Biological Psychology: Module 1

• Module 1 introduces biological psychology, natural selection and evolution, and ethical issues.

Biological Psychology

• Biological psychology, also known as behavioral neuroscience, is a multidisciplinary field.
• The field integrates psychology, biology, physiology, chemistry, and computer science.
• The primary goal is to understand the biological processes underlying behavior and experiences.
• Knowledge gained is valuable in research and healthcare careers.

Generalisation and Reduction

• Generalisation is when an overall conclusion is made based on similar observations.
• For example, after reading studies about brain damage affecting motion processing in multiple species, one might generalize that a specific brain area is important for motion processing in all animals.
• Reduction involves understanding a complex idea by breaking it down into smaller parts.
• For example, a research team studying language learning could explore specific brain areas involved in language production and comprehension, or analyze electrochemical activity in the brain.
• Making overall generalisations about brain-behaviour relationships and reduction of behaviour to brain structure and function are both important.

History of Biological Psychology

• Humans have long been interested in the relationship between the mind, body, and brain.
• The mind-body problem examines if the mind is separate from the body, or if arises from the body.
• In ancient Egypt, feelings and thoughts were believed to originate from the heart.
• King Tutankhamen's mummification process involved preserving the liver, stomach, intestines, lungs, and heart, while the brain was thrown away.
• Ancient China emphasized a holistic approach, with a balance between body, mind, and nature for health.
• The Christian Bible often mentions the heart.
• Aristotle (384-322 BCE) believed the heart was the mind and the brain cooled the passions of the heart.
• Hippocrates (370-460 BCE) believed that both pleasure and sorrow originated from the brain.
• Galen (129-210 CE) is known as the Father of Modern Medicine due to linking the mind to the brain.
• Galen also treated head injuries and dissected animal brains to understand anatomy and physiology.
• Descartes argued that animals behaved like machines and coined the term "reflexes".
• Descartes thought the mind and body interacted and the interactions occurred via the pineal gland.
• Descartes proposed that the pineal gland caused fluid to travel from the brain and stimulate movement.
• Luigi Galvani (1737-1798) tested mind-body interactions, empirically.
• Luigi Galvani showed that muscles contracted with electrical stimulation, even when detached.
• Müller's Doctrine of Specific Nerve Energies stated that information from nerves is electrical and is used to perceive visuals, touch, and sound.
• Different parts of the brain receive information from different nerves, suggesting different brain areas have different functions.

Natural Selection and Evolution

• Physical features related to function govern behaviour.
• Function should be considered when studying what brain features shape behaviour, this is called Functionalism.
• Adaptive features of a species come about due to natural selection.
• Physical features vary within a species.
• Some features increase the chances of survival and reproduction as well as being inherited.
• Natural selection = Features increasing the chance of survival and reproduction become more common in a population.
• Evolution = Gradual changes in a species brought about via natural selection over time.
• Organisms are made of cells with chromosomes.
• Chromosomes contain pairs of genes, called alleles.
• Genes provide the instructions for producing proteins to carry out cellular functioning.
• Each allele in a pair is a version of a gene inherited from each parent.
• Mutations are changes in genetic information that are in chromosomes of sperm or eggs.
• Mutations can be passed to offspring leading to more variation.
• Mutations can change physical characteristics (e.g the brain), which then can impact behavior, these can have either positive or negative effects.
• Positive Effects (selective advantage) = Increase survival and reproduction chances
• Negative effects = Decrease survival chances
• Some mutations do not immediately impact chances of survival until the mutations are passed on.
• Genetic variability is useful, particularly when there are changes in the environment.
• Ancestors had characteristics suited for survival requiring complex brain circuitry and a larger brain.
• The brain continues to grow after birth while the child is cared for.
• Evolutionarily, this means the brain does not need task-specific cells at birth.
• Instead, neural pathways can be shaped by the environment.
• An infant brain tunes to all languages and tunes to their native tongue, with experience.
• A human brain is smaller than a killer whale brain; brain size should be considered relative to body size.
• When it comes to complex cognition, neuron availability is what matters.
• Neoteny helps the human brain by slowing down brain maturation, giving the brain more time to develop.

Ethics in Biological Psychology

• Animal research and human research require ethical approval and must be ethical.

Animal Research

• Biological psychology studies both humans and animals.
• Essential animal research has to be both humane and worthwhile.
• Standards and frameworks must be met and are assessed by regulatory bodies.
• Researchers must follow the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes as well as the Queensland Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
• Researchers have to complete Animal Ethics Training before conducting animal research.
• Animal Ethics Training covers ethical animal research principles, responsibilities of investigators and animal carers, animal wellbeing, ethical clearance for research, plus methods and reporting.
• Researchers also have to apply for approval from the Animal Ethics Committee.
• The code emphasizes replacement, refinement, and reduction. These principles are included in guidelines worldwide

Human Research

• Human research is regulated by strict guidelines.
• In Australia, research is guided by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and the Griffith University Research Ethics Manual.
• Ethical approval must be gained for psychological studies from the Griffith Human Research Ethics Committee.
• Informed consent from participants is very important.
• Informed consent consists of the process where the individual is fully aware of the study goals, participation risks and benefits, and date use, storage, and sharing.
• Neuroethics is another important consideration.