Biopsychology

THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF NEURONS

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Localisation of cortical function refers to specific areas of the brain being responsible for a particular behaviour or action
The human brain can be divided into 3 layers: the central core, the limbic system and the cerebrum
The brain is divided into 2 halves (hemispheres)
The 4 lobes of the brain are: frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital, each with particular functions
Split-brain research has shown how each half of the brain is able to function quite independently

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Invasive techniques such as neurosurgery allows for a great deal of precision and control
Post-mortem studies enable scientists to observe rare afflictions in individuals
EEGs have contributed a great deal to theories of sleep behaviour
CAT, PET and MRI scans allow for the study of the brain in action

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The autonomic nervous system operates involuntarily
The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for fight or flight
The parasympathetic nervous system acts to restore the body to its normal state
The endocrine system works in conjunction with the sympathetic nervous system by releasing hormones, e.g. adrenaline, into the bloodstream

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Monozygotic (MZ) twins are formed when a zygote divides to form 2 separate embryos
Dizygotic (DZ) twins are formed when 2 eggs are fertilised by 2 different sperm cells
Psychologists are interested in studying twins in order to investigate the genetic basis of behaviour

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There is evidence from FAT studies (Family, Adoption and Twin) to suggest that certain behaviours e.g. intelligence, are genetically determined
Research has shown that the enviroment can play more of a role in determining behaviour than genetics
Selective breeding studies have demonstrated how a number of behavioural characteristics e.g. agression, can have a genetic basis

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