Psycho Biological Perspective

• The psycho biological perspective focuses on the brain's analysis and decision-making roles.
• The spinal cord's role is transporting information.
• The nervous system and sleep/dreams are components of the psycho biological perspective.

Pioneers

• Wilder G. Penfield
• Brenda Milner
• Paul Broca
• Carl Wernicke

Study Objects

• Relationships between an organism and a person's functioning are key
• Physiological activity is a determinant

Nervous System Structure

• It comprises the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
• The Cerebrum and spinal cord are key.
• The brain analyzes and decides.
• The spinal cord transports information.
• The peripheral nervous system contains sensory and motor nerves
• Sensory nerves involve the 5 senses
• Motor nerves control movement

Autonomous Nervous System

• The autonomous nervous system regulates involuntary actions like breathing and heartbeats
• It decides between sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) responses.
• The sympathetic system triggers alert mode.
• The parasympathetic system promotes rest, reduces vigilance, and relaxes muscles.

Nervous System Cells

• These include neurons and glial cells.
• There are 85 billion neurons and 85 billion glial cells.
• Neurons communicate.
• Glial cells support the neurons.
• There are three types of neurons comprising sensory, motor, and inter-neurons.
• There are threey types of glial cells comprising astrocytes (nutrition), microglies (cleaning), and oligodendrocytes (insulation).

Neurons

• The cell nucleus and body protect the neuron
• The axon transmits nerve impulses
• The myelin sheath protects the axon.
• The axon terminal transmits information to the dendrite.

Nerve Impulse Transmission

• It involves both electrical and chemical conduction.

Synapse

• it is the junction between two neurons.
• It includes the presynaptic terminal (axon terminal) and the postsynaptic dendrite
• Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft to transmit signals.

Neurotransmitters

• There are approximately 60 neurotransmitters that exists
• Acetylcholine impacts memory loss and Alzheimer's -Abundance includes memory loss, Alzheimer's
• Glutamate can lead to Alzheimer's.
• Dopamine impacts Schizophrenia and Parkinson's -Abundance includes Schizophrenia -Insufficiency includes Parkinson's
• Noradrenaline results in affective disorders (mania). -Abundance includes affective disorders (mania) -Insufficiency includes affective disorders
• Serotonin results in anxiety and depression. -Insufficiency includes anxiety, depression
• Endorphin inhibits pain and increases euphoric sensations.
• GABA reduces anxiety and panic and prevents epilepsy. -Insufficiency includes Epilepsy

Brain Structures

• Key components: brain, spinal cord.
• The cerebrum and spinal cord carry information

Inferior Structures

• They include the brainstem: sleep/wake cycle, heart rhythm, breathing, and autonomous system.
• Includes the Trunk which controls parasympathetic and sympathetic systems.
• Includes an annular protuberance, rachidian bulb, and reticulated formation
• Cerebellum is present

Central Structures

• The hippocampus is responsible for memory (recalling memories, learning, sports).
• The thalamus transmits sensory messages to the correct location.
• The hypothalamus and amygdala manage a person's emotions (hunger, thirst, sexuality).
• Presence of frontal lobe, thalamus, hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdale, hypophysis, olfactory bulb, limb system

Superior Structures

• Two hemispheres: cerebral cortex and 85% of the volume of the brain.
• Two halves that manage opposite hemisphere.
• The interhemispheric fissure deeply connects to bodies

Cerebral Cortex

• It facilitates the transmission of information between the two hemispheres.

Lobes

• Frontal: personality, impulsivity, attention (ADHD); contains the motor cortex (movement).
• Parietal: Contains the somesthetic cortex (sensations); touch, pain, heat, cold.
• Occipital: Visual cortex.
• Temporal: Auditory cortex.

Cortical Areas

• Broca's area (frontal lobe) controls pronunciation.
• Wernicke's area (temporal lobe) controls comprehension.
• Both are responsible for language: motor cortex, premotor cortex, Broca area, prefontal cortex
• Consists of the primary auditory cortex and the Wernicke area
• Consits of the Homnculus and optical routes

Aphasia

• Broca's aphasia affects speech
• Wernicke's aphasia affects the ability to understand language and results in disorganized speech.

Sleep and Dreams

• It includes sleep/dreams

Sleep Importance

• Replenishes energy
• Eliminates accumulated waste in muscles
• Repairs the cells in body and brain
• Reinforces the immune system
• Recovers the physical capacities lost during the day
• Promotes mental agility, originality, creative thinking, vigilance, and attention.

Typical Night's Sleep Pattern

• It include micro-awakenings
• The cycle consists of 4 stages: paradoxical and awaking
• Includes light and intense sleep

Sleep Cycles

• Stage 1 and 2: light sleep (50% of night).
  • Stage 1 involves light sleep, may recall sensations or visual images.
  • Stage 2: soft sounds and light noises do not usually disturb the sleeper, impression of blurred dream
• Stages 3 and 4: deep sleep (25% of night).
  • Stage 3 involves slow and regular pulse/breathing, tense muscles, low brain activity.
  • Stage 4 includes slow pulse but it is still declining
• Paradoxical sleep: 20%-25% of night, intense brain activity.
  • Muscles are completely relaxed but eye movement is at its max

Healthy Sleep Habits

• Following regular sleep times
• Maintaining a regular exposure to light
• Avoiding naps and stimulants

Dreams

• Biological perspective: activation-synthesis theory.
• Psychodynamic perspective: symbolic satisfaction of unconscious desires.
• Cognitive perspective: organizing new information.
• The brain attempts to organize recent thoughts during dreams

Psycho biological Perspective Evaluation

• It includes key contributions to reject an extreme environmental and improved understanding of and a recognition of the contribution of good health in brain.
• There is a reductionism and hastive conclusions

Somnambulism

• Somnambulism is sleepwalking
• It occurs during 3-4 level deep sleep and muscles tense
• It is harmless to wake them up but they may be disoriented
• Mostly frequent in children ages 3-6

The psycho biological perspective deals with the brain's analysis, decision-making roles and the spinal cord's role in transporting information between the central and peripheral nervous systems. This perspective studies relationships between an organism and a person's functioning, and regards physiological activity as a determinant. The autonomous nervous system regulates involuntary actions like breathing and heartbeats.