The Brain and Behavior in Psychology

The brain and behavior are core topics in the study of psychology. After all, it is the brain and behavior that influence how we think, feel, and respond in every aspect of our lives. They are also central to our mental health, well-being, and functioning.

Every year, millions of people are affected by disorders of the brain and nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries. These illnesses and injuries highlight the importance of the biological basis for our behavior.

Exploring some of the basics of biological psychology means looking into the biological processes that play a role in how we think, feel, react, and behave.

The Brain

The area of psychology that seeks to understand how the brain affects behavior is known as biopsychology, although you may also hear this subject referred to as psychobiology or behavioral neuroscience. 

Technological advances in recent years have allowed scientists to study the human brain in ways that were not possible in the past. The human brain is made up of four lobes that are associated with different functions.

• The frontal lobe is found at the front of the brain and is associated with higher-order thinking skills, expressive language, and motor abilities.
• The occipital lobe is found at the back of the brain and is associated with interpreting visual information.
• The parietal lobe is found at the top of the brain and is connected to the processing of information related to touch.
• The temporal lobe is found at the sides of the brain and is associated with processing auditory information.

The Neuron

Neurons are the basic building blocks of life. These highly specialized cells are responsible for receiving and transmitting information from one part of the body to another.

Neuron Functions

Neurons can also serve different functions. Some are sensory neurons that carry information we sense through touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing to the brain.

Other neurons are motor neurons, which transmit information from the brain to the muscles and glands of the body. These neurons allow us to move and respond to the world around us.

Interneurons are a special type of neuron that communicates between the sensory and motor neurons. 

Neurotransmitters

You've seen how a cell is structured and how nerve impulses are propagated down the cell, but how does this information travel from one cell to the next?

Some neurotransmitters are excitatory and increase activity in the nervous system (CNS). Other are inhibitory and decrease CNS activity. 

Types of Neurotransmitters

Some specific types of neurotransmitters that affect the brain and behavior include:

• Acetylcholine: This neurotransmitter affects motor neurons and is essential in movement, memory, and learning.
• Dopamine: This neurotransmitter is integral to the body's reward system and is associated with pleasurable feelings.
• Epinephrine: This stress hormone also functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain.
• Endorphins: These chemical messengers play a role in managing pain and improving mood.
• GABA: This inhibitory neurotransmitter helps control anxiety and plays a role in vision and motor control.
• Norepinephrine: This chemical is involved in the body's fight-or-flight response.
• Serotonin: This neurotransmitter helps regulate mood, anxiety, appetite, sleep, and sexuality.

Communication Systems

Neurons make up only a small part of the human body's complex communication system. The nervous system comprises two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The body's endocrine system also plays an important role in communication.

Central Nervous System

The central nervous system: The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cords. It's functions are to take in sensory information, process this information, and send out motor signals to the rest of the body. Disease and damage, including infections, degenerative diseases, stroke, tumors, and trauma, can affect how the CNS functions.

Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system is made up of all of the nerves and ganglia that lie outside of the CNS. It is further divided into two systems: the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.

The autonomic system manages involuntary body functions like heartbeat and blood flow, while the somatic system transmits sensory signals and controls voluntary movement.

The Endocrine System

Additionally, the endocrine system plays a vital role in communication. The endocrine system works with the CNS to relay information and manage body functions, including metabolism, reproduction, homeostasis, and emotion.