This field of psychology is also sometimes known as physiological psychology, behavioral neuroscience, or psychobiology.
Biopsychologists often examine how biological processes interact with emotions, cognitions, and other mental functions.
The field of biopsychology is related to several other areas, includingcomparative psychologyandevolutionary psychology.
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Philosophers and other thinkers wondered what the relationship was between the mental world and the physical world.
This is not just a historical debate, however.
The question remains an important topic in psychology and neuroscience today.
Aristotle, for example, taught that our thoughts and feelings arose from the heart.
Later thinkers such as Rene Descartes and Leonardo da Vinci introduced theories about how the nervous system operated.
One early attempt at understanding this led to the development of a pseudoscience known asphrenology.
What Was Phrenology?
While phrenology became quite popular, other scientists soon dismissed it as a pseudoscience.
Three of the most important components to understand are the brain, the nervous system, and neurotransmitters.
The outermost part of the brain is known as the cerebral cortex.
This portion of the brain is responsible for functioning in cognition, sensation, motor skills, andemotions.
There are a variety of neurotransmitters that affect the body in different ways.
For example, the neurotransmitterdopamineis involved in movement and learning.
A biopsychologist might study the various neurotransmitters to determine their effects on human behavior.
Tests Used in Biopsychology
Researchers utilize several different tests to study the human brain and nervous system.
Higher blood flow and oxygenation in an area of the brain indicate higher activity levels.
It can be used to monitor activity levels and detect changes in consciousness.
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