Development and cultural context * Historical and cultural conditions that gave birth to perspective. * Contributions and current standing. ØFramework* Key concepts * Assumptions * Theoretical explanation of behavior change ØMethodologies * Methods * Strengths and limitations * Ethics ØApplication * Effectiveness in explaining psychological questions * Recommendations for change in lifestyle

Biological Perspective: Extra Credit • Genetic influences on behavior • Look for magazine and newspaper articles that deal with BIOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY (MUST be both – not one or the other). For example: you might find an article describing research that indicates schizophrenia is caused by a chemical imbalance in a person’s body. • You must give a short summary of the article to the class. • The FIRST person to turn in the article will receive extra credit points. (5 points for each article)

Where do human commonalities come from? • Name characteristics of behavior shared by all human cultures: 1. Language 2. . 3. . 4. . 5. .

Where do human differences come from? • Name characteristics of behavior that are different based on individuality: 1. . 2. . 3. . 4. . 5. .

BIOLOGICAL Development and cultural context • Focus: –interaction between the physiological and psychological factors that contribute to behavior. • Behavioral change can be regarded as arising from an interaction between innate disposition and environmental factors. • There is an acceptance that not only environmental factors shape and alter the brain (plasticity) but culture has an influence as well.

BIOLOGICAL • IN THE PAST • Oversimplified and reductionistic • Assumed that inherited factors directly determined behavior • Assumed that the brain was fairly intact at birth • Early Greek times: Galen and Hippocrates believed personality and temperament were linked to levels of body fluids (bile, blood) • Now viewed as much more complex

BIOLOGICAL Framework Basic Assumptions • Nativists: – Emphasized genes and inborn characteristics (nature) • Edward L. Thorndike (1903) claimed that “in the actual race of life…the chief determining factor is heredity” • Empiricists: – Focused on learning or experience (nurture) • John B. Watson (1925) insisted that experience could write virtually any message on the blank slate of human nature” (using John Locke’s theory that when humans are born their minds are a blank slate - tabla rosa) • Cognition, behavior and feelings are strongly affected by the ways in which the human brain works. Biological psychologists reject the idea that the mind exists independently of the physical brain. Biological and cognitive sciences are closely tied, called psychoneurology. • Remember: A bi-directional approach viewing biology as inherited AND acquired, better explains human behavior.

BIOLOGICAL Development and cultural context Evolutionary Biology • Darwin – natural selection: the fate of genetic variations depends on the environment. – Over the past century and a half, these evolutionary principles have been resoundingly supported by findings in anthropology, botany and molecular genetics and now guide all of the biological sciences.

BIOLOGICAL Development and cultural context • How can we explain our human differences and similarities? - Evolutionary psychologists • Believe the answer lies in genetic dispositions that developed during the evolutionary history of our species. • Believe the human mind evolved as a collection of specialized and independent “modules” to handle specific survival problems. * Dislike for bitter tastes - Evolutionary biological psychologists • Start with an observation about some characteristic and try to account for it in evolutionary terms. - Critics * Male peacocks • The idea of mental modules is no improvement over the instinct theory. (all human activity is innate)

Nature vs. Nurture Obesity Nature Nurture Confounding Hate mother Genetic Set point Low cost /high fat foods Sexually repressed Chemical regulations Over processed foods Emotionally disturbed Metabolism Couch potato lifestyle

Basic Biology 101 • Genes: basic units of heredity located on chromosomes that contain DNA. • Each gene contains 23 matched pairs of chromosomes (except sex cells). • Chromosomes: rod shaped structures found in every cell of the body.

Human genes: 30, 000 -150, 000 • Some genes are unique to each human • Some genes are shared by all humans and other animals • DNA is broken into 4 basic elements (ATCG). The combination of each letter defines that gene. • Example: (ACGTCTCTATA) = one gene • Linkage studies: • There are over 3 Billion combinations possible.

Genetics • Not all traits are equally heritable or unaffected by shared environment • Some studies may underestimate the impact of the environment • Even traits that are highly heritable are not rigidly fixed and can be modified by experience • Twin Studies: • Heston et all (1966)- Schizophrenia • Tienari importance of environment

• The Human Genome is the full set of genes in each cell of an organism. • Most traits depend on more than one gene pair. • Linkage studies look for genetic markers that are linked to specific genetic traits. • Studies also look for inherited genes close together to identify genetic markers.

Genetics • Heritability • Estimate of heritability applies only to a particular group living in a particular environment. • Intellectual ability • Heritability estimates do not apply to individuals, only to variations within a group • Genetic mosaic • Even highly heritable traits can be modified by the environment • Height • Computing Heritability • Adopted children studies • Identical and fraternal twin studies

Genetics cont’d • Heritability and Intelligence • Genes and individual differences • Identical Twins • Fraternal Twins • Adopted children • Group differences • Racism effects • Same conditions, different results? • Heredity & Temperament • Reactive/nonreactive • Heredity & Traits • Trait = way of behaving, thinking, feeling • Extrovert/introvert • Agreeableness • Conscientiousness • Negativity • Openness to experience

THE ROLE OF GENES • Genetic influences on behavior • Virtually all behavior is influenced by genes. • Virtually no behavior is determined by genes. • Twin studies • IQ tests • Identical( raised together) – highly correlated • Identical (raised apart) – correlated to non-identical • Adoption studies • Correlated to their birth parents’ scores more than adoptive parents’ scores

THE ROLE OF GENES cont’d • Birth order – Does birth order determine IQ? Problem: IQ heritability estimates are based mainly on white samples • Genetically determined temperaments • Differences in activity level, mood, responsiveness, soothability, attention span • May later form basis of personality traits • Heredity & traits • Habitual way of behaving, thinking and feeling • Behavioral geneticists are finding that many traits are highly heritable

BIOLOGICAL Development • Scientific discoveries about biological processes –Mind and body effect each other * Placebo effect “If you treat just the disease without treating the emotional devastation caused by the disease you’re only treating half a patient. ” Norman Cousins, journalist –Physiological psychology * Brain: – 3 ½ pounds – neurons (individual nerve cells), 10 billion approx. – both electrical and chemical – Only olfactory neurons in the nose are capable of regenerating themselves – 1990 scientists at John Hopkins kept a lab culture of cerebral cortex neurons alive and multiplying

Brain labeled

• Hindbrain * regulates body’s basic activities * Connects directly to the spinal cord * Three parts -Medulla -Connection between brain and spinal cord -Regulates breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure -Cerebellum -maintains body’s balance -coordinates fine-muscle activity

• Hindbrain cont’d -Reticular Activating System (RAS) *attention center of the brain* center of balance for the other systems involved in learning, selfcontrol or inhibition, and motivation region of brainstem -signals that control wakefulness and sleep -signals that control arousal and alertness -sorts out messages from constant flow of trivia by sensory receptors

* When RAS does NOT excite neurons as it ought to Poor memory Difficulty learning Lack of self-control * When RAS excites neurons TOO MUCH Excessive startle response Restless Talking too much Hyperactivity Touching everything * Disorders that effect the hindbrain Sleep disorders ADHD, ADD Stroke

• Forebrain * Conscious thought * Pleasure and pain * Three parts * Thalamus » connects the forebrain with the rest of the body » all incoming messages from sense organs (except for smell) come through » sorts messages and passes them on to the proper groups of neurons » Acquisition of knowledge(cognition) * Hypothalamus » Controls instinctive behavior » Directs body responses to hunger, thirst, stress (deep breathing) » Pleasure center

• Forebrain cont’d Cerebrum » Allows you to experience consciousness (thought) » Forms 60% of your brain * divided into two cerebral hemispheres connected by a mass of white matter known as the corpus callosum » Cerebral Cortex divided into four lobes (+ 1 part) and contains most of the specific areas that affect * muscle coordination * memory * concentration * problem solving * decision making

• Forebrain cont’d Cerebral cortex lobes Occipital lobe » Located in the back of the head » Interprets the signals transmitted by the eyes an allows you to “see” Temporal lobe » Located at the side of the head » Handle both auditory and olfactory senses Parietal lobe » Located at the top of the head » Governs sense of touch » Keeps track of different parts of the body (If sensory motor cortex were to be damaged…)

• Forebrain cont’d Frontal lobe » Plays a key role in creativity, emotional control and attention span » Provides coordination that keeps feet, legs, arms, etc. working together » Large portion devoted to hands and mouth » Because tool use and spoken language are the major developments separating humans from lower animals, this unequal development makes biological sense * Insula - located deep within - association center

Left brain vs. Right brain • Connected by corpus callosum Which allows the two hemispheres to function in a coordinated fashion • If one side is damaged the other side is able to take over some functions it does not normally perform Ex. Language & stroke victims

Left brain vs. Right brain cont’d • Left hemisphere Controls right side of body Right-hand dominance uses logic detail oriented facts rule words and language present and past math and science can comprehend knowing acknowledges order/pattern perception knows object name reality based forms strategies practical safe 90% of the world • Right hemisphere Controls left side of body Left-hand dominance uses feeling "big picture" oriented imagination rules symbols and images present and future philosophy & religion can "get it" (i. e. meaning) believing appreciates spatial perception knows object function fantasy based presents possibilities impetuous risk taking

Split Brain surgery • Roger Sperry • Michael Gazzaniga * Corpus callosum is severed * Performed in patients suffering from epilepsy

Disorders that affect the brain Region Cerebral cortex Disorder depression, Huntington's disease, mania Cerebrum epilepsy, stroke • frontal lobe Alzheimer's disease, depression, mania • parietal lobe Alzheimer's disease • temporal lobe Alzheimer's disease, depression, mania Limbic system mania • amygdala depression • hippocampus Alzheimer's disease, mania

• Neuron

• Neural pathway (biological “wiring” of the brain) • Cell body • Nucleus – where equipment is located • Dendrites • Carry the signals • Axon • Carries the impulses from cell body to the dendrites of nearby neurons

Nerve impulse Axon Neurotransmitters Receptor molecules Dendrite of receiving neuron

• Problems * Neurons cannot “regrow” (except for hippocampus) • Multiple Sclerosis • Damage to myelin which does not allow messages to pass where they need to go • Epilepsy • In epilepsy this order is disrupted by some neuron discharging signals inappropriately. There may be a kind of brief electrical "storm" arising from neurons that are inherently unstable because of a genetic defect (as in the various types of inherited epilepsy), or from neurons made unstable by metabolic abnormalities such as low blood glucose, or alcohol.

• Endocrine glands • hormones • Regulate everything from physical growth to sexual functioning • Most important: pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, sex glands • Pituitary • Regulate growth hormones • Adrenal • Prepares the body to cope with emergencies • Regulates chemical balance of the body

• Endocrine glands cont’d • Neurotransmitters • Thyroid • Determines the body’s energy level • Severe thyroid deficiency can affect intellectual development • Sex glands (gonads) • Ovaries/testes • Regulate the development of sex organs and prepares the body for reproduction

CHEMICAL MESSENGERS • Neurotransmitters • Serotonin • Sleep, sensory perception, pain suppression, mood • Dopamine • Voluntary movement, learning, memory, emotion • Acetylcholine • Muscle action, cognitive functioning, memory, emotion • Norepinephrine • Learning, memory, dreaming, emotion, increased heart rate and slowing of intestinal activity during stress • Glutamate • Plays critical role in long-term memory • GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) • Inhibitory neurotransmitter

CHEMICAL MESSENGERS • Neurotransmitters, cont’d • Problems when too high or too low • Low serotonin and norepinephrine • Severe depression • Abnormal GABA levels • Sleep & eating disorders • Loss of acetylcholine • Memory loss • Related diseases • Alzheimer’s Disease • Lose brain cells responsible for producing acetylcholine • Leads to memory loss, personality changes and eventual disintegration of all physical and mental abilities

CHEMICAL MESSENGERS • Endorphins – the brain’s natural opiates • Play a role in: • Reducing pain • Promoting pleasure • Appetite • Learning • Sexual activity • Blood pressure • Mood • Memory

CHEMICAL MESSENGERS • Hormones • Adrenal hormones • Produced by adrenal glands • Involved in emotion and stress • Also respond to heat, cold, pain, injury and physical exercise • Melatonin • Secreted by the pineal gland • Promotes sleep • Regulate daily biological rhythms • Biological rhythms – hormone levels, daylight, menstrual • Circadian rhythms – occur approx every 24 hrs, sleep/wake cycle • Controlled by a biological clock – melatonin keeps in phase with light/dark cycle

CHEMICAL MESSENGERS • Hormones cont’d • Sex hormones • Secreted by tissue in the gonads & adrenal glands • Occurs in both sexes but in different amounts after puberty • Androgens – masculinizing hormones(most imp. Testosterone) • Mainly in testes but also in ovaries and adrenal glands • Estrogens & Progesterone – feminizing hormones • Mainly in ovaries but also in testes and adrenal glands • Research continues on contributions of hormones in behavior not directly related to sex and reproduction

APPLICATIONS • Neuropsychology – Uses techniques to study the brain • EEG (electroencephalograph) a recording of electrical signals(neural signals) from the brain made by hooking up electrodes to the subject's scalp. • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) This complicated technique uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce an image of brain structure on a computer.

APPLICATIONS – Cont’d • PET (Positron Emission Tomography) A method for analyzing biochemical activity in the brain, using injections of a glucose-like substance containing a radioactive element. • CAT (Computed Axial Tomography) Uses special x-ray equipment to obtain image data from different angles around the body and then uses computer processing of the information to show a cross-section of body tissues and organs.

Mental Disorders • Mental disorders can have a physiological basis and may arise from changes in brain chemistry. • Mental disorders can be divided into various classes. • Among them are: • Delirium, dementia, and amnestic and other cognitive disorders • Anxiety disorders • Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders • Mood disorders • Impulse-control disorders • Personality disorders • Eating disorders

• Depression Applications Mood disorder most closely associated with persistent sadness • Memory The capacity to retain and retrieve information, and also to the mental structures that account for this capacity. • Aggression A forceful action or procedure; hostile, injurious or destructive behavior • Language Set of rules for combining elements that are in themselves meaningless into utterances that convey meaning

APPLICATIONS Cont’d • Psychosurgery *Lobotomy • ? Surgeons separate some of the cables connecting the frontal lobes to the thalamus *Cingulotomy • ? Surgeons separate some of the nerve tracts from the frontal lobes to the cingulate gyrus which is the place in our brain supposedly responsible for mediating anxiety. With neural cords cut, anxious, obsessive messages can’t get through. *Electroconvulsive Therapy • Sterile seizures are introduced …

APPLICATIONS Cont’d • Medications *Anti-depressants • Act by… (Drugs and Behavior) • Gender Differences • Men and women display patterns of behavioral and cognitive differences that reflect varying hormonal influences on brain development

BIOLOGICAL Methodologies • Biology is a science, psychology is a science. Thus, experimental method is frequently used. • Correlates of biological processes to human behavior can be established and triangulated. • Analogue research with animals establishes a base from which to consider human behavior. • Neuropsychology uses techniques to study the brain such as EEG and scanning techniques (structural imaging-CAT and MRI and *functional imaging PET scans) to give info on aggression, stress and learning. (see handout brain and behavior 83)

BIOLOGICAL Treatment Approaches 1. What treatment provides the best outcome for depressed patients? 2. What is one advantage of biological treatment? 3. Explain the medical model of mental illness. 4. Explain the problems associated with anti-anxiety drugs. 5. What is the treatment psychosurgery & who developed it? 6. What is the difference between organic disorders & functional mental disorders? 7. What are the drawbacks of anti-psychotic medications? 8. What are three major kinds of biological treatments? 9. What questions must a researcher ask when determining if a disorder has a biological cause. 10. Explain the use of electroconvulsive therapy 11. In what percentage of bipolar patents are anti-bipolar drugs effective? 12. What are three problems with biological treatments? 13. What are the benefits of anti-psychotic medications?

BIOLOGICAL Strengths and limitations • Strong methodology • Objective • Applications in mental disorders very effective • • Reductionist Can be over simplistic Ethical considerations Animal research may not serve always as correlational evidence to understanding human behavior • Pinning down a relationship between neurotransmitter abnormalities and behavioral abnormalities is extremely difficult. Drugs that boost or decrease neurotransmitter levels, are sometimes effective in treating disorders but does mean that this causes disorders. After all, aspirin can relieve a headache, but headaches are not caused by a lack of aspirin.

CAN YOU? ? * List at least five researchers who are KEY to the school? * Explain the key ideas that dominate the perspective? * Explain the attitude toward determinism? * Explain the application of the perspective to certain issues, including: Dysfunctional psychology and therapy, Development, Education, or Personality development? * Ethical issues and other criticism of the research? * The methods employed by the perspective for research? * Issues of Cross-culturalism