APP - Biological Bases of Behavior Review Lesson
Understanding Human Behavior and the Nervous System
Heredity and the Environment
Heredity and environment play crucial roles in shaping human behavior and mental processes. Heredity, or nature, refers to the genetic traits that influence physical behavior and mental characteristics. On the other hand, the environment, or nurture, encompasses external factors such as family interactions and education that we experience throughout our lives. The evolutionary perspective examines how natural selection impacts behavior and mental processes to enhance survival and reproductive success. However, it's essential to note that misapplications of evolutionary principles, like eugenics, can lead to discrimination.
The Nervous System
Research on the influence of genes on individual behavior often involves twin studies and family studies. The central nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, interacts with all bodily processes. In contrast, the peripheral nervous system transmits messages from the central system to the rest of the body, encompassing the autonomic and somatic systems. Two key types of neural cells, neurons, and glial cells, form the foundation of the nervous system and are integral to all behavioral and mental processes.
The Neuron and Neural Firing
Neurotransmission, the process by which neurons communicate, involves various principles like depolarization, reuptake, and threshold. Disruptions in this process can lead to disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin play critical roles in behavior and mental processes, stimulating or inhibiting neural messages. Similar to neurotransmitters but acting outside the nervous system, hormones also impact behavior and mental processes.
Psychoactive Drugs
Psychoactive drugs can influence neurotransmitter function, with some acting as agonists, encouraging neural firing, and others as antagonists, discouraging neural activity. These drugs can have psychological and physiological effects, leading to tolerance or addiction. The brain, comprising the brain stem, reticular activating system, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex, controls various functions, from basic bodily processes to higher-order thinking and coordination.
Consciousness
Consciousness encompasses varying levels of awareness, feelings, thoughts, and behavior influenced by internal and external factors. The sleep-wake cycle follows a 24-hour circadian rhythm, with distinct stages of sleep characterized by specific EEG patterns. Sleep theories like activation synthesis and memory consolidation shed light on the purpose of sleep in organizing memories and restoring resources. Disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea can disrupt healthy sleep patterns, affecting overall well-being.
Sensation
Sensation involves detecting environmental information and transducing stimuli into neurochemical messages for brain processing. The sensory systems work together through sensory interaction, with sensory adaptation and Weber's law explaining our sensitivity to stimuli. Vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch are all senses processed by specific structures in the body and brain, each contributing uniquely to our perception and understanding of the world around us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the intricate interplay between heredity and the environment significantly influences human behavior and mental processes. While genetic traits shape physical and mental characteristics, external factors like family interactions and education also play a pivotal role in our development. Understanding the impact of evolution on behavior is crucial, but caution must be exercised to prevent harmful applications such as discrimination. The nervous system, composed of the central and peripheral systems, along with neurotransmission and neural firing, underpins all behavioral processes. Psychoactive drugs, consciousness, and sensation further highlight the complexity of human experience and perception, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to studying and understanding human behavior and the nervous system.
Terms to Know
[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION