Biological Principles

  • Behavior is biologically determined by physiological processes such as the nervous system neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin) and the endocrine system (hormones e.g. adrenalin increases heart rate and fight or flight response)
    • "All that is psychological is first physiological" (Sperry)
  • Patterns of behavior can be inherited through genetics
    • Some patterns of behavior may be a result of natural selection
  • The study of animals can inform our understanding of human behavior
    • Psychologists use rats and monkeys for a lot of research but the results cannot always be generalized to humans

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