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Biological Psychology
To know the brain...is equivalent to ascertaining the material course of thought and will, to discovering the intimate history of life in its perpetual duel with external forces; a history summarized, and in a way engraved, in the defensive neuronal coordinations of the reflex, of instinct and of the association of ideas. Santiago Ramon y Cajal Recollections of My Life 1
Biological Psychology:
Introduction
Dr. Katherine Mickley Steinmetz Website: http://webs.wofford.edu/steinmetzkr/Teaching/Courses.html
Course Structure
Exam 1 – Anatomy , Structure , & Function
of the nervous system
Exam 2 – Interactions with the Environment:
Sensory Systems & Homeostatic Systems
Exam 3 – Cognitive Neuroscience:
Emotion, Learning & Memory, Language
Final Exam – Neuroscience Disorders:
Autism, ADD, Depression, OCD, Anxiety,
Schizophrenia, and Alzheimer ’ s Disease
3 Introduction to Biological Psychology Neuroscience Research Neuroscience History ◦ Monism vs. Dualism ◦ What can modern neuroscience tell us?
Neuroscience Research
Human & animal studies ◦ What are the benefits of each? 7 The nervous system is remarkably similar between humans and other animals.
Strict guidelines regulate the use of animals in research At WOFFORD: Animal Care and Use Committee: Veterinarian, Non-Scientist, Non-Affiliated with Wofford, Scientists both conducting and not conducting research Inspects all areas where animals are housed or tested Reviews and approves every research protocol using animals on campus 9 Introduction to Biological Psychology Neuroscience Research Neuroscience History ◦ Monism vs. Dualism ◦ What can modern neuroscience tell us?
Dualism
Rene Descartes’ experiences Dualism: ◦ Humans = physical bodies and non- physical minds, or souls ◦ Mind is not physical, so it can’t be studied
Dualism
Mind and brain are 2 distinct phenomena Mind can control physical objects (through pineal and brain)
Dualism
Free will: ◦ We can choose to do what we wish ◦ Mind is not constrained by body ◦ Mind tells brain what to do 15
Monism
Hippocrates: ◦ believed that mind was a function of the brain’s physiological processes Mind and body are both biological phenomena
Free Will Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI1624SwYnI&feature=related^19 Mind-Body Question Who’s right? Monists? Dualists? Data from this course can speak to this question Examples: ◦ Phineas Gage ◦ Split brain patients ◦ Prefrontal Lobotomy
Phineas Gage
Dynamite worker using a steel rod to ram a charge into a hole Charge exploded and sent rod through his cheek/ orbitofrontal cortex 21
Phineas Gage
What’s it like to have a 1.25-inch diameter tamping iron blasted through your head?
Phineas Gage Computer Reconstruction
Phineas Gage
Personality changes ◦ Before: serious, industrious, energetic ◦ After: Childish, irresponsible, thoughtless, unable to carry out plans, capricious
Generalizations from similar cases Damage to orbitofrontal cortex: ◦ Reduces inhibitions ◦ Persons become indifferent ◦ Pain no longer bothered them (indifference) 27
Split Brain Individuals
Corpus Callosum cut Right and left hemisphere not communicating Very different personalities in each hemisphere Where is the “person”?
Prefrontal Lobotomy Transorbital leucotome Patients could have lobotomy in Dr’s Office
Prefrontal Lobotomy
Tens of thousands done in 50s - 70s Trans-orbital leucotome Results: ◦ Reduced violent behaviors ◦ Irresponsible and childlike ◦ Unemployable ◦ Different personality
Question?
Is your person (personality) in your brain? Are you your brain? ◦ Mind - body issue. ◦ What can neuroscience tell us about this question? 33
Please share your thoughts …
- Name (Phonetic Spelling)
- What do you hope to get out of this class?
- Do you have any neuroscience experience (personal or academic)? If so, what?
- What do you think will be the most challenging about this class? What are you most excited about?
