Physiological Psychology & Neuroscience

Physiological psychology and behavioural neuroscience study the biological bases of behaviour and mental processes — the nervous system, brain, and their relation to mind.

Scope

It covers neural mechanisms of learning and memory, motivation and reward, sensation, and brain-behaviour relationships, including neuropsychology.

Sub-topics

• Genetics
• Neuropsychology & Neurology
• Electrophysiology
• Physiological Processes
• Psychophysiology
• Psychopharmacology

Core questions

• How does the brain produce behaviour and experience?
• What are the neural bases of learning and memory?
• How is motivation represented in the brain?
• How do brain systems specialize?

Key concepts

• Neural plasticity
• Hebbian learning
• Reward systems
• Hemispheric specialization
• Neurotransmission
• Brain-behaviour relations

Key theories

Hebbian learning

Hebb proposed that co-active neurons strengthen their connections ('cells that fire together wire together'), a foundation of neural plasticity.

Brain reward systems

Olds and Milner discovered reward centres via electrical self-stimulation, founding the neuroscience of reinforcement.

Hemispheric specialization

Sperry's split-brain work revealed the differing functions of the cerebral hemispheres.

History

From Hebb's neuropsychological theory (1949) through the discovery of brain reward systems and split-brain studies, physiological psychology grew into modern behavioural and cognitive neuroscience.

Debates

Localization versus distributed function

How far psychological functions are localized to brain regions versus distributed across networks.

Key figures

• Donald Hebb
• James Olds
• Roger Sperry

Seminal works

• hebb-1949
• olds-milner-1954
• sperry-1961

Frequently asked questions

What is Hebbian learning?

The principle that the connection between two neurons strengthens when they are activated together — a basis for learning and memory in the brain.