Introduction to Biopsychology PDF

INTRODUCTION TO BIOPSYCHOLOGY Module 1 Zeia Beatriz C. Valencia, RPm, RPsy 01. WHAT IS BIOPSYCHOLOGY? 02. USE OF ANIMALS IN RESEARCH 03. DIVISIONS OF BIOPSYCHOLOGY OVERVIEW 04. EPIGENETICS OF BEHAVIORAL DEPARTME...

INTRODUCTION TO BIOPSYCHOLOGY Module 1 Zeia Beatriz C. Valencia, RPm, RPsy 01. WHAT IS BIOPSYCHOLOGY? 02. USE OF ANIMALS IN RESEARCH 03. DIVISIONS OF BIOPSYCHOLOGY OVERVIEW 04. EPIGENETICS OF BEHAVIORAL DEPARTMENT 05. GENETICS OF HUMAN PSYCHOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES OVERVIEW  BIOLOGY GIVES YOU A BRAIN. LIFE TURNS IT INTO A MIND. Jeffrey Eugenides BIOPSYCHOLOGY Biological psychology is the study of the physiological, evolutionary, and developmental mechanisms of behavior and experience. It is approximately synonymous with the terms: biopsychology, psychobiology, physiological psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. ORIGINS OF BIOPSYCHOLOGY Did not develop into a major neuroscientific discipline until the 20th century. The publication of The Organization of Behavior in 1949 by D.O. Hebb played a key role in its emergence. Hebb based his theory on experiments involving both humans and laboratory animals, on clinical case studies, and on logical arguments developed from his own insightful observations of daily life. HOW IS BIOPSYCHOLOGY RELATED TO THE OTHER DISCIPLINES OF NEUROSCIENCE? Neuroscience is a team effort, and biopsychologists are important members of the team (see Albright, Kandel, & Posner, 2000; Kandel & Squire, 2000). Biopsychologists are neuroscientists who bring to their research a knowledge of behavior and of the methods of behavioral research. HOW IS BIOPSYCHOLOGY RELATED TO THE OTHER DISCIPLINES OF NEUROSCIENCE? Neuroanatomy – the study of the structure of the nervous system. Neurochemistry – the study of the chemical bases of neural activity. Neuroendocrinology – the study of interactions between the nervous system and the endocrine system. HOW IS BIOPSYCHOLOGY RELATED TO THE OTHER DISCIPLINES OF NEUROSCIENCE? Neuropathology – the study of nervous system disorders. Neuropharmacology – the study of the effects of drugs on neural activity. Neurophysiology – the study of the functions and activities of the nervous system. THE USE OF ANIMALS IN RESEARCH WHY DO THEY STUDY NONHUMANS? 1.The underlying mechanisms of behavior are similar across species and sometimes easier to study in a nonhuman species. WHY DO THEY STUDY NONHUMANS? 2. We are interested in animals for their own sake. WHY DO THEY STUDY NONHUMANS? 3. What we learn about animals shed light on human evolution. WHY DO THEY STUDY NONHUMANS? 4. Legal or ethical restrictions prevent certain kinds of research on humans. In some cases, researchers simply observe how animal behavior in nature varies as a function of times of day, seasons of the year, changes in diet, and so forth. These procedures raise no ethical problems. In other studies, however, animals have been subjected to brain damage, electrode implantation, injections of drugs or hormones, and other procedures that are clearly not for their own benefit. Anyone with a conscience, including scientists, is distressed by this fact. Nevertheless, experimentation with animals has been critical to the medical research that led to methods for the prevention or treatment of polio, diabetes, measles, smallpox, massive burns, heart disease, and other serious conditions. Progress toward treating or preventing AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and other disorders depends largely on animal research. In much of medicine and biological psychology, research would progress slowly or not at all without animals. DEGREES OF OPPOSITION Minimalists - tolerate certain types of animal research but wish to limit or prohibit others depending on the probable value of research, the amount of distress to the animal, and the type of animal. THREE R’S (LEGAL STANDARDS) 1.Reduction - of animal numbers. 2.Replacement - using computer models or other substitutes for animals when possible. 3.Refinement - modifying the procedures to reduce pain and discomfort. DEGREES OF OPPOSITION Abolitionists - They maintain that all animals have the same rights as humans. They regard killing an animal as murder. Keeping an animal in a cage is slavery. Because animals cannot give informed consent to research, abolitionists insist it is wrong to use them in any way, regardless of the circumstances.  DEGREES OF OPPOSITION The disagreement between abolitionists and animal re- searchers is a dispute between two ethical positions: “Never knowingly harm an innocent” and “Sometimes a little harm leads to a greater good.” On the one hand, permitting research has the undeniable consequence of inflicting pain or distress. On the other hand, banning all use of animals would mean a great setback in medical research as well as the end of animal-to-human transplants (e.g., transplanting pig heart valves to prolong lives of people with heart diseases).  DIVISIONS OF BIOPSYCHOLOGY Physiological Psychology Studies the neural mechanisms of behavior through the direct manipulation and recording of the brain in controlled experiments - surgical and electrical methods are most common. Psychopharmacology It focuses on the manipulation of neural activity and behavior with drugs. Neuropsychology Is the study of the psychological effects of brain damage in human patients. Because human volunteers cannot ethically be exposed to experimental treatments that endanger normal brain function, neuropsychology deals almost exclusively with case studies and quasi-experimental studies of patients with brain damage resulting from disease, accident, or neurosurgery. Psychophysiology Is the division of biopsychology that studies the relation between physiological activity and psychological processes in human subjects. Cognitive Neuroscience Is the youngest division of biopsychology. Cognitive neuroscientists study the neural bases of cognition, a term that generally refers to higher intellectual processes such as thought, memory, attention, and complex perceptual processes Comparative Psychology Comparative psychologists compare the behavior of different species in order to understand the evolution, genetics, and adaptiveness of behavior. Some comparative psychologists study behavior in the laboratory; others engage in ethological research—the study of animal behavior in its natural environment. EPIGENETICS OF BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT Selective Breeding of “Maze-Bright” and “Maze-Dull” Rats A famous study in behavioral genetics conducted by Robert Tryon in the 1940s. Tryon used a maze with multiple routes to a goal box, and the rats were tested on how quickly and accurately they could navigate the maze.  Maze-Bright Rats: Rats that performed well in the maze (fewer errors, quicker completion) were selectively bred together. Maze-Dull Rats: Rats that performed poorly (more errors, slower completion) were also selectively bred together. Over several generations, the maze-bright rats consistently outperformed the maze-dull rats, even when both groups were raised in the same environment. This suggested that the ability to navigate the maze was largely inherited. However, later research found that environmental enrichment could improve the performance of maze-dull rats, indicating that both nature and nurture are important in cognitive development. Phenylketonuria: A Single-Gene Metabolic Disorder Phenylketonuria (PKU) was discovered in 1934 when a Norwegian dentist noticed a peculiar odor in the urine of his two intellectually disabled children. High levels of phenylpruvic acid were found in both samples. In addition to intellectually disability, the symptoms of PKU include vomiting, seizures, hy- peractivity, irritability, and brain damage (Strisciuglio & Concolino, 2014). Phenylketonuria: A Single-Gene Metabolic Disorder The pattern of transmission of PKU of afflicted individuals indicates that it is transmitted by a single gene mutation. PKU homozygotes lack phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme required for the conversion of the amino acid phenylalanine to tyrosine. As a result, phenylalanine accumulates in the body; and levels of dopamine are low. The consequence is abnormal brain development. Phenylketonuria: A Single-Gene Metabolic Disorder In most hospitals, the blood of the newborn is routinely screen and if found to have high phenylalanine levels, they are placed on a special diet. However, it does not prevent the development of subtle cognitive deficits (Moyle et al., 2007; Simon et al., 2008). The diet does not significantly reduce the development of intellectual disability in PKU homozygotes unless it is initiated within the first few weeks of life GENETICS OF HUMAN PSYCHOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES To assess the relative contributions of genes and ex- perience to the development of differences in psychological attributes, behavioral geneticists study individuals of known genetic similarity - such as monozygotic and dizygotic twins. The most extensive of twin adoption studies is the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart. The Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart (MISTRA) is a landmark research project in behavioral genetics, led by Thomas J. Bouchard Jr. at the University of Minnesota. The study, conducted from 1979 to 1999, focused on identical and fraternal twins who were separated at birth and raised in different environments. Purpose: The study aimed to understand the relative influence of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) on human traits, behaviors, and intelligence by comparing the similarities and differences between twins raised apart. Participants: The study involved more than 100 pairs of twins, including both identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins, who were separated shortly after birth and reared in different families. Methodology: Researchers used a wide range of psychological, medical, and physiological tests to assess various aspects of the twins' lives, including personality traits, intelligence (IQ), interests, mental and physical health, and social attitudes. Findings: Identical twins reared apart showed remarkable similarities in personality, intelligence, and other traits, often more so than fraternal twins reared together. The study estimated that about 70% of the variance in IQ could be attributed to genetic factors, with the remaining 30% influenced by the environment. Impact: The study significantly contributed to the nature vs. nurture debate, providing strong evidence for the influence of genetic factors on human development while recognizing the importance of environmental influences. CASE STUDY ANALYSIS: THE JIM TWINS Background: The "Jim Twins" case is one of the most famous examples of a twin study. James "Jim" Springer and James "Jim" Lewis were identical twins separated at birth and adopted by different families. They grew up without knowing each other, living apart for nearly 40 years. Remarkably, when they were reunited, researchers found striking similarities in their personalities, habits, and life choices. Reference: Segal, N. L. (2012). Born Together—Reared Apart: The Landmark Minnesota Twin Study. Harvard University Press. GUIDE QUESTIONS 1.What does this case suggest about the relative contributions of genetics and environment to personality and behavior? 2.To what extent do you think their similarities could be explained by coincidence rather than genetics? 3.What are the potential ethical concerns in conducting and reporting such research? 4.How might this case inform future research or practical applications in fields like psychology, education, or public health? FORMAT 1. On the upper left hand corner, write full name [Surname, First Name MI] 2. Below full name, write your section. 3. On the right hand corner, write the course title [BIOPSY] 4. Below the course title, write the date of submission. 5. Title of the case analysis is centered [Case Analysis: The Jim Twins in Behavioral Genetics] 6. Use the text format: Arial, size 12, 1.5 spacing, justified. 7. Include a reference section for all sources used in APA format. RUBRICS Analysis and Interpretation – 20% Critical Thinking and Evaluation – 20% Ethical Considerations – 20% Application and Reflection – 20% Writing Quality – 15% APA References – 5% -END OF PRESENTATION-