PSYC 304 Chapter 1-8: PSYC 304 READINGS
Document Summary
Philosophers: first people to study brain and behaviour, findings contributed to birth of psychology and biology. Biological psychology: field that relates behaviour to bodily processes, especially the workings of the brain, also known as behavioural neuroscience main goal is to understand the biology underlying behaviour and experience. Combo of viewpoints is most powerful: describing behaviour. Can be described according to different criteria, structural (analytical description) and functional. Must use accurately defined terms and units: studying evolution of behaviour. We compare species to learn how the brain and behaviour have evolved. Darwin"s theory of evolution gave way to 2 different emphasis. 1) the continuity of behaviour and biological processes among species b/c of common ancestry (continuity: features of behaviour and its biological mechanisms that are common to many species. 2) species specific differences in behaviour and biology that have evolved as adaptations to different environments.
