Unit 2
Biological Psychology
Big Question: Is our brain and our mind the same thing? How does the brain function to create the “human experience?”
Biological Psychology Objectives:
Biological Psychology Overview
Neuroscience is concerned with the functions of the brain, its component neural systems, and their genetic blueprints, which provide the basis for all human behavior. Under the direction of the brain, the nervous and endocrine systems coordinate a variety of voluntary and involuntary behaviors and serve as the body’s mechanisms for communication with the external environment.
The brain consists of the brainstem, the limbic system, and the cerebral cortex. Knowledge of the workings of the brain has increased with recent advances in neuroscientific methods. Studies of split-brain patients have also given researchers a great deal of information about the specialized functions of the brain’s right and left hemispheres.
The chapter concludes with a discussion of how psychologists use evolutionary principles to answer universal questions about human behavior and specific questions about individual differences.
Many students find the technical material in this chapter difficult to master. Not only are there many terms for you to remember, but you must also know the organization and function of the various divisions of the nervous system. Learning this material will require a great deal of rehearsal. Working the chapter review several times, drawing and labeling brain diagrams, and mentally reciting terms are all useful techniques for rehearsing this type of material.
Biological Psychology Objectives:
- Describe the structure and types of neurons and explain how neural impulses are generated.
- Describe how nerve cells communicate and discuss the impact of neurotransmitters and drugs on human behavior.
- Identify the major divisions of the nervous system.
- Identify the methods used to study the brain.
- Describe the overall organization of the brain.
- Describe the functions served by the various structures within the brainstem.
- Describe the structure and functions of the limbic systems and explain the relationship between the hypothalamus and the endocrine system.
- Describe the structure and functions of the cerebral cortex and discuss how damage to different cortical areas can impair language functioning.
- Discuss the capacity of the brain to reorganize following injury or illness.
- Describe research on the split brain and discuss what it reveals regarding normal brain functioning.
Biological Psychology Overview
Neuroscience is concerned with the functions of the brain, its component neural systems, and their genetic blueprints, which provide the basis for all human behavior. Under the direction of the brain, the nervous and endocrine systems coordinate a variety of voluntary and involuntary behaviors and serve as the body’s mechanisms for communication with the external environment.
The brain consists of the brainstem, the limbic system, and the cerebral cortex. Knowledge of the workings of the brain has increased with recent advances in neuroscientific methods. Studies of split-brain patients have also given researchers a great deal of information about the specialized functions of the brain’s right and left hemispheres.
The chapter concludes with a discussion of how psychologists use evolutionary principles to answer universal questions about human behavior and specific questions about individual differences.
Many students find the technical material in this chapter difficult to master. Not only are there many terms for you to remember, but you must also know the organization and function of the various divisions of the nervous system. Learning this material will require a great deal of rehearsal. Working the chapter review several times, drawing and labeling brain diagrams, and mentally reciting terms are all useful techniques for rehearsing this type of material.
Homework
Unit 2 Assignment |
Handouts
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Notes and Assignments
2.1 - Neuron, Nervous System, Endocrine System, and Hormones
Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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2.2 - The Brain
Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
Unit 2 - Day 8 - Splint Brain and Ways to Study the Brain |
Day 9 - Unit 2 Vocab Quiz
Unit 2 - Day 9 - Brain Stations Day - Vocab Quiz |
Day 10 - 2.2 Test Day
Unit 2 - Day 10 - Test Day |
OpenStax Book
Chapter 3 - Biopsychology |
Online Practice Tests
Schallhorn Review Videos
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"Crash Course" Psychology Review Videos
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Review PowerPoints
(Not mine from class, but VERY DETAILED)
Biological Psychology PowerPoint |
Review Sheets / Study Guides
Biological Bases of Behavior Study Guide |