Establishment to Clinical, Cognitive, and Behavioral Neuroscience - Assignment Example

Methods of Research Date of submission PART A Biological psychology deals with the study of behavior. Biology is defined as the study of human life while psychology is the study of behavior. Biological psychology, therefore, is the study of the interrelationship between human behavior and the physiological processes. The discipline deals with the use of biology principles such as physiological, developmental mechanisms and genetic influence on human behavior. It is concerned with mental activities such as brain circuitry, neurotransmitters, among other biological processes that affect behavior. Its central focus is on the nervous system in explaining activities such as thinking, perceiving, learning sensing and feeling. Biological psychology has continually been involved in the study of internal and external stimuli that motivates human behavior towards the realization of emotions, learning, cognitions as well as the mental disorders. Psychology relates to many disciplines. These disciplines include sociology, social sciences, history, environment, economics, physical anthropology, cultural anthropology among other disciplines. Is implies that professional from these disciplines gain benefits from studying biological psychology. Sociology and psychology have closer ties and are considered as interdependent. While psychology is concerned with the analysis of activities that takes place in the human mind and the behavioral activities, sociology, on the other hand, deals with the human way of life. Psychology explains the laws of human relationships and the drives behind these relationships; sociology explores social relationships themselves. Both of them are regarded as social disciplines which are also regarded as positive science. Both disciplines support each other, therefore, creating a systematic inter-relationship (Breedlove, 2013). Other than being only psychological discipline, biopsychology benefits other disciplines that are related to medical practices. Psychiatrists, for example, require the psychology knowledge to explain the mental processes that cause disorders. Biopsychology studies all the processes taking place in the human brain such as thinking and perception. This knowledge is helpful to the psychiatrists seeking to help patients faced with psychotic and neurotic psychological disorders. Psychiatrists, therefore, find biopsychology a relevant part of their profession. Educationists apply the knowledge of biopsychology in their daily life. Teachers need the knowledge of psychology to explain their learners’ behavior in classroom and outside class experience. They need to understand the variability on behavior which they conceive through the learners’ performance. In order to understand their student’s performance in class work, they need to understand the mental processes that influence behavior. These mental processes include thought, perception, and contemplation among others. Information on these processes is found in the study of biological psychology. Knowledge in biological psychology will also help teachers to handle the cases of indiscipline in schools as well as solving the challenges posed by stress and self-esteem among the students. This knowledge is relevant to the teachers teaching high schools and post-secondary institutions. This is because these institutions constitute of much research fields which equip learners with information beyond the classroom work. Scientific researchers benefit from the knowledge of biological psychology. Researchers interested in the study of the human brain and human conditions such as mental illness, brain injuries, and stress analysis among other functions find the biopsychology knowledge relevant to their situations. Pharmaceutical companies seeking to find medical solutions to the mental studies may decide to conduct research that will offer these solutions. Other researchers include medical practitioners as well as educational institutions. Other professionals who benefit from biopsychology include the counselors especially those dealing with mental health. Counselors are interested in the neuropsychological processes and may end up working in the mental health institutions in order to handle cases of cerebral disorders among patients. They will also apply the knowledge in handling cases of the handicapped patients facing the challenge of low self- esteem, as well as self- blame. Other professionals that need biopsychology include economists especially the managers interested in explaining their workers’ behavior. Biopsychology is applicable in practical life situations. Unlike other concepts that are abstract and theoretical, biopsychology works in the everyday life of individuals. Bio psychologists apply their knowledge in several areas. First, biological psychology provides information on motivation strategies. Any person interested in motivating an individual or groups find the knowledge of biopsychology relevant. Learning the mental processes help in understanding of behavior, therefore, providing room for development of motivation strategies necessary to drive a person into the desired behavior. Motivation takes place in almost every aspect of life, for example, in schools, workplaces and homes among other places. This shows that biopsychology is practically applicable in almost every aspect of life. Secondly, biopsychology knowledge is applied by leaders to improve their leadership skills. Study of the mental processes in humans is necessary for any person aspiring to be a leader. This is because, as a leader; one needs to understand his or her subjects well in order to cope with them. Many people in leadership positions such as teachers apply biopsychology in handling the challenges that arise, for example, misunderstandings that result from poor interpretation of concepts or situations. With the knowledge on the ways in which individuals interpret the situations as well as how they perceive, leaders develop the best communication strategy that is non-offensive to those they lead. Many biological psychologists are found in mental hospitals. The knowledge of biological psychology is applied in tracing solutions to the mental disorders caused by stress hormones. In hospitals, biopsychology helps in the analysis of disorders such as blood pressure, asthma, headaches and ulcers which are believed to be stress related disorders, research shows that a number of these disorders are caused by mental processes and therefore mental solutions are required. Health psychologists, therefore, base their treatment on bio psychological knowledge. Rehabilitation centers are common features in the modern society. Rehabilitation centers are the common places where biological psychologists apply their knowledge practically. They use their knowledge of mental activities to explain the causes of drinking, smoking, drug abuse among other problems faced by the patients or convicts. Practical application of biological psychology is seen in the institutions of higher learning. This is specifically in colleges and universities. Educational institutions conduct many researchers to test the workability of some of the theories proposed by psychologists. Students seeking to occupy medical professions such as psychiatry, neurosurgeon, medical and clinical officers among others conducts research on human brains. Sometimes, these students carry operations on animals such as rats to understand the functioning ability of the brain. Additionally, many institutions offer biological psychology discipline alongside other disciplines. It is also applied in counseling departments developed in schools which seek to solve the emotional problems faced by students. Legal institutions are other areas where biological psychology is practically applied. Psychologists from this branch are often called forward to act as expert witness in cases where issues of an insanity defense are involved. The biological psychologists’ information is required to prove whether indeed the suspect is suffering from any form of insanity or mental disorder. This will help in determining whether the defendant is guilty or not. Criminals suffering from mental disorders are not in any position to realize their mistakes or wrongs and therefore declared innocent. Additionally bio psychologists are called forward in courts to clarify any conflicting matters, for example, matters of accuracy of the eye witness’s information as well as their mental fitness or competency. The knowledge that I gained from studying biological psychology is helpful in my daily life activities. First, it has provided me with a way of creating a unique forum for my interaction, as well as collaboration with other professional from fields like scientific and clinical areas. The training in areas of behavioral medicine, anatomy of the human brain, and anthropology among others will help me share my experience with other professionals. I will also apply this knowledge in enhancing my communication with others because the knowledge on the behavior will help in my understanding of people’s reactions. The knowledge of this unit will help me achieve my dream of developing my own book that will encompass all the psychological aspects. I will apply the principles and knowledge to represent my own ideas on the discipline. Additionally, the knowledge will help in the systematic organization of my work. I will also apply the knowledge of this unit in exploring other disciplines such as biology, behavioral processes as well help in isolating the multitudes of specialists who make up the whole biological professions. I will also apply the knowledge in explaining the biological and behavioral processes that take place in the individual’s lifespan as well as utilize the results in promoting my health and those of my clients. PART B 1.0 Research problem Assumptions made by biological psychologists on behavior change and behavior modification. Ways that biological psychologists explain human behavior. Ways that bio psychologists study human behavior. 2.0 Literature review Psychologists using the biological approach developed several assumptions to explain human behavior. Research indicates that biopsychology assumes that human behavior and human experiences are caused by activities taking place in the nervous system of the human body (Kalat, 2013). This indicates that the thoughts and feelings of human beings are the result of the electrochemical activities taking pace in and within the neuroses that make up the human brain. They also assume that brain development and activities are determined by the genes inherited by a person. This implies that they assume that behavior is inherited. Additionally, biological psychologists assume that since the inherited genes is as a result of evolution, then behavior also evolve from one stage to the next. This explains why biological psychologists have many processes consisting of evolutionary processes in behavior and general human life. Biological psychologists explain behavior in several ways. Research indicates that biological psychologists explain behavior in relationship to the ways in which the brain and the nervous system functions. Although the brain is divided into several sections, biological psychologists only concentrate on those areas that responsible for various behavioral reactions (Gallagher, 2002). For example, biological psychologist’s belief that human speech is governed by a section in the brain known as the cerebral cortex that determines the human ability to communicate as well as develop in a language. The cerebral cortex, however, is connected to other organs responsible for mental activities such as thinking, reasoning as well as other auditory functions. Other biological psychologists explain human behavior in terms of genetic influences. These biological psychologists belief that behavior traits are transmitted from parent to child. They assume that specific aspects of behavior are the result of inherited genes. For example, they argue that some cases of psychological disorders such as the schizophrenia with a variety of symptoms like hallucinations, disorganization in speech and thinking, as well as cases of delusions, is caused by a variety of complexities. However, they argue that schizophrenia is partly caused by faulty genes inherited by a schizophrenic. They argue that genes also influence the nervous system development, therefore, influencing the development of behavior. Malfunctioning in genes is, therefore, believed by biological psychologists to cause disorders (Gallagher, 2002). Bio psychologists also explain the behavior in terms of chemicals in the human brain that can influence behavior. Research shows that the brain consists of many chemical processes referred to neurotransmitters and hormonal adjustments that send signals to and from the neural system. Number of these chemicals will determine the under or over-activity in the brain which results in changes, in the ways of thinking and perception. For example, researchers found out that the levels of sex hormones have a lot of influence on the how an individual behaviors. Increase in chemicals like testosterone results in high risk taking activities while chemicals such as oxytocin results in a caring and social responsibility. Biological psychologists study human behavior in many different ways. However, they favor qualitative and objective methods that are likely to produce acceptable scientific evidence. Researchers interested in studying genetic influence on behavior may decide to use family history and cases of adoption stories. They then compare the relationships between the various related people to try and find evidence of genetic influence. For example, research study indicates that most schizophrenics are influenced by genes (Kalat, 2013). Other study ways include the use of brain scanning technology to study the structure and functioning of the brain. Nervous system is also studied through the surgical manipulation of the brain surgically. This type is normally conducted on animals especially on the mammals which are believed as having several commonalities to the human beings. Additionally, researchers may choose to investigate issues such as the effects of brain injury and brain surgery on people’s behavior. This is normally conducted on people who have undergone some operations to remove the complexities such as epilepsy and brain tumors. 3.0 Implications This research provides a lot of information to several stakeholders. It therefore has the following implications: Explaining the cognitive and genetic deficits faced by schizophrenics and other neuropsychiatric disorders. This includes an explanation on their behavior as well as solutions suggestions. Provide strategies to the researchers on the ways approaches analysis of human behavior during their research process. Provides enormous understanding of the fundamental mental processes that influence human behavior and reactions to the world surrounding him. Explaining the effects of brain surgery and brain damages on the behavior of an individual. 4.0 Hypotheses Behavior is influenced by genetics and heredity Brain fractures influence human behavior chemical processes taking place in the brain influence human behavior Biological psychology explanation of behavior is based on mere assumptions 5.0 Methodology Research demands that the best methodology should be considered in order for the researcher to meet his or her stated hypotheses. This research will apply the qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitatively, the research will explain, describe and give an insightful thought on the various causes and influences on the human behavior. This will involve analyzing beliefs, people’s experiences, and ideas and also the values related to behavior change and modification. This will allow comparison of variables as well as development of after research hypotheses. Qualitative research methods Interviews Interviews will include one on one discussion with the human subjects who have knowledge of mental processes and mental disorders. This will reduce the cases of speculations because people lie less when they undergo one on one discussion. These interviews will be contacted on the medical doctors who have experience with patients whose brains had been damaged. Interviews will also be conducted on the relatives and caretakers of the people who are suffering from the mental disorders. Two kinds of questions will be used depending on the demand of the covered topic. These will include open ended and closed questions. Quantitative research methods Questionnaires Questionnaires will be provided to help reach a wide coverage. This will involve questions that do not require elaborate explanations or demonstrations. It will be convenient in time management compared to the use of interviews. However, care will be taken to avoid the inconveniences posed by blind responses from the subjects. The two methodologies are relevant in the study. However, there are other important strategies that will provide valid information. This will include the use of experiments. Experiments will be conducted on animals such as rats as well as on mammals to verify the interrelationship between them and human beings. Inn situations where conducting experiments on a human being is considered right, them humans can be used (Freberg, 2010). 5.0 Validity of the research The research information will be charged as either valid or invalid based on the acceptable criteria, methodology and ethical considerations followed during the research process. 7.0 Criteria for ethical conduct of the research Ethical conduct in the research process will be attained through adherence to the following: Responsibilities to the research participants An ethical research will involve being answerable to the participant irrespective of whether they are active or passive. Experiments on animals must have permission from the relevant persons. Also, analysis of human behavior should be conducted only with the permission from the subject under study. Responsibility also involves being answerable to the various biological associations. Attention should be paid to people’s backgrounds, and no prejudice should arise based on beliefs, religion, culture or any other background information (Freberg, 2010). Voluntary information Participants provide voluntary information. No force or any form of manipulation should be used. They should not be blackmailed but be informed on the process and its requirements. Social networks such as taking videos, notes and recording should be conducted with the permission from the participant. Withdrawal right and disclosure Any participant is free to withdraw from the research process. Researchers keep this in mind knowing that they have no power over the participant. Under such situations, biological researchers review their ways to check if they offended the participant in any way. If the researcher needs the participant back, then he or she needs to persuade them. Conclusively, research is an elaborate process that demands much attention and consideration. Research procedure needs to be adhered to, and the ethical considerations are paramount to any successful research. References Breedlove, S. M. (2013). Biological psychology: An introduction to behavioral, cognitive, and clinical Neuroscience. S.l.: Sinauer Associates Inc., U. Freberg, L. (2010). Discovering biological psychology. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth, CengageLearning. Top of Form Gallagher, M. (2002). Handbook of Psychology, Volume 3, Biological Psychology: Volume 3, Biological Psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Kalat, J. W. (2013). Biological psychology. Belmont, CA [etc.: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Kimble, D. P. (1992). Biological psychology: Study guide to accompany Biological psychology Daniel P. Kimble; prepared by Wesley P. Jordan. Fort Worth, USA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Read More