Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following concepts refers to the belief that only the mind truly exists?
Which of the following concepts refers to the belief that only the mind truly exists?
- Dualism
- Identity Position
- Mentalism (correct)
- Materialism
What does biological psychology study?
What does biological psychology study?
The physical roots of behavior.
What does dualism propose?
What does dualism propose?
- Mind and brain processes are identical
- Only the mind exists
- Mind and body are separate entities (correct)
- Behavior is genetically determined
Who is a famous philosopher associated with the belief of dualism?
Who is a famous philosopher associated with the belief of dualism?
Which term refers to the mechanism used to pass inheritance from one generation to the next?
Which term refers to the mechanism used to pass inheritance from one generation to the next?
High heritability means that a trait depends largely on environmental influences.
High heritability means that a trait depends largely on environmental influences.
What does the term 'multiplier effect' refer to?
What does the term 'multiplier effect' refer to?
What is another term used for identical twins in research?
What is another term used for identical twins in research?
How many chromosomes are present in every human cell?
How many chromosomes are present in every human cell?
PKU (Phenylketonuria) results in the inability to metabolize _____
PKU (Phenylketonuria) results in the inability to metabolize _____
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Study Notes
Biological Psychology
- Study of the physical roots of behavior
- Focuses on physiology, evolution, development, and brain functioning
Genetics and Behavior
- Genes and environment both shape human behavior
- Heritability: the extent to which genetic influences contribute to a trait
- Traits with high heritability depend heavily on genetic influences
Biological Explanations of Behavior
- Physiological: Emphasizes the brain and other vital organs
- Ontogenetic: Describes the development of a structure or behavior
- Evolutionary: Focuses on the genetic history of a behavior
- Functional: Describes why a structure or behavior evolved
The Mind-Brain Relationship
- Explores the connection between the mind and the brain
- Mind-body problem: questions how the mind and body interact
Monism
- Belief that the universe is composed of one type of substance
- Materialism: Everything is physical in nature
- Mentalism: Only the mind truly exists
- Identity position: Mental processes are the same as brain processes but described differently
Dualism
- Belief that the mind and body are separate entities
- Defended by Rene Descartes, a French philosopher
Heredity
- Mechanism for passing inherited information from one generation to the next
Multiplier Effect
- Genetic tendencies guide behavior and result in environmental changes
- Magnifies the original genetic tendency
Twin and Adoption Studies
- Researchers examine identical and fraternal twins to understand genetic influences on behavior
- They also study adopted children to compare similarities to biological parents
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Genetic inability to metabolize phenylalanine
- Can cause brain damage unless phenylalanine is removed from the diet
Genetics of Human Life
- Every cell has 46 chromosomes except for sex cells (23 chromosomes each)
- Chromosomes: carry genetic information
- DNA: Contains the instructions for building and maintaining the body
- RNA: Copy of a strand of DNA that plays a key role in protein synthesis
- Proteins: Provide structure and control chemical reactions
- Enzymes: Proteins that control the rates of chemical reactions
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