Biopsychology: 1) The Nervous System

This branch of psychology that analyzes how the brain nuerotransmitters influence our behaviour, toughts and feelings. 

Look at how biological processesinteract with emotions, cognitions and other mental process.

This approach assumes that behaviour and experiences are caused by activity in the nervous system.

The system is a complex network of nerve cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body and so helps all parts of the body communicate with each other.

The brain (the powerhouse of the body!) controls the nervous system.

The brain has many billions of neural cross-connections.

The brain overseas the working of the body, while its higher functions provide us with consciousness and making us who we are.

2 functions:

1) To collect, process and respond to information in the environment.

2) To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.

Nervous System

Central Nervous System                                                                      Peripheral nervous system

Brain                      Spinal Cord

Autonomic Nervous system             Somatic nervous sytem 

Sympathetic division                                  Parasympathetic

- Brain is the center of all conscious awareness.

• controls behaviour.

-Cerebral cortex: distinguish our higher mental function from animals.

• Cerebrum
• Cerebellum
• Diencephalon
• Brain stem

-It is respionsible for reflex actions such as pulling you hand away if it goes into a fire.

-It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS.

-PNS transmits messages, via millions of neurons , to and from the CNS.

-Controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors.

-Autonomic nervous system: Controls involuntary action that are out of control of your system. E.g. BPM

1) Sympatheic nervous system:

• Fight or flight
• prepares body for action
• increases blood pressure
• pupil dialiation

2)Parasympathetic nervous system:

• Calms you down