1.7: Overview of the Book
This book consists of 12 chapters. It starts by covering foundations of biological psychology (e.g., brain anatomy, neurons, research methods), continues to higher-level topics that link biology and psychology (how drugs and hormones affect the brain and behavior, brain development, memory, genetics and emotions), and concludes with how things can go wrong in the brain (brain damage, neurological diseases, and psychological disorders). Here is a brief overview of each chapter:
Chapter 2 introduces the anatomy and structure of “The Brain and Nervous System.” It describes the organization of the central and peripheral nervous systems and introduces major brain regions and terminology that will be used in later chapters.
Chapter 3 on “Neurons” provides an overview of the basic structure of neurons and their means of communication. The goal of this chapter is to learn the anatomical structure of neurons and understand how they communicate via electrochemical signals to process sensory information and produce complex behaviors.
Chapter 4 introduces the “Research Methods in Biological Psychology.” Biological Psychology is a wide-ranging field, so not surprisingly, it employs many research techniques. Early insights into the function of specific brain regions emerged from rare cases of focal brain damage. Today, researchers can observe brain activity using brain recording methods like EEG, fMRI, and PET. Researchers can also test theories by activating or deactivating neurons with, for example, strong magnets (transcranial magnetic stimulation) or genetic manipulation (e.g., optogenetics). Much of what we know about the brain comes from studies with laboratory animals that use invasive research methods like implanting electrodes into animals’ brains or modifying an animal’s genes.
Chapter 5 introduces “Psychopharmacology,” or the study of how drugs affect behavior. Drugs that change the way you think or feel are called psychoactive or psychotropic drugs, and almost everyone has used such a drug (yes, caffeine and alcohol are psychoactive). Drugs can increase or decrease activity at a neuron’s synapse by blocking or mimicking the naturally occurring neurotransmitters. This can alter brain activity, and in turn, subjective experience, mood, behavior, and mental and physical health. This chapter examines the use of drugs to treat psychiatric disorders, and concludes with animations of how drugs like alcohol, caffeine, and cannabis affect neurotransmitters and synaptic processing in the brain.
Chapter 6 “Hormones, Sex & Gender” introduces the intricate relationships between hormones, brain, behavior, sex, and gender. Hormones are chemical messengers released from endocrine glands that travel through the blood system to influence the nervous system and regulate behaviors such as aggression, mating, and parenting. The chapter discusses how hormones shape biological sex characteristics, examines evidence for sex differences in psychology and the brain, and concludes with the diverse and variable nature of sex, gender, and sexual orientation.
Chapter 7 “Development of the Brain and Nervous System” covers the stages of development from the neural tube in the embryo to fully formed brain structures in adulthood. We discuss early neural growth and migration, the key developmental process of programmed neuron death, and the recent discovery of adult neurogenesis (adults do generate new neurons). The chapter covers neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change), how plasticity varies across the lifespan (e.g., in sensitive periods), and tradeoffs between brain plasticity and processing efficiency. Brain plasticity and development have ramifications for learning, maturation, treatment of disorders, and staving off age-related declines.
Chapter 8 on “Learning & Memory” explores fundamental types of memory, including working, declarative, and nondeclarative memory, and examines the crucial brain structures involved, such as the hippocampus. It highlights the seminal case of Patient HM. The chapter delves into memory processing stages and the importance of sleep in memory consolidation. It introduces exciting new research on “targeted memory reactivation,” wherein sounds or smells can be used to strengthen memories during sleep. The chapter concludes with memory disorders and research-based tips for improving your memory.
Chapter 9 covers “Genetics and Epigenetics in Psychology.” Psychological researchers study genetics to understand the biological factors that contribute to certain behaviors. Genes (nature) and the environment (nurture) both influence brain structure and function, shaping our thoughts and behaviors. In this chapter, we review fundamental genetics and look at how behavioral geneticists study the relative contributions of genes and environment. We discuss gene-environment interactions, and the relatively new field of epigenetics, which studies how the environment and behaviors can cause changes in how our genes work.
Chapter 10 on “Emotion and Affective Neuroscience” provides a brief overview of the neuroscience of emotion. The chapter integrates findings from human and animal research to describe the brain networks and associated neurotransmitters involved in basic affective systems and emotions such as fear, anger, pleasure, and love (Harmon-Jones & Harmon-Jones, 2023).
Chapter 11 “Brain Damage, Neurodegeneration, and Neurological Disease” presents some ways that healthy brain function can be disrupted. Understanding brain dysfunction helps appreciate the delicate balance and fragility of a healthy brain, and is important for developing effective treatments for brain damage and neurodegeneration. In the Neurological Disease section, we cover Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. In the Brain Damage section, we cover Stroke, Brain Tumors, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI has many causes including the widely recognized risks from contact sports or car accidents; a less recognized but rampant cause of TBI is Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). To introduce that topic, we turn to an expert researcher from Harvard Medical School, Prof. Eve Valera. Note that this content can be distressing, especially for those directly or indirectly affected by IPV. We provide CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) resources on addressing and preventing Intimate Partner Violence.
Chapter 12 covers the “Biopsychology of Psychological Disorders.” Psychological disorders can be linked to brain dysfunction and genetic factors. This chapter examines such biological underpinnings and the symptoms of several common psychological disorders including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. We briefly present some common biologically-based treatments for these disorders.
