StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Psychology as Biologys Branch - Term Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
The research essay “Psychology as Biology’s Branch” tries to explain how one’s body systems work. There are theories and laws that have been discovered by early scientists to achieve development in this area of scientific studies…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.9% of users find it useful

Extract of sample "Psychology as Biologys Branch"

 Psychology as Biology’s Branch Several studies have been made to explain how one’s body systems work. There are theories and laws that have been discovered by early scientists to achieve development in this area of scientific studies. Learning a man’s body is the study of biology. Quoting the word “body” includes different organs such as the brain, heart, digestive organs and so on. However, to organize science concepts, people behind these studies made subdivision of sciences to organize different concepts. Biology and Social Science are both considered as one of those subdivisions or branches of science. Evaluating these two could sometimes confuse people for both explain human body, biology for the body processes and social for cognitive and behavioral matters. Considering psychology as part of social science, is there really a difference between biology and psychology? Furthermore, is it better if psychology would be considered as branch of biology? Making psychology as one of biology’s branches would be better enough for both focus on the same matter – life. To understand why it is better to make psychology one of the branches of biology, it is good to define the terms first. It is a good foundation for a clear understanding of the concepts. Several people define the word “biology” as something that talks about physicality. It could be the body of the animals and plants. It can also be bacteria, a protist and so on. It also includes those processes that make a system work. To define it with credibility, Biology is: the science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena, especially with reference to origin, growth, reproduction, structure, and behavior. (“Biology”) To explain further the definition of biology based on the above mentioned, it is good to evaluate it words by words. Biology, as explained as “the science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena…” (“Biology”) talks only about what life is. Anything that has life and every term and concept on how life works can be studied through biology. However, there are several life structures that might somehow, confuse people. Plants do have life and also animals. Unfortunately, they have parts that are different from each other but distinguish them among others. Botany is the study of plants and zoology is for the animals. Both studies have their own “specialty” or “specification” of study but both talk about what is life and its attribution. Thus, botany and zoology are subdivisions of biology. Another part of its definition is “… especially with reference to origin, growth, reproduction, structure, and behavior” (“Biology”). These only support the first statement that it studies life, meaning, it includes the origin, growth, reproduction, structure and behavior of the matter. If the organism has its origin or beginning, then it can be studied in biology, the same with the other attributions mentioned. Behavior has issues when talking about biology. Some say that behavior should not be a part of biological studies because it is more of intellectual and cognitive matter. The question for this is, “what does work when someone behaves or simply, thinks?” – Brain. And the way someone thinks can be considered as part of those several processes that are happening inside the body and have “life”. This paper aims to reflect on the subject, “It is better if psychology is a branch of biology”. To achieve that goal, the definition of biology has been discussed above. It is good to understand the meaning of psychology now. Psychology is: The science of the mind or of mental states and processes; The science of human and animal behavior; and the sum or characteristics of the mental states and processes of a person or class of persons, or of the mental states and processes involved in a field of activity. (“Psychology”) It is obvious, based on its definition that psychology talks about more of mental matters. It deals with how individual thinks and behaves in a situation. It is another branch of science, social science. Psychology’s meaning is not so far with the one biology has. It talks about the processes that happen in one’s activity. Just like biology, it talks about life concepts and processes. It would be good enough if it is a part of biology studies rather than social studies for it is not just on behavioral aspects of life but also on its processes. Both terms are also being discussed in biology in a big matter of science concepts. Today, psychology is considered as another branch of science (just like biology). However, there are some debates that urge to make it a part of biology as well. It is for the reason that psychology deals with the study of the minds of the living ones or simply, those who have “life”. If it is not discussing life processes then, it is good to create another branch of science just like aerodynamics, astronomy, geology, climatology and so on. Psychology should be one of the branches of biology. This should be happened because psychology deals with the mind concepts. Some say it should not for it only states behavioral changes outside and processes in the mind, but the thing is what are those scientific processes inside the mind of a man? How do those processes happen? Social science somehow talks about the outside behaviors of the man. However, biology talks about the “behind the scenes” of those behavioral changes in the mind. Those processes that happen in the mind of a man, for example, are made through the nervous system. Nervous system is part of biological studies, thus, proving that psychology should be considered also as one of the branches of biology. Psychology may somehow focus on neurological causes of psychological phenomena like how neurons work and so on thus, under the concept of biological terms or studies. Another good term to explain how psychology deals with the nervous system that is part of the biology studies is the term “neurotransmitter”. Neurotransmitter is defined as: the chemicals which allow the transmission of signals from one neuron to the next across synapses. They are also found at the axon endings of motor neurons, where they stimulate the muscle fibers. And they and their close relatives are produced by some glands such as the pituitary and the adrenal glands. (“Neurotransmitters”) As how psychology defined itself as a study of behavioral changes and processes in minds, it is pretty obvious that the term coins with the biological concept, “neurotransmitter”. Whenever someone thinks, those chemicals react to pass every message that the mind wants the body to do. The action that is external is connected with the actions of the internal. If someone behaves differently or acts upon a given situation, these chemicals in the mind also work out. If psychology would remain as a part of social science, then it only focuses on how people would interact to others. His behavior and actions among others would only be the basis of the study. Social science, if not well stated or explained, is not strongly founded with proofs of how such term exists. For example, if a man loses his family and he is very sad because of that, social science (Psychology) would explain it as being “depressed” because of what was happened. However, biology would explain the sadness as existance of little amount of serotonin in his body thus, making him emotionally and mood affected. Serotonin, as one of those neurotransmitters, if found in low amount inside the body, would give a tendency of behavioral changes such as dealing with the man’s emotions and mood. (“Neurotransmitters”) If psychology would be considered as one of the branches of biology, concepts that are related with mind would be explained deeply. Through scientific concepts and terminology, people would understand how those “behavioral changes” happen. It would be explained not just with the shallow terms that are used in social science but with deeper “scientifically” terms. The main reason why such behaviors happen would be explained well through scientific reactions inside the body. It is not that social science (when dealing with psychology) is less credible when explaining such mind matters, it is just it still has deep scientific reasons behind it, that are strong enough to explain such concepts or behavior. Life is a wide topic to study. It needs deeper explanations and proof to satisfy the needs of those people who are curious of why he acts or behave like that. Biology studies life and it has more specific explanations of life and processes occurrence. It is stable and founded with scientific studies of the early scientists. It has models that prove why things occurring in every day life, act or behave in such manner. Biology deepens the explanations. It would be better if psychology was a branch of biology. It is for the reason that biology, the study of life and or living matter (“Biology”) explains deeper concepts of the behavior of organisms. Unlike social science, which psychology belongs to, it only explains external behaviors or reasoning. However, a good point of view on assigning one root of science is that it explains deeper concepts and could have branches. It looks like a tree where there is the root (biology) and its branches (botany, zoology, etc.) that still, under the same concept of “life”. Psychology talks about concepts of life. On the other hand, biology studies life. It is important to consider deeper explanations of why someone thinks or reacts such way. As what others say, psychology is very close to the border line of biology. If psychology isconsidered as one of the branches of biology, it would be easy enough to classify it among others for it may deal with the study of mind (nervous). Concepts and terms would be explained better and deeper. Psychology is connected to biology. However, they belong to different areas of science, one in social science (psychology) and the other in natural science (biology). Both are just being connected because of the word “science” that means knowledge. To conclude, the issue of having psychology and biology as separate branches of science has already captured several minds. Some say it should be separated and others say it should not. This paper stands on “it should be” side. It is much better if psychology is considered as one of the branches of biology. This for the reason that biology talks about what is life and on the other hand, psychology talks about life concepts and processes. They are both connected because of the term “life”. It would be easy enough to distinguish such study among others if it is a part of biology. Works Cited “Biology”. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged. 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 21 Nov. 2012. . Web. “Psychology”. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged. 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 21 Nov. 2012. . Web. “Neurotransmitters”. (2009). 22 Nov. 2012. . Web. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Psychology as Biologys Branch Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words”, n.d.)
Psychology as Biologys Branch Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/psychology/1609154-reflection-paper-on-a-topic-it-would-be-better-if-psychology-was-a-branch-of-biology
(Psychology As Biologys Branch Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words)
Psychology As Biologys Branch Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1609154-reflection-paper-on-a-topic-it-would-be-better-if-psychology-was-a-branch-of-biology.
“Psychology As Biologys Branch Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1609154-reflection-paper-on-a-topic-it-would-be-better-if-psychology-was-a-branch-of-biology.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Psychology as Biologys Branch

Aging Problem in Healthcare

The branch of nursing focuses on health screening, counseling, and crisis intervention in order to provide quality care to older people (Oswald, Jopp, Rott & Wahl, 2011, p 248).... ging is a multidisciplinary phenomenon that encompasses studies from various fields such as biology, genetics, sociology and psychology.... Aging is a multidisciplinary phenomenon that encompasses studies from various fields such as biology, genetics, sociology and psychology....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper

The Concepts of Psychology

This branch of psychology basically concerns itself with the various forms of understanding in regards to the way biology; social context as well as behaviour can have an influence on shaping health or even illness as seen in humans.... Sur Lecturer Date Concepts of psychology There are various instances in life whereby we are required to apply the knowledge we have acquired in psychology to help us make sense of real life situations.... There are many areas in our lives whereby the application of theories of psychology go unnoticed for example in instances such as in business management, health, product design or even in education....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Invitation to Social and Cultural Anthropology

Each branch of anthropology gives its own important lessons.... Social sciences include sociology, psychology, politics, economics, history, geography and cultural studies.... Instructor Date In what specific ways do you plan to think or live differently or to carry out your personal or professional roles differently as a consequence of this course?...
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

The Notion of Biology

Biology as a branch of science has emerged because of the curiosity about various life cycles and their influences on the environment as a whole.... The essay "The Notion of Biology" focuses on the core questions of the study of biology in terms of its shaping destiny.... There is only one question similar to this one: Does biology shape destiny?...
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Why do we look after children

Through utilising the basic premises outlined above, a commonly accepted societal norm will be investigated with the ‘eye' of the Evolutionary Psychologist to understand, not just that it exists, but rather to answer the question – Why do we look after children? According… Natural selection has fine-tuned the mechanisms that serve these ends for the specific demands of each species' ecology” (p....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Scientific inquiry

The primary objective of this branch of psychology is to preserve the ‘health and well-being' of employees and thereby it helps the organization to ‘get the most from their employees or human resources' (Spector.... I/O psychology refers to Industrial and Organizational psychology which is also called work psychology or organizational psychology or talent assessment.... In the opinion of Spector (2003: 6) ‘the application of psychological principles to organizational settings' and people at work in the organization is called Industrial and Organizational psychology....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Importance of Comparative Psychology

The branch of psychology that deals with research of animal behaviour is called comparative psychology, and its basis was laid by two prominent evolutionists Charles Darwin and Georges Romanes.... Comparative psychology concentrates on studying behavior, cognitive processes, and… However, cognitive psychology is closely related to anthropology, genetics, ecology, and biology as they all utilize evolutionary theory as the core theory for research (Dewsbary, 1978)....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Structures and Functions of the Human Brain

Relation between Physiological Psychology and BehaviourismIt is assumed that the branch of physiological psychology stemmed from the introduction of the Wundt's classic book about the principles of physiological psychology (Grundzüge der physiologischen Psychologie: Wilhelm Wundt, 1874) came into existence.... … Physiological psychologists have developed various methods for looking at the structures and functions of the human brainIntroductionPhysiological psychology, sometimes related to psychiatry, is a special part of psychology which is concerned about Physiological psychologists have developed various methods for looking at the structures and functions of the human brainIntroductionPhysiological psychology, sometimes related to psychiatry, is a special part of psychology which is concerned about the physiological causes behind the psychological processes and functioning....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us