Biological Psychology (Essay Sample)

Running Head: Biological psychology
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Biological psychology
Part A
What careers other than psychology would benefit from fundamental knowledge of Biological psychology
Biological psychology involves the study of the correspondence between psychology and physiology. It focuses on the working of the nervous system as it performs activities like thinking, perception, memory and learning (Kalat, 2012).
Biological psychology finds the relation between the brain and the human behavior. Various careers benefit from the knowledge of Biological psychology. The holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Biological psychology can conduct laboratory experiments, work in the field, and examine natural behavior (kalat, 2012). They perform these functions as assistants or coordinators. Research assistants conduct research in the field depending on the supervisors.
Pharmaceutical companies gain from the research in biological psychology. Pharmaceutical companies test drugs such as antidepressants and anti-psychotics to determine their effect on human behavior (Kalat, 2012). Research on the chemical constitution of the brain provides the basis for conducting pertinent studies and experiments that provide crucial information such as development of infants and the brain. Information like this is important to pharmaceutical companies (Kalat, 2012).
The criminal justice system requires information provided by biological psychology to determine the effect of punishment on the society. With the knowledge of biological psychology, various government institutions get an understanding of the aging process. Based on this knowledge, the responsible government institution administers care to the senior citizens of the society.
Biological psychology research allows researchers to test different theories and concepts. Institutions like the military require such findings for their specific needs. The consumer and public relations sector of business require information about the behavior of the masses towards a company’s products and services. This field of psychology helps business anticipates human behavior and therefore its impact on the demand and supply for products and services of a business.
The human service sector such as the clergy, teachers and other service providers require knowledge of biological psychology to enable them dispense services to the youth. The human service sector requires information like the effects of family living conditions and the physical and emotional impact of an environment on an individual (Kalat, 2012). The academic institutions like schools, colleges, and universities require knowledge of biological psychology to dispense guidance on the youth.
Practical applications of biological psychology
Biological psychologists elaborate the behavior of people and animals on the functioning of the nervous system. Biological psychologists divide the brain into regions that perform specific functions; they also elaborate the relationship between these specific functions with other regions of the brain. For example, the cerebral cortex derives language. The cerebral cortex connects to other regions of the brain that regulate thinking and other cognitive skills (Aleixo, 2008). The chemical processes of the brain have an influence on the behavior. These chemicals are neurotransmitters and hormones. Increased levels of these hormones and neurotransmitters have an effect on the behavior. For example, an increased level of testosterone increases the ability to take risks in humans. While an increased level of oxytocin causes one to be socially responsive (Aleixo, 2008).
Biological psychology is a field rooted in theoretical concepts. These concepts try to predict human behavior and to anticipate development processes. Scientific research applies knowledge of biological psychology to gather information on particular conditions and parts of the brain (Frebeg, 2010). With the aid of biological psychology, neuroscientists try to find the sources and the effects of injuries to the brain, hormones, mental illnesses, and stress. Human research participants, surgical trials, and tests on animal subjects enable researchers to gather information. Information on the chemical constitution of the brain has led to the manufacture of drugs for treatment of illnesses like schizophrenia and Prozac (Frebeg, 2010). Information gathered from studies and experiments also provides awareness regarding the development of children and infants (Frebeg, 2010). This helps parents and educators to provide guidance and counseling services to the youth and the children.
Application of biological psychology in life
The application of concepts and theories of biological psychology takes place in a number of fields such as in teaching careers. Biological psychologists teach in high school and post secondary institutions by conducting experiments, working in the field and examining natural behaviors of people and animal subjects. The study of biological psychology is applicable in the comparative methods by which scientists try to understand human behavior. Scientists study and investigate different species of animals to draw conclusions on the psychology of man (Kalat, 2012).
Secondly, scientists study the physiological aspects of the nervous system. They investigate the effects of drugs on the brain, psychologically and behaviorally. Thirdly, biological inheritance is a field in Biological psychology that investigates what an animal or person inherits from its parents and the genetics. Biological psychology tries to uncover its relation to intelligence and cognitive skills (Kalat, 2012).
The research carried out on various drugs help the Government Issue bans on certain drugs or issue legalization. For example, the use of medicinal marijuana to treat schizophrenia is legal in some parts of the world. The government gets data from biopsychology regarding the effects of drugs such as cocaine and heroin to determine legalization and sentencing laws and jurisdiction.
Biological psychology research: The effects of sleep deprivation on human behavior
Introduction
Sleep deprivation is a frequent problem in the current society. Sleep enables the body to repair itself and regenerate. This research hypothesis is sheds light on the correspondence between sleep deprivation on one hand and blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, and cognitive abilities on the other (Dongen, 2010) .
A healthy routine entails a good sleep pattern. A healthy dose of sleep should be up to eight hours for adults and nine hours for children. Proper sleep enables the growth and development of the mind and the body. However, sleep deprivation affects health, performance, and safety of an individual. There are numerous reasons for sleep deprivation or interrupted sleep. Some of them may include mental health conditions, stress, or prioritization of work over sleep. Sleep deprivation can be either acute or chronic. Some of the effects of sleep deprivation may include fatigue, clumsiness, sleepiness during the day, weight gain, confusion, memory lapses, depression, hallucination, headaches, irritability, seizures, yawning and weight gain among others (Dongen, 2010).
In order to conclude the benefits of adequate sleep and those of sleep deprivation, this paper hopes to shed light on the negative effects of sleep deprivation. Specifically, this research addresses common causes and consequences of sleep deprivation, how to improve sleep pattern and the effects of sleep deprivation on the behavior.
Literature review on sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a condition caused by inadequate sleep, the person remains in a wake state for more than the normal time. Sleep deprivation is a problem that has existed for a long time. Investigations into sleep deprivation started with Henri Pieron who proposed different concepts about sleep. Studies indicate that the brain’s prefrontal cortex displays more activity in people who were sleepy than people who acquire enough sleep (Dongen, 2010). This means that the brains of individuals who deprive themselves of sleep work harder than individuals who sleep enough.
The temporal and the parietal lobes of the brain indicate the same tendencies during sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation has correspondence with life threatening conditions like heart diseases and mental illness. Research has it that deprivation of sleep causes the brain to be incapable of putting emotional tasks into perspective. Inadequate sleep causes the brain to produce inadequate amounts of cortisol that is the hormone responsible for sleep. Lack of adequate sleep also affects the immune system, moods, sexual behavior, and the digestion of food (Kushida, 2008). Sleep loss increases the quantity of inflammatory mediators, which corresponds to long-term chronic illnesses like cancer.
Research on the healing process of wounds among patients during sleep deprivation indicate that patients who have sufficient amounts of sleep heal better and quickly as compared to their sleep deprived counterparts. Inadequate sleep has impacts on the attention of the mind.
Constant muscular activity and use without adequate rest results in cramps. In extreme cases, sleep deprived individuals experience hernias. The effects of sleep deprivation are numerous. An individual might fall into micro-sleep, which is a state where an individual falls into sleep unknowingly due to chronic sleep deprivation (Kushida, 2008). Loss of sleep offsets the endocrine system therefore hindering its ability to maintain and adjust the energy requirements of the body. This leads to weigh gain because; inadequate sleep causes the body to demand more food. The energy expends more energy during sleep deprivation and the digestion of food causing build up of fats in the body.
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