Foundations of Psychology: Methods, Brain, and Biopsychology

Notes

Absolutely! Let’s make Unit 1 (Psychology Basics & Research Methods) and Unit 2 (Biological Bases of Behavior & Brain) simple, digestible, and memorable. I’ll also give you easy memory tricks. • Definition: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Approach Focus Memory Trick Behavioral Observable behavior, learning from environment Think: “Baby learns by copying” Cognitive Thinking, memory, problem-solving “Cognition = brain calculations” Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Unconscious motives “Iceberg: most is hidden” Humanistic Personal growth, free will “Humans reach for stars” Biological Brain, genetics, neurotransmitters “Biology = body drives mind” Evolutionary Survival & reproduction “Darwin’s brain” Sociocultural Social & cultural influences “Society shapes behavior” Memory trick: “Dogs Can Eat Randomly” → Descriptive, Correlation, Experimental, Random assignment. Memory trick: “I Can Dance” → Informed, Confidential, Debrief • Parts of neuron: Dendrite → Cell body → Axon → Terminal → Synapse Neurotransmitter Function Memory Dopamine Pleasure, reward “Dope = feel good” Serotonin Mood, sleep “Serene = calm” Acetylcholine (ACh) Muscles & memory “ACH! muscles move” GAB...