2. Introduction to Perspectives in Psychology

6. The Biological Perspective

Focus

We are controlled by the body and brain which creates our emotions, memories, and sensory experiences.

Key ideas   Evolution and heredity influence behaviour

Messages that control behaviour are transmitted within the body, by hormones and electrical signals.

Brain and blood chemistry are linked with moods and motives.

Often mental illnesses that are “organic” in nature (a problem in the brain) are treated with drugs.

Brain scans to indicate physiological problems linked to addiction and disease.

The effects of biology on human experience will be discussed in the Biological influences on Behaviour section.

New findings in the field of genetics have had implications for the current thinking about what makes people who they are. Is it our genes or our environment, or a mixture or both, and how do they interact.  These ideas will be discussed in the Heredity section.