Biopsychology I BPS108

Understand the relationship between our physical and mental processes. Our behaviour is influenced by both our psychological and our physical conditions. Moreover, our state of mind and our physical conditions affect each other. This course will further your understanding of human psychology and health with scientific insights into the body-mind relationship. Therefore, it is of particular interest to those who have studied or want to study psychology, as well as to health practitioners.

What is Biopsychology?

Biopsychology is also known as “Physiological Psychology”, “Psychobiology” or “Biological Psychology”.

Physiology is the study of the way living organisms function. It can encompass the way things move, chemical and bodily processes, growth, atrophy, and anything else that supports or causes physical or chemical changes to occur within the body. Therefore, it differs from anatomy, which is the study of the physical structure of the body.

Course Structure
There are 7 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction

• Types of external and internal stimuli, mind-body debate, introduction to the nervous system.

2. The senses

• Sensory input, sensory perception, description of the major senses.

3. The Nervous System

• Description of the neurons, the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, including the autonomic nervous system.

4. The Endocrine System

• Effect of hormones on behaviour and physiology, association of endocrine system and nervous system, connection between external and internal stimuli.

5. Stress

• Types of stressors, physical affects of stress, personality & stress.

6. Emotions

• Homeostasis, eating disorders, physiological responses to emotions, theories of emotion.

7. Consciousness

• Degrees of consciousness, awareness & attention, altered states of consciousness.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school\'s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims

• Explain what is meant by the mind-body debate and consider various theories.
• Explain how different people can perceive the same stimulus in different ways, due to biological differences between them.
• Explain how the condition and functioning of the nervous system can affect the psychology of an individual.
• Explain the function of sensory and motor neurons.
• Explain the functioning of the cerebellum, the hypothalamus and the thalamus.
• Identify which brain structures are present in the limbic system, and their main functions.
• Explain how dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine act as neurotransmitters.
• Explain how the condition and functioning of the endocrine system can affect the psychology of an individual.
• Describe the relationship between psychological stress and the physical response of the body.
• Discuss the relationship between emotions and the physical nature of the body.
• Discuss the relationship between consciousness and the physical nature of the body.
• Describe the effect of three psychoactive drugs on the Central Nervous System.
• Explain how the autonomic nervous system works in terms of its sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

Mind and Body ARE Linked!

There are obvious, observable or measurable associations between the physiology and the psychology of a person. For example, the mind and emotions can be affected by chemical processes caused by different foods, such as the soothing effects of bananas and carbohydrates. Intake of other substances, such as alcohol or other drugs, can affect the psychological state of a person. On the other hand, emotions can cause physiological responses. For instance, when people become stressed, their blood vessels may contract and the heart rate may increase. It has also been shown that focusing on positive thoughts such as love, appreciation or gratitude can cause immediate improvement in immune system function and regulate heart rhythm.

Mind over body is not always possible. The body also influences the mind and much of what we consider basic human behaviour. Learn to describe ways in which human pscyhology and human physiology influence each other and our behaviour.