Biological perspective

Biological perspective

1. Biological Perspective Instructor: Rustam Ali

2. Schools and Perspectives in Psychology Structuralism Functionalism Behaviorism Gestaltism Psychodynamic Biological Perspective Cognitive Perspective Existential Perspective Humanistic Perspective Cultural Perspective Islamic Perspective

3. Historically Roots Biopsychology as a specialized discipline gained its importance during 18th and 19th centuries. Eminent philosopher Rene Descartes propounded the physical model for explaining the behavior of animals and humans. According to him, the Pineal gland which exists in the brain of many organisms is the point of connection between body and brain. Descartes was also responsible for introducing the concept of reflexes which led to muscle responses, though this was later denied by the researchers with an argument that spinal cord is responsible for muscular responses.

4. 18th and 19th centuries William James  in his works  “The Principles of Psychology”, 1890,  tried to highlight that the study of psychology should be aligned with an understanding of the biological parameters. Knight Dunlap first coined the term  “psychobiology”  in his work  “An Outline of Psychobiology” in 1914. In a nutshell, the philosophers were engaged in understanding the relationship between the physical and mental worlds. Ever since 18th and 19th centuries, the researchers have contributed some important research findings which explain the functioning of human brain and unveiled crucial findings on neurons, functioning of the nervous system and neuro -transmitters .

5. Methods which relate biological to psychology The biological perspective is relevant to psychology through three areas of investigation. Comparative method: by studying different animal species, their behavior under similar stimuli can be compared to human data enhancing the understanding of human behaviors. Physiology: how the nervous system and hormones work, how the brain functions, how changes in structure and/or function can affect behavior. For example, we could ask how prescribed drugs to treat depression affect behavior through their interaction with the nervous system. Inheritance: what an animal inherits from its parents, mechanisms of inheritance (genetics). For example, we might want to know whether high intelligence is inherited from one generation to the next.

6. Theories Leading to Biological Perspective There are four main theories which contributed to the development of the biological perspective of psychology. Dualism: A theory developed by Descartes. He determined that although the body and mind are separate , they do interact through the brain's pineal gland. This theory has been disregarded by many psychologists. Materialism: This theory assumes a physical aspect to all behavior . It is based on animal and human genetics studies suggesting genes evolved over long periods of time. Heredity: This theory assumes that behavioral traits result from the passing on of characteristics through gene transfer from one generation to the next. Natural Selection: This theory was developed by Charles Darwin who proposed the idea that random variations in organisms led to better reproductive success ensuring the passing on of these traits to subsequent generations.

7. Consider an issue like  aggression The psychoanalytic perspective might view aggression as the result of childhood experiences and  unconscious  urges. The behavioral perspective considers how the behavior was shaped by association,  reinforcement , and  punishment . The biological viewpoint, on the other hand, would involve looking at the biological roots that lie behind aggressive behaviors. Someone who takes the biological perspective might consider how certain types of brain injury might lead to aggressive actions. Or they might consider genetic factors that can contribute to such displays of behavior.

8. Theories required a unifying perspective The development of these theories required a unifying perspective explaining the connection between psychology and physiology. Almost every human behavior and mood is analyzed by the biological perspective for its physiological origin. Criminal behavior, depression, happiness, and personality disorders have been studied extensively by this perspective. Happiness Criminal behavior: It was widely held by bio-psychologists that criminal behavior was due largely to heredity and many were in favor of eugenics, a means, they thought, to improve the human species through compulsory sterilization of criminals, the mentally retarded, and others thought to be social misfits due to the inheritance of undesirable traits, is thought to be due to the quality of experience offered by our nervous system. Depression results from a traumatic situation which alters a person's nervous system leading to the secretion or inhibition of secretion of specific neurotransmitters. A person's personality will determine his/her perception of the experience.

9. Psychology as  biopsychology This field of psychology is often referred to as  biopsychology  or physiological psychology. This  branch of psychology  has grown tremendously in recent years and is linked to other areas of science including biology, neurology, and genetics. The biological perspective is essentially a way of looking at human problems and actions. The study of physiology and biological processes has played a significant role in psychology since its  earliest beginnings . Charles Darwin first introduced the idea that evolution and genetics play a role in human behavior. Natural selection influences whether certain behavior patterns are passed down to future generations. Behaviors that aid in survival are more likely to be passed down while those that prove dangerous are less likely to be inherited.

10. Biological Perspective Biological Perspective presented by McDougall Explained biological functions as the basis of behaviour The biological perspective states that all thoughts, feeling & behavior ultimately have a biological cause. Major Areas of Biological perspective Genetics Immune system Human Nervous System[ brain] Neuro -transmitters Glands

11. Genetics Genetics is a branch of biology concerned with the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in organisms.  Biological perspective study how genes affect behavior. Now that the human genome is mapped, perhaps, we will someday understand more precisely how behavior is affected by the DNA we inherit. Biological factors such as chromosomes, hormones and the brain all have a significant influence on human behavior, for example,  gender . The Biological perspective believes that most behavior is inherited and has an adaptive (or evolutionary) function.

12. Behavior and Genetics Bio-psychologists study many of the same things that other psychologists do, but they are interested in looking at how biological forces shape human behaviors. Some topics Analyzing how trauma to the brain influences behaviors Assessing the differences and similarities in twins to determine which characteristics are tied to genetics and which are linked to environmental influences Exploring how genetic factors influence such things as aggression Investigating how degenerative brain diseases impact how people act Studying how genetics and brain damage are linked to mental disorders

13.   Nature versus nurture The biological perspective is a way of looking at psychological issues by studying the physical basis for animal and human behavior. One of the major debates in psychology has long centered over the relative contributions of  nature versus nurture . Those who take up the nurture side of the debate suggest that it is the environment that plays the greatest role in shaping behavior. The biological perspective tends to stress the importance of nature.

14. Nature versus nurture

15. The   immune system   The  immune system  is a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection. The organs and processes of the body that provide resistance to infection and toxins. Organs include the thymus, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. The  immune system  keeps a record of every germ (microbe) it has ever defeated so it can recognise and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again.

16. Human Nervous System Human is the most complex creator of this universe so all of his systems are well developed, advance, and complex. Thus the nervous system is most complex, advance, and efficient.

17. Neuron Neuron or nerve cell is the structural and functional unit of nervous system Specialized cells for the conduction of nerve impulses A neuron has three parts: Cell body ; consists of cytoplasm and nucleus, a prominent nucleolus. It also contains Golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes . It provides nutrition to neuron. Dendrites ; One or more short processes called dendrons which conduct impulses towards the cell body Axon ; It is a single long fiber, arises from the cell body. It carries messages away from the cell body

18. Types of neurons Sensory or afferent neuron It carries messages from a sense organ to central nervous system. Motor or efferent neuron It takes messages from CNS to an effect or (muscle or gland) Associative or interneuron It takes impulse from sensory neuron and pass it to motor neuron

19. Human Nervous System Central NS Peripheral NS Bra i n Spinal Cord Somatic NS Autonomic NS Parasympathetic NS Sympathetic NS

20. Central Nervous System lies in the midline of body. consists of about 10 to 100 billion neurons. concerned with judgment, thinking, memory, emotions CNS consists of: Brain Spinal cord

21. Physiology and structure of the brain Biological psychologists explain behaviors in neurological terms, i.e., the physiology and structure of the brain and how this influences behavior.  Many biological psychologists have concentrated on abnormal behavior and have tried to explain it.  For example, biological psychologists believe that schizophrenia is affected by levels of dopamine (a neurotransmitter).

22. Mental illness These findings have helped psychiatry take off and help relieve the symptoms of  mental illness  through drugs. However, Freud and other disciplines would argue that this just treats the symptoms and not the cause. This is where health psychologists take the finding that biological psychologists produce and look at the environmental factors that are involved to get a better picture.

23. Weight: about 3 pounds Located in cranial cavity of skull Contains of billions of cells that integrate information from inside and outside the body, coordinate the body’s actions, and enable human beings for various functions Divisions of the brain Forebrain Mid Brain Hindbrain B r a in

24. Forebrain The forebrain is the largest and most complex region of the brain, consists of following structures: T halamus , sensory information (except smell) H ypothalamus , basic biological needs L imbic system , Amygdala (emotions) and Hippocampus (memory) C erebrum , learning, memory, thinking, judgement , decision-making and sensory information

25. Mid Brain lies between hindbrain and forebrain processing of visual and auditory information breathing, pain perception, regulation of sleep and arousal.

26. Pons bridge for conduction of impulses between cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and cerebrum. regulate the rate of breathing sleep and wake cycle Cerebellum little brain coorrdination of movements balance and stability of body learning new and motor tasks if destroyed, movements will be jerky and disturbed. attaches to the spinal cord controls unconscious but vital functions such as circulating blood, breathing, maintaining muscle tone, sneezing, coughing, and salivating Medulla oblongata Hind Brian

27. Glands and Types of Glands an organ which produces and releases substances that perform a specific function in the body . Types of Glands Exocrine Gland These gland sends their secretions through ducts directly to target organs of the body. The  secretary products are enzymes, mucous and other substance. e.g. The important exocrine gland are  salivary glands, liver, pancreas, sweat glands etc. Endocrine Gland  These gland are the ductless and their secretions that are hormones are directly poured into the circulating blood and reach the organ.

28. What is Endocrine glands ? Group of ductless glands  that regulate body processes by secreting Hormones that act on nearby tissues or are carried in the bloodstream to act on specific target organs and distant tissues. Functions Makes hormones that control your moods, growth and development, metabolism, organs, and reproduction. Controls how your hormones are released Sends those hormones into your bloodstream so they can travel to other body parts or target area. 

29. In the context of psychology Endocrinology , which is the scientific study of the interaction between hormones and behavior.   In Gonads Hormones and Aggressive behaviour     Dabbs , Hargrove, and Heusel (1996) measured the testosterone levels on males to check their aggression level. They found that males with the highest average testosterone levels were more wild and unruly and males with the lowest average testosterone levels were more well behaved, friendly and pleasant.    

30. Hormones Hormones are  chemical substances that act like messenger molecules in the body . After being made in one part of the body, they travel to other parts of the body where they help control how cells and organs do their work. For example, insulin is a hormone that's made by the beta cells in the pancreas. Adrenal cortex is the outer region of kidney that secretes a specific hormone called as Cortisol Cortisol the stress hormone The adrenal cortex releases a hormone called as Cortisol which activate in stress condition . It has effect on cognitive functioning ; at low level it enhances memory and at high level cause memory impairement and neuronal death. 

31. Major Endocrine Glands Pituitary Gland  Thyroid Gland  Parathyroid Gland  Adrenal Gland Pancreas Gonads Pineal gland