Biological Psychology
Biological Level of Analysis
Learning Outcomes
1. Outline the principles that define the biological level of analysis. a. Patterns of behavior can be inherited: There is innate behavior “hard-wired” in organisms that is carried on through genetics. It makes certain stimuli generate certain response and is usually evolutionary. b. Animal research may inform our understanding of human behavior: Biological analysis of animal behavior can be used to predict similar results in humans. Ie Pavlov’s dog was conditioned then studies were done on conditioning people. c. Cognitions, emotions, and behaviors are products of anatomy and physiology of nervous and endocrine systems: Emotion/behavior come from endocrine system and nervous system. All behaviors, cognitions etc have a physiological basis. d. Case Studies: i. Phineas Gage: Gage has large pole go through his frontal lobe, survived. Experienced personality changes showing connectivity of emotion processes’ location in the brain. ii. Minnesota Twin Study: Studies identical/fraternal twins raised apart and together. Has found that genetic factors influence behavior, and the effect of being raised in the same home is negligible for many psychological traits.
2. Explain, in outline form, how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be demonstrated in research (theories and or studies). a. Gottesman & Shields: Tested the biological root of schizophrenia using twins. Argues for patterns of behavior being inherited. b. Bales: shows how changes in chemicals in animals (increase in oxytocin) can cause changes in behavior, proving the link from behavior to physiology. c. Minnesota Twins Study: shows how patterns of behavior can be inherited by showing correlations with many traits.
3. Discuss, in outline form, how and why particular research methods are used in the biological levels of analysis. a. Lab Experiments: used
Learning Outcomes
1. Outline the principles that define the biological level of analysis. a. Patterns of behavior can be inherited: There is innate behavior “hard-wired” in organisms that is carried on through genetics. It makes certain stimuli generate certain response and is usually evolutionary. b. Animal research may inform our understanding of human behavior: Biological analysis of animal behavior can be used to predict similar results in humans. Ie Pavlov’s dog was conditioned then studies were done on conditioning people. c. Cognitions, emotions, and behaviors are products of anatomy and physiology of nervous and endocrine systems: Emotion/behavior come from endocrine system and nervous system. All behaviors, cognitions etc have a physiological basis. d. Case Studies: i. Phineas Gage: Gage has large pole go through his frontal lobe, survived. Experienced personality changes showing connectivity of emotion processes’ location in the brain. ii. Minnesota Twin Study: Studies identical/fraternal twins raised apart and together. Has found that genetic factors influence behavior, and the effect of being raised in the same home is negligible for many psychological traits.
2. Explain, in outline form, how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be demonstrated in research (theories and or studies). a. Gottesman & Shields: Tested the biological root of schizophrenia using twins. Argues for patterns of behavior being inherited. b. Bales: shows how changes in chemicals in animals (increase in oxytocin) can cause changes in behavior, proving the link from behavior to physiology. c. Minnesota Twins Study: shows how patterns of behavior can be inherited by showing correlations with many traits.
3. Discuss, in outline form, how and why particular research methods are used in the biological levels of analysis. a. Lab Experiments: used