In this video I describe the stress response in more detail, including possible gender differences in reaction to threats. Shelley Taylor proposed the tend–and–befriend response to refer to a female tendency to focus on relationships, empathy, and group cohesion in response to threats. Next I describe how the stress response … Read More
Prenatal Development
In this video I discuss prenatal development from conception until birth. This can be divided into the germinal stage, embryonic stage, and fetal stage. Conception occurs when a sperm cell and egg cell join to create a zygote, which then travels down the fallopian tube and attaches to the uterus. … Read More
Understanding Obesity
In this video I consider evolutionary explanations for the modern struggle with obesity. I describe how obesity is defined using the calculation of body mass index or BMI and consider potential problems with this simple calculation. I also discuss set point theory, energy expenditure, and the Dutch Hunger Winter of … Read More
Emotional Regulation
In this video I discuss the role of the cortex, particularly the frontal lobes, in emotional experience. Cortical involvement in emotions means that we can use cognitive and behavioral strategies in how we respond to emotional stimuli and how we regulate our own emotions. This involvement may also lead us … Read More
Emotion Pathways in the Brain
In this video I describe the two pathways leading to the emotion processing areas of the brain described in the previous video. The fast pathway (or low road) goes to the amygdalae and allows for a quick and dirty emotional response to stimuli. The slow pathway (or high road) involves … Read More
Emotions in the Brain
In this video I describe two early studies looking at the role of brain structures in emotion processing; work by Heinrich Kluver & Paul Bucy, and James Olds & Peter Milner. These studies helped to identify the role of structures in the limbic system (the hypothalamus and amygdala) which are … Read More
How Are Psychoactive Drugs Classified?
In this video I describe the 3 main classifications of psychoactive drugs: stimulants, depressants (including narcotics), and hallucinogens. I provide several examples of each drug type, the associated effects on the nervous system, and the relationship to concepts of neuroadaptation, withdrawal, tolerance, and overdose. Don’t forget to subscribe to the … Read More
Biological Bases of Behavior Practice Questions
The following video includes 10 practice multiple choice questions related to biological bases of behavior in psychology. I hope that these can help you to test and assess your own knowledge and provide practice retrieving the terms, ideas, and concepts that you’ve learned. You can also find a PDF with … Read More
The Brain, Genetics, & Evolution Knowledge Organizer
Here’s a knowledge organizer I’ve created of the most essential terms for areas of the brain and concepts of genetics and evolution in an introductory psychology course. These knowledge organizers are designed to help you identify the most important factual knowledge you need to have in order to engage in … Read More
Neurons & The Nervous System Knowledge Organizer
Here’s a knowledge organizer I’ve created of the most essential concepts for neurons and the structure of the nervous system in an introductory psychology course. These knowledge organizers are designed to help you identify the most important factual knowledge you need to have in order to engage in the more … Read More