Biological Psychology
Biological Psychology
Biological Psychology The brain is a complex organ that is composed of many even more complex systems. Several theorists and psychologists focus on these systems and the functions of the brain. Scientists are also among those who take an interest in the functions of the brain. Each group digs deeper into researching biological psychology because they are learning more about the history of the field, the theorists that have contributed to the understanding, and relationships to other areas of psychology. This paper will discuss biological psychology and its history along with the theorists that have helped uncover many mysteries of the brain. It will also discuss the relationship of biological psychology and other fields of psychology and the underlying assumptions of biological psychology. What is it that controls the mind? What makes people do certain things? Why do different people react to things differently? Is there a link between the body and the mind? These questions were just some of the reasons that psychologists and scientists began to develop what is now known as biological psychology. This is where science and psychology come together to understand and explain the brain, its complexities and how behavior is linked to the mind. Biological psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes (New World Encyclopedia). Biological psychology explained by the Encyclopedia Britannica is focused on “the function of the brain and the rest of the nervous system in activities (e.g., thinking, learning, feeling, sensing, and perceiving) recognized as characteristic of humans and other animals.” Many of the earlier theorists had much to explore when trying to determine how the mind and behavior are related. Biological psychology dates back as far as 980 C.E. with the book The Canon of Medicine by Avicenna. In this book, he discussed the relationship between physical and psychological illnesses. He believed that
Biological Psychology The brain is a complex organ that is composed of many even more complex systems. Several theorists and psychologists focus on these systems and the functions of the brain. Scientists are also among those who take an interest in the functions of the brain. Each group digs deeper into researching biological psychology because they are learning more about the history of the field, the theorists that have contributed to the understanding, and relationships to other areas of psychology. This paper will discuss biological psychology and its history along with the theorists that have helped uncover many mysteries of the brain. It will also discuss the relationship of biological psychology and other fields of psychology and the underlying assumptions of biological psychology. What is it that controls the mind? What makes people do certain things? Why do different people react to things differently? Is there a link between the body and the mind? These questions were just some of the reasons that psychologists and scientists began to develop what is now known as biological psychology. This is where science and psychology come together to understand and explain the brain, its complexities and how behavior is linked to the mind. Biological psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes (New World Encyclopedia). Biological psychology explained by the Encyclopedia Britannica is focused on “the function of the brain and the rest of the nervous system in activities (e.g., thinking, learning, feeling, sensing, and perceiving) recognized as characteristic of humans and other animals.” Many of the earlier theorists had much to explore when trying to determine how the mind and behavior are related. Biological psychology dates back as far as 980 C.E. with the book The Canon of Medicine by Avicenna. In this book, he discussed the relationship between physical and psychological illnesses. He believed that
References: Biological Psychology. (2008). In New World Encyclopedia,Retrieved may 15, 2010 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Biological_psychology Biological psychology. (2010). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved May 13, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/458833/biological-psychology Wickens, A. P. (2005). Foundations of Biopsychology (2nd ed.). New York: Pearson/Prentice Hall.