Transcript 0.-intro-to-biopsych..

Biopsychology: a field of psychology
looking at biology, behaviors, and
mental processes
◦ EX: how might a brain tumor on the
left temporal lobe impact behavior
and/or cognitive functioning
 Neuroscience: interdisciplinary study
brain relationship to psychological
processes
◦ Key difference: interdisciplinary (may
involve computer science, chemists,
linguists, anthropologists, etc
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Pro’s and Con’s of this field of study based on
the Violence Gene article
 Genotype:
the genetic blueprint of
you; includes expressed and
unexpressed genes
 Phenotype: only expressed genes
◦ EX: the violent gene may never
evolve into a phenotype
◦ EX: you may be coded for
freckles, but if you don’t go into
the sun, you won’t develop them
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DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid- molecules with all of
your genetic markers
Chromosomes: humans have 23 pairs. These
contain your DNA and instructions (the when and
how) for how genes should appear.
Genes: parts of the chromosome that tell us our
traits
Our genes tell us the results of puberty (height,
muscle development, deepening voices, etc) BUT
our chromosomes tell our body when to start these
changes- you don’t begin puberty at 4 unless you
have a severe chromosomal defect!