BHARATHIAR UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION AND CAREER GUIDANCE

ASSIGNEMNT – I

SUBJECT
CAREER ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TOOLS
TOPIC: BIOLOGICAL/BIOPSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

SUBMITTED BY:
G.KANAGASABAPATHY
PG Diploma in Career Guidance for Executives

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 BIOLOGICAL OR BIOPSYCHOLOGY PERSPECTIVE

Introduction

The Biological Perspective or Biopsychology is a latest development in the field of

psychology which has acquired increasing importance as a specialized branch of
psychology in recent times. This branch of psychology is also known by different names
like Psychobiology, Biological Psychology, Behavioural Neuroscience and
Physiological Psychology. The Biological Psychology attempts to analyze the relationship
between physiological or biological processes on the behaviour or psychological processes.
This specialized branch of psychology studies how our brain or the neurotransmitters and
other biological parameters influence our psychology and behaviour, feelings as well as
thoughts. Bio-psychologists pay attention to understanding how various biological factors
or parameters influence our mental processes, emotions and cognitive functioning.

Bio-psychologists attempt to relate the psychological or behavioural variables with

the biological, genetic or physiological variables. Bio-psychologists key area of focus is on
understanding the functioning of brain for understanding behaviour, since central
nervous system controls or influences human behaviour. The major areas of focus
perception & sensation, memory & learning, movement control, motivated behaviours for
obtaining food, clothing & shelter, human emotions, biological rhythm and sleep.

With the advancements in technology and in research techniques, various advanced

issues such as decision making, reasoning, language and consciousness, are now
considered to be the focus areas of investigation. Brain scans or Brain Imaging techniques
like PET scan, MRIs, CT scan, etc provide a clear view on the functioning of the human
brain to the scientists or the investigators. Behavioural Neuroscience has excellent

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contributions towards treating various kinds of mental or neurological disorders, even
those which fall within the purview of clinical psychology. Neuropsychologists play the role
of medical practitioners who scientifically investigate brain injuries and various mental
disorders for providing the required medical attention and support.

History

Biopsychology as a specialized discipline gained its importance during 18th and

19th centuries. Eminent philosopher Rene Descartes propounded the physical model for
explaining the behaviour of animals and humans. According to him, the Pineal gland
which exists in the brain of many organisms is the point of connection between body and
brain. Descartes was also responsible for introducing the concept of reflexes which led to
muscle responses, though this was later denied by the researchers with an argument that
spinal cord is responsible for muscular responses. William James in his works “The
Principles of Psychology”, 1890, tried to highlight that the study of psychology should
be aligned with an understanding of the biological parameters. Knight Dunlap first coined
the term “psychobiology” in his work “An Outline of Psychobiology” in 1914. In a
nutshell, the philosophers were engaged in understanding the relationship between the
physical and mental worlds.

Ever since 18th and 19th centuries, the researchers have contributed some
important research findings which explain the functioning of human brain and unveiled
crucial findings on neurons, functioning of the nervous system and neuro-transmitters. A
bio-psychologist will be mainly interested in studying three crucial biological components
that is the brain, the central nervous system and neuro-transmitters.

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Relevance of Biological Perspective in Psychology

One of the major perspectives in psychology is biological perspective, which involves the
study of brain, genetics, immune system and also the nervous system. Various schools of
thought in psychology since very long have centred around a debate on nurture versus
nature. The school of thought which supports the nurture aspect of the debate strongly
hold that the environment plays a crucial role in moulding or influencing behaviour. While,
those who support the nature facet believe that the biological factors influence human
behaviour.

Psychology and Physiology relationship has been under investigation since many years
ago. It was Charles Darwin who introduced the idea that genes and evolution influence
behaviour. The biological perspective analyzes human issues and actions. Let’s consider
the example of aggression and how different perspectives interpret aggression. The
psychoanalytic perspective might view aggression as an outcome of early childhood
experience or unconscious desires. The behavioural perspective may look at aggression as
a behavioural pattern which is moulded by way of association, punishment and
reinforcements. Social perspective on the other hand, views group pressures or social
forces as the major influencers of human behaviour. Biological perspective, will try to
analyze the biological factors or the roots which may lead to an aggressive behaviour,
which may equally involve considering the brain injury or genetic factors which can be the
major contributors for demonstration of aggressive behaviour.

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Areas of interest for the bio psychologists are:

 Understanding how traumatic conditions of the brain will have its influence on the
behavioural patterns.
 Investigating how degenerative diseases of the brain will impact the way the people
act.
 Analyzing the link between genetic factors and aggressive behaviour; studying how
mental disorders can be an outcome of damage to the brain.
 Studying the similarities and dissimilarities amongst twins for determining which
characteristics are an outcome of genetic factors and the characteristics which are
an outcome of environmental factors.

Definition of the Biological Perspective

Charles Darwin first proposed the idea that genetics and evolution both contribute
to many human qualities including personality. Biology is defined as the study of life while
psychology examines the human mind and its processes, especially those affecting
behavior. Biological perspective links biology and psychology by focusing on the analysis
of human behavior based on biological and physical evidence.

The Biological Perspective seeks to determine the psychological aspects of human

behavior looking at evidence from genetic and neurological studies as well as studies of
the immune system. Also known as biopsychology, it has played a major role in psychology
from the beginning.

Technology for studying the nervous system and brain has grown tremendously
advanced with access to tools such as PET and MRI scans making the biological

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perspective in psychology increasingly important. The biological perspective is relevant to
psychology through three areas of investigation.

1. Comparative method:
 By studying different animal species, their behavior under similar stimuli can be
compared to human data enhancing the understanding of human behaviors.
2. Physiology:
 Investigates how the nervous system and hormones work
 Determines how the brain functions
 Determines how changes in structure and function of these systems may affect
behavior
3. Inheritance:
 Investigates which traits are inherited by offspring from their parents
 Investigates the mechanism of inheritance of traits in animals

At the foundation of biological perspective is the theory that physiological changes

directly affect an individual's behavior. It is thought by many supporters of this perspective
that behavioral changes occur at the genetic level and are the direct result of evolutionary
changes brought about by adaptations in some organisms that give them a survival
advantage.

Many biopsychologists have concentrated on abnormal behavior and have tried to

explain it in physiological terms. For example, they believe that schizophrenia is affected
by levels of dopamine (a neurotransmitter).

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Basic Assumptions of Biological Perspective
 Behavior is determined by biology.
 There is a genetic basis to all behaviors.
 Most behavior has an adaptive or evolutionary function.
 Behaviors have their origins in specific locations of the brain.
 In order to understand human behavior, it is necessary to include animal studies.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Biological Perspective
Strengths:
 By understanding the physiological basis of behavior, it is possible to treat behavior
disorders with chemotherapy (drug intervention), or psychosurgery (more
sophisticated versions of the lobotomy using MRI scans)
 Using evolutionary theory allows the development of rational explanations for
otherwise unexplainable behaviors.
 Weaknesses:
 It does not leave room for the effect of environmental influences and life experiences
on behavior.
 It weakly explains altruism.
 It is reductionistic as it only looks at one cause – the physiological cause– of behavior
or mental disorders, thus, simplifying the disease.
Theories Leading to the Development of Biological Perspective
There are four main theories which contributed to the development of the biological
perspective of psychology.
1. Dualism:
 A theory developed by Descartes.
 He determined that although the body and mind are separate, they do interact
through the brain's pineal gland.
 This theory has been disregarded by many psychologists.
2. Materialism:
 This theory assumes a physical aspect to all behavior.
 It is based on animal and human genetics studies suggesting genes evolved over
long periods of time.
3. Heredity:
 This theory assumes that behavioral traits result from the passing on of
characteristics through gene transfer from one generation to the next.

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4. Natural Selection:
 This theory was developed by Charles Darwin who proposed the idea that random
variations in organisms led to better reproductive success ensuring the passing on
of these traits to subsequent generations.
 The development of these theories required a unifying perspective explaining the
connection between psychology and physiology. Almost every human behavior and
mood is analysed by the biological perspective for its physiological origin. Criminal
behavior, depression, happiness, and personality disorders have been studied
extensively by this perspective.
 Happiness is thought to be due to the quality of experience offered by our nervous
system. A person's personality will determine his/her perception of the experience.
 Depression results from a traumatic situation which alters a person's nervous
system leading to the secretion or inhibition of secretion of specific
neurotransmitters.
 Criminal behavior: It was widely held by biopsychologists that criminal behavior
was due largely to heredity and many were in favor of eugenics, a means, they
thought, to improve the human species through compulsory sterilization of
criminals, the mentally retarded, and others thought to be social misfits due to the
inheritance of undesirable traits.
 The biological perspective of psychology is still a strongly explored area of study
especially with advances in technology including sophisticated scanning tools that
allow an ever deeper examination of human physiology.

Resources Used
Bhondwe, Ashlesha. Buzzle. Biological Perspective. January 17, 2011
Cherry, Kendra. About.com Psychology. What is the Biological Perspective? 2012
Genevieve. Genevieve's Biological Perspective Page.
McLeod, Saul. Simply Psychology. Psychology Perspectives. 2007.

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