Introduction to Biological Psychology

Following a comprehensive introduction to the brain, neural structures and neurons, we will investigate how our understanding of brain function informs our understanding of cognition and behaviour. We will consider if parts of our brains sub-serve specialised abilities (e.g. emotion processing, language, memory) or can even be affected by individual differences (e.g. handedness). We will also consider what happens in our brains when we are asleep and we will contemplate whether an explanation for states such as anxiety, schizophrenia and depression can be found in “in our heads”. Finally, we will investigate the effects of genetics, hormones and drugs on behaviour.\ud The module therefore addresses the strengths and weaknesses of the reductionist approach as a way of linking physiology, neuroscience, genetics and psychology