Chapter 3 of Gleitman: The brain and the nervous system

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
What is biological psychology? It is the relationship between brain and thought/behaviour. Fundamental concepts in Biological Psychology: Thinking = brain processes

Experiments show that brain activity precedes our conscious intention to act. Example: one EEG experiment showed that there is a 300 millisecond gap between our conscious decision to act and brain processes that make the act happen. The processes happen first.

Information is sent via electrical signals and chemical signals. Special mechanisms ensure that signals are preserved (transmission) and combined (processing) as necessary. Look up Phineas Gage and take a look at Brodmanns areas. There are parallel systems within the brain; for example: different types of movement, like riding a bike versus making a random shape and then trying to recreate it. Common sense tells us that: We act according to our will

Biological psychology shows us that: There are multiple, sometimes conflicting routes to action Most of these processes are unconscious We often do not know why we do things

Common sense tells us that: we perceive exactly what we see

Biological psychology shows us that: Conscious perception is hugely influenced by expectation we often see what it is useful for us to see Conscious perception is only one function of vision