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What is Biopsychology?What is Biopsychology?(aka psychobiology, behavioral(aka psychobiology, behavioral

neuroscience, etc)neuroscience, etc)

• The scientific study of the

biology of behavior

– How can complex psychological

processes, such as perception,emotion, thought and memory beproduced by brain activity?

Why is it Interesting?Why is it Interesting?

“From nothing else but the brain comejoy, delights, laughter and sports, andsorrows, griefs, despondency, andlamentations…madness anddelirium… the fears and frights whichassail us... thoughts that will not come,forgotten duties, and eccentricities...All these things we endure from thebrain…”

- Hippocrates, On the Sacred Disease, 4thCentury B.C.

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Can the study of brain activityCan the study of brain activityreally tell us about complexreally tell us about complexmental processes?mental processes?

• Some skepticism is understandable

• Some complex mental processes arenot particularly amenable tobiological investigation - but this

may be changing

Can the study of brain activityCan the study of brain activityreally tell us about complexreally tell us about complexmental processes?mental processes?

• Takes advantage of body’s naturalmagnetic field, measuring changesin field’s energy as patientsexposed to various radiofrequencies.

• Images can be rendered in 3-D byusing a computer to compile imagestaken in three or more planes

•MRIs have shown that the brains ofschizophrenics often have adifferent appearance – particularlythe frontal lobes (responsible forplanning, decision making, higherlearning, and emotions)

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Are there changes in brain structureassociated with mental activity?

from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2000 Hypothesis: relatively normal mental

activity can change volume of the brain Subjects: 16 male, right-handed London taxi

drivers50 matched controls (matched for??)

Method: Used MRI to measurehippocampus size

Why hippocampus? Constructs and stores maps ofthe external world from the sensory input that itreceives

Adapted from T. Hernandez

Back to theTaxi Drivers….

Results:

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

TAXIDrivers

Right PosteriorHippocampus

Left PosteriorHippocampus

Controls

…..…

Vol

ume.

……

.

Posterior Hippocampusinvolved in retrieval ofpreviously learnednavigational material

Adapted from T. Hernandez

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Can the study of brainCan the study of brainactivity really tell us aboutactivity really tell us aboutcomplex mental processes?complex mental processes?

fMRI: functional magneticresonance imaging detects the regional changes in blood oxygenation

due to activity-related changes in blood flow:

More active neurons (shown in hot colors) --> more blood flow --> more O2

fMRI Taken During PicturefMRI Taken During PictureNaming TaskNaming Task

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fMRI Taken DuringfMRI Taken DuringPicture Naming TaskPicture Naming Task

Why Else is BiopsychologyWhy Else is Biopsychology

Interesting?Interesting?

• Disorders of the brain and nervous systemresult in more hospitalizations than anyother disease group, including heartdisease and cancer.

• Neurological illnesses affect more than 50million Americans annually (total USpopulation is about 300 million) at costsexceeding $400 billion.

• In addition, mental disorders, excludingdrug and alcohol problems, strike 44million adults a year at a cost of some$148 billion.

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Why Else is BiopsychologyWhy Else is Biopsychology

Important?Important?

Total outlay for military operations in Iraq through December - $251 billionHurricane Katrina? Congress has appropriated about $85 billion to date.

Source – The New York Times

We are bombarded byWe are bombarded bybiopsychological information.biopsychological information.

How can we evaluate it?How can we evaluate it?

“Paris Hilton in WeirdCult -- BrainwashedMembers Even 'Baa'Like Sheep"

Ex.Ex. National Enquirer National Enquirer Type Headlines:Type Headlines:

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Course Goals:Course Goals:

• Introduce the principles ofexperimental biopsychology

• Survey the structure and function ofthe nervous system

• Examine the relationships betweenbrain function and behavior

• Educate consumers ofbiopsychological information(encourage critical thinking)

Biopsychology applies informationBiopsychology applies informationfrom several branches of neurosciencefrom several branches of neuroscienceto the study of behaviorto the study of behavior

• Neuroananatomy - structure of the nervoussystem

• Neurochemistry - chemical basis of neuralactivity

• Neuroendocrinology - interactions betweennervous system and endocrine system

• Neuropathology - nervous system disorders

• Neuropharmacology - effects of drugs on neural activity

• Neurophysiology - functions and activity ofthe nervous system

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The Traditional DivisionsThe Traditional Divisions

of Biopsychologyof Biopsychology

•• Physiological PsychologyPhysiological Psychology–– Studies neural mechanism ofStudies neural mechanism of

behavior through directbehavior through directmanipulation of the brain inmanipulation of the brain incontrolled experimentscontrolled experiments

The Traditional DivisionsThe Traditional Divisions

of Biopsychologyof Biopsychology

•• Physiological PsychologyPhysiological Psychology

•• PsychopharmacologyPsychopharmacology–– Focuses on manipulation of neuralFocuses on manipulation of neural

activity and behavior with drugsactivity and behavior with drugs

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The Traditional DivisionsThe Traditional Divisions

of Biopsychologyof Biopsychology

•• Physiological PsychologyPhysiological Psychology

•• PsychopharmacologyPsychopharmacology

•• NeuropsychologyNeuropsychology–– Study of psychological effects ofStudy of psychological effects of

brain damage in human patientsbrain damage in human patients

The Traditional DivisionsThe Traditional Divisions

of Biopsychologyof Biopsychology

•• Physiological PsychologyPhysiological Psychology

•• PsychopharmacologyPsychopharmacology

•• NeuropsychologyNeuropsychology

•• PsychophysiologyPsychophysiology–– Studies the relationship betweenStudies the relationship between

physiological activity and psychologicalphysiological activity and psychologicalprocesses in human subjectsprocesses in human subjects

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The Traditional DivisionsThe Traditional Divisions

of Biopsychologyof Biopsychology

•• Physiological PsychologyPhysiological Psychology

•• PsychopharmacologyPsychopharmacology

•• NeuropsychologyNeuropsychology

•• PsychophysiologyPsychophysiology

•• Cognitive NeuroscienceCognitive Neuroscience–– Studies the neural bases ofStudies the neural bases of

cognitioncognition

The Traditional DivisionsThe Traditional Divisionsof Biopsychologyof Biopsychology

•• Physiological PsychologyPhysiological Psychology

•• PsychopharmacologyPsychopharmacology

•• NeuropsychologyNeuropsychology

•• PsychophysiologyPsychophysiology

•• Cognitive NeuroscienceCognitive Neuroscience

•• Comparative PsychologyComparative Psychology–– Compares the behavior of differentCompares the behavior of different

species to understand the evolution andspecies to understand the evolution andadaptiveness of behavioradaptiveness of behavior

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Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental

–– Subjects tested under two or moreSubjects tested under two or more

conditionsconditions

Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental

–– Subjects tested under two or moreSubjects tested under two or more

conditionsconditions

•• Between - Subjects DesignBetween - Subjects Design

–– A different group of subjects is testedA different group of subjects is tested

under each conditionunder each condition

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Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental

–– Subjects tested under two or moreSubjects tested under two or more

conditionsconditions

•• Between - Subjects DesignBetween - Subjects Design

–– A different group of subjects is testedA different group of subjects is tested

under each conditionunder each condition

•• Within - Subjects DesignWithin - Subjects Design

–– The same group of subjects is testedThe same group of subjects is tested

under each conditionunder each condition

Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental–– Independent Variable(s) - Independent Variable(s) - these are set orthese are set or

manipulated by the experimenter to produce themanipulated by the experimenter to produce thedifferent treatment conditionsdifferent treatment conditions

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Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental–– Independent Variable(s) - Independent Variable(s) - set or manipulatedset or manipulated

by the experimenter to produce the differentby the experimenter to produce the different

treatment conditionstreatment conditions

–– Dependent Variable - Dependent Variable - the variable that isthe variable that is

measured by the experimenter to assess themeasured by the experimenter to assess the

effect of the independent variable(s)effect of the independent variable(s)

Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental–– Independent Variable(s) - Independent Variable(s) - set or manipulatedset or manipulated

by the experimenter to produce the differentby the experimenter to produce the different

treatment conditionstreatment conditions

–– Dependent Variable - Dependent Variable - the variable that isthe variable that is

measured by the experimenter to assess themeasured by the experimenter to assess the

effect of the independent variable(s)effect of the independent variable(s)

–– Confounding Variable(s) - Confounding Variable(s) - other unintendedother unintended

differences among conditions that can influencedifferences among conditions that can influence

the dependent variablethe dependent variable

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Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental

•• QuasiexperimentalQuasiexperimental

–– Studies of groups of subjects who haveStudies of groups of subjects who have

be exposed to the condition of interestbe exposed to the condition of interest

in the real world (e.g. smoking)in the real world (e.g. smoking)

Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental

•• QuasiexperimentalQuasiexperimental

–– Studies of groups of subjects who haveStudies of groups of subjects who have

be exposed to the condition of interestbe exposed to the condition of interest

in the real world (e.g. smoking)in the real world (e.g. smoking)

•• Can not control for confounding variablesCan not control for confounding variables

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Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental

•• QuasiexperimentalQuasiexperimental

•• Case StudiesCase Studies–– Studies that focus on a single case orStudies that focus on a single case or

subjectsubject

Biopsychology UsesBiopsychology Uses

Several Types of ResearchSeveral Types of Research

•• ExperimentalExperimental

•• QuasiexperimentalQuasiexperimental

•• Case StudiesCase Studies–– Studies that focus on a single case orStudies that focus on a single case or

subjectsubject

•• Generalizability? Generalizability? (The extent to which the(The extent to which theresult tells us something about the generalresult tells us something about the generalpopulation)population)

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Theory and Uncertainty in Science:Theory and Uncertainty in Science:

Why is so much scientific informationWhy is so much scientific informationpresented as theory instead of fact?presented as theory instead of fact?

•• Complexity of research and resultsComplexity of research and results

•• Terms like Terms like ““factfact”” and and ““proofproof”” suggest suggestfinal answers final answers –– which are rare in which are rare inresearchresearch–– As knowledge bases expand, ideas noAs knowledge bases expand, ideas no

longer supported by the availablelonger supported by the availableevidence may need to be discarded orevidence may need to be discarded ormodifiedmodified

Theory and Uncertainty in Science:Theory and Uncertainty in Science:

Why is so much scientific informationWhy is so much scientific informationpresented as theory instead of fact?presented as theory instead of fact?

•• A A theorytheory integrates and interprets integrates and interpretsdiverse observations in an attempt todiverse observations in an attempt toexplain some phenomenonexplain some phenomenon–– Good scientific theories generate newGood scientific theories generate new

(and testable) (and testable) hypotheseshypotheses

•• A A hypothesishypothesis is a statement about the is a statement about theexpected relationship between two orexpected relationship between two ormore variablesmore variables

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An Example: The DopamineAn Example: The Dopamine

Theory of SchizophreniaTheory of Schizophrenia

•• Observations:Observations:

–– Amphetamines can produce schizophrenia-likeAmphetamines can produce schizophrenia-likebehaviorsbehaviors

–– Amphetamines increase activity in brain cells thatAmphetamines increase activity in brain cells thatuse dopamine for transmitting messages.use dopamine for transmitting messages.

•• Theory:Theory: Schizophrenia is produced by excessive Schizophrenia is produced by excessiveactivity of the brain chemical dopamineactivity of the brain chemical dopamine

•• A Testable Hypothesis A Testable Hypothesis based on thebased on the theory: theory: DrugsDrugsthat decrease dopamine activity should improvethat decrease dopamine activity should improvefunctioning in schizophrenicsfunctioning in schizophrenics

–– Confirmed in some, but not all casesConfirmed in some, but not all cases

–– Dopamine Theory is incompleteDopamine Theory is incomplete

Critical thinking aboutCritical thinking about

biophysiological claims?biophysiological claims?

•• The 1949 Nobel Prize inThe 1949 Nobel Prize in

Medicine went to Egas MonizMedicine went to Egas Moniz

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Critical thinking aboutCritical thinking about

biophysiological claims?biophysiological claims?

•• The 1949 Nobel Prize inThe 1949 Nobel Prize in

Medicine went to Egas MonizMedicine went to Egas Moniz

–– For the development of theFor the development of the

prefrontal lobotomyprefrontal lobotomy

The Prefrontal LobotomyThe Prefrontal Lobotomy

•• A procedure in whichA procedure in which

the connectionsthe connections

between thebetween the

prefrontal lobes andprefrontal lobes and

the rest of the brainthe rest of the brain

were cut as awere cut as a

treatment for mentaltreatment for mental

illnessillness

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The Prefrontal LobotomyThe Prefrontal Lobotomy

•• Little therapeuticLittle therapeuticbenefitbenefit

•• Many undesirableMany undesirableside effectsside effects

•• Over 40,000 patientsOver 40,000 patientswere lobotomized inwere lobotomized inthe US alonethe US alone–– Rosemary Kennedy wasRosemary Kennedy was

one of themone of them

Lobotomies: What went wrong?Lobotomies: What went wrong?

A failure of critical thinkingA failure of critical thinking

•• Program was largely based onProgram was largely based on

observation of a single chimpanzeeobservation of a single chimpanzee

in a single situationin a single situation

•• Failure to carefully evaluate theFailure to carefully evaluate the

consequences of lobotomy in earlyconsequences of lobotomy in early

patientspatients

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Lobotomies: What went wrong?Lobotomies: What went wrong?A Drive for A Drive for ““Great and DesperateGreat and DesperateCures?Cures?””

•• The firstThe firsteffectiveeffectivepsycho-psycho-therapeutictherapeuticdrugs were notdrugs were notintroducedintroduceduntil 1954until 1954

William Hogarth’s 1735 Image of BedlamMental Hospital

Thinking About theThinking About the

Biology of BehaviorBiology of Behavior

•• Is behavior physiological orIs behavior physiological orpsychological (nature vs. nurture)?psychological (nature vs. nurture)?

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Thinking About theThinking About the

Biology of BehaviorBiology of Behavior

•• Is behavior physiological orIs behavior physiological orpsychological (nature vs. nurture)?psychological (nature vs. nurture)?

–– In the 16th century Descartes proposedIn the 16th century Descartes proposedthat humans have two aspects:that humans have two aspects:

Thinking About theThinking About the

Biology of BehaviorBiology of Behavior

•• Is behavior physiological orIs behavior physiological orpsychological (nature vs. nurture)?psychological (nature vs. nurture)?

–– In the 16th century Descartes proposedIn the 16th century Descartes proposedthat humans have two aspects:that humans have two aspects:

•• Physical - can be studied scientificallyPhysical - can be studied scientifically

•• Mental - lacks physical substance, obeys noMental - lacks physical substance, obeys nonatural laws, controls human behavior, and isnatural laws, controls human behavior, and isthus the concern of the Churchthus the concern of the Church

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Thinking About theThinking About the

Biology of BehaviorBiology of Behavior

•• Is behavior physiological orIs behavior physiological orpsychological (nature vs. nurture)?psychological (nature vs. nurture)?

–– In the 16th century Descartes proposedIn the 16th century Descartes proposedthat humans have two aspects:that humans have two aspects:

•• Physical - can be studied scientificallyPhysical - can be studied scientifically

•• Mental - lacks physical substance, obeys noMental - lacks physical substance, obeys nonatural laws, controls human behavior, and isnatural laws, controls human behavior, and isthus the concern of the Churchthus the concern of the Church

–– This view is known as Cartesian dualismThis view is known as Cartesian dualism

Is There a Purely PsychologicalIs There a Purely Psychological

Category of Human Existence?Category of Human Existence?

•• Even the most complex psychologicalEven the most complex psychologicalprocesses (e.g. self-awareness,processes (e.g. self-awareness,memory, or emotion) can be affectedmemory, or emotion) can be affectedby damage to / stimulation of the brainby damage to / stimulation of the brain

•• Some non-human species possessSome non-human species possess

abilities once assumed toabilities once assumed to be purelybe purelypsychological, and thus purely humanpsychological, and thus purely human–– (e.g. Gallups(e.g. Gallups’’s studies in chimpanzees)s studies in chimpanzees)

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Chimpanzees Show Self-Chimpanzees Show Self-

awarenessawareness

•• An organism isAn organism is

to some degreeto some degree

self-aware if itself-aware if it

is capable ofis capable of

becoming thebecoming the

object of itobject of it’’ss

own attentionown attention

Evolving Ideas About theEvolving Ideas About the

Development of BehaviorDevelopment of Behavior

•• nature vs. nurturenature vs. nurture

•• genes or learninggenes or learning•• (but factors other than genes and learning(but factors other than genes and learning

influence development -e.g. diet, stress)influence development -e.g. diet, stress)

•• genes or experiencegenes or experience

•• interaction of genetic factorsinteraction of genetic factors

and experienceand experience

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The Interaction of GeneticThe Interaction of Genetic

Factors and ExperienceFactors and Experience

•• Tryon selectively breed Tryon selectively breed ““maze-maze-

bright and maze-dull ratsbright and maze-dull rats

–– However, maze-bright did better thanHowever, maze-bright did better than

maze-dull only if they were both raisedmaze-dull only if they were both raised

in impoverished environmentsin impoverished environments

–– Maze-bright not generally moreMaze-bright not generally more

intelligent - apparently do betterintelligent - apparently do better

because they are less because they are less ““emotionalemotional””