Which branch studies the biological bases of behavior including the brain, nervous system, hormones, and genetics?

Which branch studies the biological bases of behavior including the brain, nervous system, hormones, and genetics?

• A. Physiological Psychology
• B. Behavioral Psychology
• C. Cognitive Psychology
• D. Social Psychology

Answer: (A)

Understanding how biology shapes behavior is what this field explores. Physiological psychology, also called biopsychology or behavioral neuroscience, studies how brain structures and neural activity, the nervous system, hormones, and genetics influence thoughts, emotions, and actions. For example, it looks at how dopamine pathways in the brain contribute to reward and motivation, how the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis shapes stress responses, and how genetic variations can affect temperament or vulnerability to certain disorders. This biological focus sets it apart from other branches: behavioral psychology emphasizes observable actions and learning, cognitive psychology examines internal mental processes, and social psychology explores how others and social contexts influence behavior. So the study of the biological bases of behavior is physiological psychology.

Understanding how biology shapes behavior is what this field explores. Physiological psychology, also called biopsychology or behavioral neuroscience, studies how brain structures and neural activity, the nervous system, hormones, and genetics influence thoughts, emotions, and actions. For example, it looks at how dopamine pathways in the brain contribute to reward and motivation, how the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis shapes stress responses, and how genetic variations can affect temperament or vulnerability to certain disorders. This biological focus sets it apart from other branches: behavioral psychology emphasizes observable actions and learning, cognitive psychology examines internal mental processes, and social psychology explores how others and social contexts influence behavior. So the study of the biological bases of behavior is physiological psychology.