Biological Psychology Major Issues

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Questions and Answers

What is biological psychology primarily concerned with?

  • The mental processes that drive behavior.
  • The social influences on individual actions.
  • The study of physiological, evolutionary, and developmental mechanisms. (correct)
  • The genetic predispositions of behavior.

Which explanation describes how a behavior develops through interactions of genes and experiences?

  • Physiological Explanation
  • Functional Explanation
  • Evolutionary Explanation
  • Ontogenetic Explanation (correct)

Which term refers to the belief that the universe consists of only one kind of substance?

  • Dualism
  • Materialism
  • Mentalism
  • Monism (correct)

What aspect is included in the physiological explanation of behavior?

<p>The brain activity related to a behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best exemplifies the functional explanation of a behavior?

<p>Male birds sing to attract females during the breeding season. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of identity position in the context of substance theories?

<p>Mental and physical aspects are interconnected as one substance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major issue discussed in biological psychology?

<p>Career opportunities in psychology (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of songbird behaviors, what would a physiological explanation include?

<p>The larger brain area associated with song in males. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Biological Psychology Overview

  • Biological Psychology explores the physiological, evolutionary, and developmental mechanisms of behavior and experience.
  • Synonymous terms include biopsychology, psychobiology, and behavioral neuroscience.
  • Neuroscience encompasses anatomical and chemical details relevant to behavior.

Types of Biological Explanations of Behavior

  • Physiological Explanation: Links behavior to brain and organ activity.
  • Functional Explanation: Describes the evolutionary purpose behind a structure or behavior.
  • Ontogenetic Explanation: Examines the development of structures or behaviors, influenced by genes, nutrition, and experiences.
  • Evolutionary Explanation: Reconstructs the evolutionary history behind behaviors or structures.

Examples in Songbirds

  • Physiological: Breeding male songbirds exhibit larger brain areas influenced by testosterone.
  • Ontogenetic: Young male songbirds learn songs by mimicking adult males.
  • Evolutionary: Similar songs between certain species suggest a shared ancestral origin.
  • Functional: Male songbirds sing during the breeding season to attract females and deter competing males.

Mind-Brain Relationship

  • Dualism: The belief that mind and body are separate substances, capable of existing independently.
  • Monism: Opposes dualism, asserting that the universe consists of one substance.
    • Materialism: Everything that exists is physical or material.
    • Mentalism: Only the mind is posited as real.
    • Identity Position: Proposes a unified substance that includes both material and mental aspects.

Career Opportunities in Biological Psychology

  • Exploration of diverse professional avenues may include research, clinical practice, and academic fields related to psychological and biological intersections.

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