The Psychology of the Brain and Behavior

The Psychology of the Brain and Behavior Theories Biological Psychology Print The Psychology of the Brain and Behavior By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Richard Fogoros, MD on August 13, 2014 Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. He is Verywells Senior Medical Advisor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Richard Fogoros, MD Updated on September 29, 2019 Hero Images / Getty Images More in Theories Biological Psychology Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Syllabus for This Week The Basics The Neuron Neuron Anatomy Neurotransmitters Communication Systems The Brain View All Back To Top You have explored the fundamentals of what psychology is and how psychologists research the human mind and behavior. This lesson focuses on the biological processes that play a role in how we think, feel, react and behave. Every year, millions of people are affected by disorders of the brain and nervous system including Alzheimers, Parkinsons disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries. These illnesses and injuries highlight the importance of the biological bases for our behavior. In this weeks lesson, well explore some of the basics of biological psychology. Syllabus for This Week What is biopsychology?What is a neuron?The structure of a neuronThe nervous and endocrine systemsThe brain Click the links below to read the articles and resources related to each topic in this lesson. Dont worry, there is no homework to complete! Each lesson in this course is entirely self-directed, which means that it is up to you to read and learn the materials. Good luck with todays lesson! The Basics The area of psychology that seeks to understand how the brain affects behavior is known as biopsychology, although you may also hear this subject referred to as psychobiology or behavioral neuroscience.   Understanding the Field of Biopsychology The Neuron Neurons are the basic building blocks of life. These highly specialized cells are responsible for receiving and transmitting information from one part of the body to another. In this article, youll learn more about how neurons function.   Understanding the Neurons Role in the Body Neuron Anatomy In order to better understand how a neuron works to transmit information throughout the body, it is essential to know the different parts of a neuron. Learn about the structure of a neuron and how neural signals are transmitted in this overview of neuron anatomy. Overview of the Structure of a Neuron Neurotransmitters Youve seen how a cell is structured and how nerve impulses are propagated down the cell, but how does this information travel from one cell to the next? Learn more these chemical messengers that transmit signals from one cell to the next in this overview of neurotransmitters. Understanding the Role of Neurotransmitters Communication Systems Neurons make up only a small part of the human bodys complex communication system. The nervous system is composed of two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Additionally, the endocrine system plays an important role in communication. Learn more about these two important systems and the impact they have on the brain, the body and behavior in this article on the nervous and endocrine systems. How Nervous and Endocrine Systems Work The Brain Technological advances in recent years have allowed scientists to study the human brain in ways that were not possible in the past. Learn more about the different parts of the brain and the functions that each area serves in this tour of the human brain. A Guide to the Anatomy of the Brain Final Thoughts Congratulations, youve reached the end of lesson three! This lesson covers just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the brain and behavior, but understanding this information establishes a solid foundation for future study. If you feel that you have fully studied the information in this lesson, then feel free to move on to lesson four. If you are still struggling to understand or remember the material in todays lesson, I recommend coming back to review the information in a few days before you continue on to the next lesson. Are you struggling with these lessons? Be sure to check out our great selection of psychology study tips, advice on how to take good psychology notes and some excellent strategies to help you study for psychology exams. What the Biological Perspective Means in Psychology