DIFFERENT VIEWS OF WHAT PSYCHOLOGY SHOULD BE

I. Approach #1: Neurophysiology

(Neurobiology, Neuroscience, Physiological Psychology, biomedical): An approach which emphasizes that all actions, feelings, and thoughts are associated with bodily events such as the firing of nerve cells in the brain or the release of hormones).

Picture of brain

A. View of humans:

B. What psychology should be:

C. Founded by quacks, biologists, and physicians and still extremely popular today.

Examples of past adventures in neurophysiological research:

Examples of its popularity today:

D. Objections/Problems with this "physical" approach

1. A Philosophical question:

2. Two serious scientific problems

(Remember: Science depends on e_____________).

#1

#2

E. Promising new developments

F. Applications to Therapy

1. Techniques

2. Questions/Objections to Biological Therapies


You should now be able to:

1. Explain why no single approach is sufficient to completely understand human behavior.

2. Explain the neurophysiological approach to psychology.

3. List at least three objections to the neurophysiological approach.

4. Describe at least one instance where the neurophysiological approach has been very successful.

5. Evaluate the statement: The neurophysiological approach is the most scientific approach to studying psychology.

6. Be able to explain how a neurophysiologist would diagnose a violent individual.

You should also:

  1. Get a more detailed look at how the brain and nervous system work.
  2. Look at this very nice web site that has something (neurophysiological) for everyone. It starts by explaining the very basics of neurophysiology at a level an elementary school child could understand. However, you can also, if you wish, go fairly far beyond the basics at this site. Despite the name, it's not just for kids! A good beginning point is the link for "Exploring the brain and nervous system."

  3. Review this concept map


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