Biological Influences on BehaviorBiological Influences on Behavior One part of the body impacts the One part of the body impacts the

others parts and your behaviors.others parts and your behaviors. When you are troubled mentally, it When you are troubled mentally, it

may cause a headache or upset may cause a headache or upset stomachstomach

By examining biological processes, By examining biological processes, you can find connections between you can find connections between biology and behavior.biology and behavior.

Nervous SystemsNervous Systems

Human nervous systems Human nervous systems regulate behavior.regulate behavior.

Without nervous systems, you Without nervous systems, you could not function as a human could not function as a human being.being.

Central and Peripheral Central and Peripheral Nervous SystemsNervous Systems

There are two main divisions:There are two main divisions: Central Nervous system is made Central Nervous system is made

up of the brain and spinal cord.up of the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system Peripheral nervous system

consists of nerve fibers running consists of nerve fibers running to and from the central system.to and from the central system.

Nervous SystemsNervous Systems

Nerve impulses carry messages Nerve impulses carry messages to the CNS and then back to the to the CNS and then back to the body to control the muscles.body to control the muscles.

This is what causes you to This is what causes you to recognize pain when it happens recognize pain when it happens so that the body doesn’t get so that the body doesn’t get damaged.damaged.

The NeuronThe Neuron

A nerve cell is called a neuron A nerve cell is called a neuron and there are billions in the bodyand there are billions in the body

Sensory Neuron – Receives and Sensory Neuron – Receives and carries information such as carries information such as seeing, hearing, tasting, smellingseeing, hearing, tasting, smelling

Motor Neuron – Involved in Motor Neuron – Involved in running, jumping or writing skillsrunning, jumping or writing skills

Parts of a NeuronParts of a Neuron

1. Dendrites – receive nerve impulses.1. Dendrites – receive nerve impulses.2. Cell body – contain the neuron’s 2. Cell body – contain the neuron’s

chromosomes and genes.chromosomes and genes.3. Axon – Sends messages to other 3. Axon – Sends messages to other

neurons.neurons.4. Synapse – The point at which two4. Synapse – The point at which twoneurons meet, a chemical connect.neurons meet, a chemical connect.

Autonomic Nervous Autonomic Nervous SystemSystem

The part of the CNS and PNS The part of the CNS and PNS that regulates the vital organs.that regulates the vital organs.

Controls the organs that we don’t Controls the organs that we don’t consciously control.consciously control.

We don’t normally control these We don’t normally control these but we can at times – breathing.but we can at times – breathing.

The Brain – Determining its role in The Brain – Determining its role in BehaviorBehavior

Five Techniques Five Techniques Scientists Use to Scientists Use to

Study the Relationship Study the Relationship of the Brain to of the Brain to

BehaviorBehavior

1. Stimulating Areas of the Brain1. Stimulating Areas of the Brain

Placement of small electrodes in the brain.

Passed electricity through the brain and note the effect on the brain.

Also, injecting drugs can do it.

2. Brain2. Brain LesionsLesionsIt refers to a part of the brain that It refers to a part of the brain that

is destroyed for some reason.is destroyed for some reason.In humans, it can only be studied In humans, it can only be studied

that way if someone has had a that way if someone has had a brain-damaging accident, or if brain-damaging accident, or if they need surgerythey need surgery

3. Recording Brain Activity3. Recording Brain ActivityEEG – electroencephalograph – It is EEG – electroencephalograph – It is

used to record a person’s brain used to record a person’s brain waves – like in “Awakenings”waves – like in “Awakenings”

It records brain activity – and it differs It records brain activity – and it differs in the awake and sleep state.in the awake and sleep state.

It also changes depending on what’s It also changes depending on what’s going on in your mind.going on in your mind.

4. Studying Nerve 4. Studying Nerve ConnectionsConnections

When we lose function in a part of When we lose function in a part of the brain, the nerves may lose the brain, the nerves may lose function as well.function as well.

By tracing the non-functioning By tracing the non-functioning nerve, scientists can trace the nerve, scientists can trace the nerves back to the part of the nerves back to the part of the brain it connects to.brain it connects to.

5. Biochemical Studies5. Biochemical StudiesChemical analysis of normal Chemical analysis of normal

brains in healthy people.brains in healthy people.Analyzing brain tissue obtained Analyzing brain tissue obtained

during surgery.during surgery.Analyzing chemical substances Analyzing chemical substances

found in the brain.found in the brain.All of these can help solve issues.All of these can help solve issues.

The Brain and the ComputerThe Brain and the Computer

Computers are much faster.Computers are much faster.A computer with the functions of a A computer with the functions of a

brain however would be huge.brain however would be huge.Brain can receive several million Brain can receive several million

inputs at one time.inputs at one time.The brain is the ultimate computerThe brain is the ultimate computer

Processing InformationProcessing InformationMuch of brain function is hereditary Much of brain function is hereditary

and biological.and biological.Whether information continues from Whether information continues from

the axon to the next neuron is based the axon to the next neuron is based on several factors – ability of the on several factors – ability of the sending neuron, receiving neuron, sending neuron, receiving neuron, and the synapse.and the synapse.

Also, it depends on prior knowledgeAlso, it depends on prior knowledge

Specific Brain PartsSpecific Brain PartsCerebral Cortex – the highest Cerebral Cortex – the highest

brain center in humans. brain center in humans.

-It is contained just under the skull.-It is contained just under the skull.

-Vision and hearing are part of it.-Vision and hearing are part of it.

Stimulating different parts of the Stimulating different parts of the brain institute movements.brain institute movements.

Impact of the Size of the BrainImpact of the Size of the Brain

Although men’s brains on Although men’s brains on average are larger, intelligence average are larger, intelligence between men and women are between men and women are similar.similar.

Size of the brain has absolutely Size of the brain has absolutely nothing to do with intelligence.nothing to do with intelligence.

Looking at the Brain as it Looking at the Brain as it WorksWorks

Structure is easy to see, but Structure is easy to see, but functions is difficult.functions is difficult.

PET – A procedure is which PET – A procedure is which radioactive glucose is used and radioactive glucose is used and examined which part of the brain examined which part of the brain the glucose is sent to.the glucose is sent to.

GlandsGlandsGlands determine Glands determine growth, energy growth, energy level, moods, and level, moods, and many other many other reactions.reactions.

Duct GlandsDuct GlandsAlso called exocrine glands.Also called exocrine glands.Glands that empty through Glands that empty through

small openings, or ducts, onto small openings, or ducts, onto the body or into cavities of the body or into cavities of the body.the body.

Examples of these are sweat, Examples of these are sweat, tear, and the salivary glands.tear, and the salivary glands.

Ductless GlandsDuctless GlandsAlso called endocrine glandsAlso called endocrine glandsMore important than duct More important than duct

glands.glands.They empty their products They empty their products

right into the bloodstream and right into the bloodstream and the chemical substances they the chemical substances they release are call hormones.release are call hormones.

Thyroid GlandThyroid GlandThis produces the hormone This produces the hormone

that regulates the speeds of that regulates the speeds of reactions and rate of growth.reactions and rate of growth.

Underactive thyroid can cause Underactive thyroid can cause dwarfism and obesity.dwarfism and obesity.

Overactive thyroid can create Overactive thyroid can create hyperactivity, restlessness, hyperactivity, restlessness, excitability, difficulty in excitability, difficulty in sleepingsleeping

Pituitary GlandPituitary GlandCalled the “master gland” Called the “master gland”

because it controls the other because it controls the other ductless glandsductless glands

Controls body growth and Controls body growth and overactivity can cause giantismoveractivity can cause giantism

Underactivity can cause Underactivity can cause dwarfism.dwarfism.

Adrenal GlandAdrenal GlandReleases the hormone adrenalin, Releases the hormone adrenalin,

when a person experiences when a person experiences anger, fear, or other active anger, fear, or other active emotions.emotions.

When adrenalin releases, pupils When adrenalin releases, pupils get wider, heartbeat increases, get wider, heartbeat increases, tiredness decreases, sweating tiredness decreases, sweating starts, stomach stops digesting.starts, stomach stops digesting.

Adrenal GlandAdrenal GlandCortisone is produces as well.Cortisone is produces as well.This helps to fight infections This helps to fight infections

and prepares a person for and prepares a person for continued muscular activity.continued muscular activity.

Too much cortisone and Too much cortisone and adrenaline can negatively adrenaline can negatively impact the body systems.impact the body systems.

GonadsGonads These are the glands that These are the glands that

support sexual reproduction.support sexual reproduction. The production of the hormones The production of the hormones

that support it increases during that support it increases during adolescence.adolescence.

If gonads are removed, behaviors If gonads are removed, behaviors change dramatically in animals, change dramatically in animals, but not as much in humans.but not as much in humans.

SleepSleep

The amount of sleep that The amount of sleep that we get, the dreams that we get, the dreams that we have, and a change we have, and a change in sleep schedules all in sleep schedules all influence our behavior.influence our behavior.

How Important is Sleep?How Important is Sleep? Loss of sleep is connected to poor Loss of sleep is connected to poor

performance.performance. When you don’t sleep well or enough, When you don’t sleep well or enough,

you must burn energy.you must burn energy. IQ tests drop 25% after 72 hours IQ tests drop 25% after 72 hours

awake without sleep.awake without sleep. IQ tests drop 15% after five nights IQ tests drop 15% after five nights

with only five hours of sleep.with only five hours of sleep. Naps can help with sleep issues.Naps can help with sleep issues.

Sleep Schedule and BehaviorSleep Schedule and Behavior

Your sleep schedule is often as Your sleep schedule is often as important as the number of hoursimportant as the number of hours

For the best sleep, try to maintain For the best sleep, try to maintain the same time going to sleep and the same time going to sleep and waking up every night.waking up every night.

People have less energy when People have less energy when their sleep cycle varies.their sleep cycle varies.

Five Stages of sleepFive Stages of sleep

The EEG test has improved the The EEG test has improved the way we study the stages of sleep.way we study the stages of sleep.

Patterns of sleep change from Patterns of sleep change from one night to the next, but the one night to the next, but the stages still occur.stages still occur.

Patterns go from very light sleep Patterns go from very light sleep to a much deeper sleep.to a much deeper sleep.

Stages of SleepStages of Sleep

Stages 1-4 are NREM sleep or Stages 1-4 are NREM sleep or non-rapid-eye-movement.non-rapid-eye-movement.

In Stage 5, we have REM or rapid In Stage 5, we have REM or rapid eye movements.eye movements.

We progress rapidly through the We progress rapidly through the stages, reaching stage four within stages, reaching stage four within 45 minutes of falling asleep.45 minutes of falling asleep.

Stages of SleepStages of Sleep

After 15-20, the pattern of stage 1 After 15-20, the pattern of stage 1 reappears, but we don’t wake up, reappears, but we don’t wake up, and this becomes stage 5.and this becomes stage 5.

Most people go through these Most people go through these stages 4-5 times per night.stages 4-5 times per night.

With each cycle, we spend more With each cycle, we spend more time in light sleep, less in deep.time in light sleep, less in deep.

How do we knowHow do we know when we dream?when we dream?

REM is the lightest sleep, and it REM is the lightest sleep, and it seems to indicate dreaming.seems to indicate dreaming.

Most people report dreaming Most people report dreaming when they are awakened during when they are awakened during REM sleep.REM sleep.

When waking from a deeper When waking from a deeper sleep, people rarely report having sleep, people rarely report having a dream.a dream.

When are we dreaming?When are we dreaming?

The fifth stage is called paradoxical The fifth stage is called paradoxical sleep…a paradox is an opposite sleep…a paradox is an opposite effect, during stage 5 EEG shows a effect, during stage 5 EEG shows a lighter sleep like in stage 1, but during lighter sleep like in stage 1, but during REM, we are harder to wake up, REM, we are harder to wake up, indicating deeper sleep.indicating deeper sleep.

The average dream period lasts The average dream period lasts about 25 minutes.about 25 minutes.

Do Dreams Change with Age?Do Dreams Change with Age?

As we grow older, dreams As we grow older, dreams change. As children, we move change. As children, we move from animals dreams at age 3-4. from animals dreams at age 3-4. By age 5-6, dreams get more By age 5-6, dreams get more complicated, by 9-10 they are complicated, by 9-10 they are about school, and by 13-14 we about school, and by 13-14 we start to have anger in our dreams.start to have anger in our dreams.

Are Dreams Necessary?Are Dreams Necessary?

If we are disturbed during the If we are disturbed during the dream stage, often we have dream stage, often we have longer dream stages later to longer dream stages later to make up for the disruption.make up for the disruption.

If people are prevented from If people are prevented from dreaming, they are more dreaming, they are more irritable when awake.irritable when awake.

Are Dreams Necessary?Are Dreams Necessary?

Evidence suggests that Evidence suggests that dreaming is necessary for dreaming is necessary for proper sleep.proper sleep.

Physical restoration happens Physical restoration happens within the first four stages, within the first four stages, while psychological restoration while psychological restoration happens in the fifth stage.happens in the fifth stage.

Methods in HypnosisMethods in Hypnosis

Hypnosis – Unusual state of Hypnosis – Unusual state of consciousness that has features in consciousness that has features in common with sleep.common with sleep.

It is not a major field of It is not a major field of psychological study, however, it is psychological study, however, it is accepted as a scientific study.accepted as a scientific study.

What is Hypnosis?What is Hypnosis? It feels like you are in a state of semi-It feels like you are in a state of semi-

sleep, between consciousness and sleep, between consciousness and unconsciousness.unconsciousness.

Hypnotized people are very open to Hypnotized people are very open to suggestion. They are usually able to suggestion. They are usually able to understand and carry out simple understand and carry out simple directions. People sleeping cannot.directions. People sleeping cannot.

How is hypnosis produced?How is hypnosis produced?

Sometimes, hypnotists use a flashing Sometimes, hypnotists use a flashing light, and has the subject stare at it.light, and has the subject stare at it.

Also, they use sounds or objects.Also, they use sounds or objects. Some only use the spoken word to push Some only use the spoken word to push

subjects into a deep sleep.subjects into a deep sleep. They narrow the subject’s attention so They narrow the subject’s attention so

that all they hear are the suggestions of that all they hear are the suggestions of the hypnotist. You can only hypnotize the the hypnotist. You can only hypnotize the willing and people who cooperate.willing and people who cooperate.

How people reactHow people react

Some people can’t tell the difference Some people can’t tell the difference between suggested pain and real painbetween suggested pain and real pain

Some can recall suppressed memorySome can recall suppressed memory They can’t recall facts that they never They can’t recall facts that they never

knew or barely knew.knew or barely knew. They are very prone to suggestion and They are very prone to suggestion and

focus on what the hypnotist tells them.focus on what the hypnotist tells them.

Practical Uses of HypnosisPractical Uses of Hypnosis

Reducing pain and discomfort.Reducing pain and discomfort. Serves as an anesthetic.Serves as an anesthetic. Treats psychological disturbances.Treats psychological disturbances. Can change undesirable behaviors.Can change undesirable behaviors. Can help you find lost articles/info.Can help you find lost articles/info. Only professionals should do it.Only professionals should do it.