Psychology Assignment - Biological and Psychological Determinants
Added on 2020-05-11
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Running head: BIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIOR Biological determinants of behaviourName of the StudentName of the UniversityAuthor note
1BIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIORIntroductionBiological psychology is the branch of psychology that deals with the study of genetic,psychological and developmental mechanisms in human behaviour. Behaviour is affected byvarious biological factors that arise from genetic makeup and physical environment. Thebiological approach to behaviour is a consequence of genetics as well as physiology. Thisapproach in psychology examine the feelings, thoughts and behaviour from a biologicalperspective and hence, physical point of view (Gross, 2015). Various factors affect the body,feelings and thoughts like stress, psychological disorders, and memory and sleep patterns in turninfluencing behaviour. These health conditions mediate the behavioural responses as thebiological perspective focuses on the physical side of the human nature. Therefore, the followingdiscussion involves the various determinants of behaviour, the effect of stress and psychologicaldisorders on behaviour, reductionist approach through press articles and how knowledge ofunderpinning psychobiological factors lead to happier and more fulfilling lives. DiscussionFrom a psychologicalpoint of view, neurotransmitters process information throughchemical messengers that flow to brain plays an important role in human behaviour, feeling,learning and sleep patterns. The physiology and working of nervous system and hormones, brainfunctioning, structure changes and function affect behaviour (Hnasko & Edwards, 2012). Theneurotransmitters in the form of chemicals transmit messages from one nerve cell to another. Theinhibitory and excitatory types that make nerve impulse travel from one nerve to another.Excitatory type neurotransmitters like glutamate stimulate the brain, and inhibitory types createbalance and calm the brain-balancing mood. Among the neurotransmitters, epinephrine is
2BIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIORreflective of stress excitatory that is elevated in long-term periods of stress making its level lowor depleted. In today’s world, stress has become a normal part of human life that affect behaviourmaking people react and adjust to experienced stress (Butcher, Hooley & Mineka, 2015). When aperson experiences stress, they feel nervous or frustrated, and stress hormones are releasedtriggering the flight or fight response. The stress hormone, cortisol and adrenaline are released byadrenal glands that increase the heart rate and affect behaviour that can result in socialwithdrawal, drug or alcohol abuse or eating disorders. Stress also influences the cognitiveprocesses related to the elevated cortisol levels, in turn, influencing brain functioning. There isinterference with judgment skills that make people make wrong decisions. People also finddifficulty in handling situations that make them feel threatened. Stress also makes peopledistracted, as they are unable to concentrate and leave them frustrated, anxious or angry. Thisresult in social exclusion as they feel rejected, unable to interact with others and feel stressed.Stressed individuals may try to avoid difficult situations and withdraw from the outside world.Their confidence and self-esteem are affected, become fragile, and they are no longer able todeal with social situations that lead to withdrawal (Liu & Miller, 2014). To cope with stressfulsituations, such people get addicted to smoking, alcohol, drugs and unhealthy eating habits. Theyget highly addicted and fail in resolving stressful situations. There is sudden development ofrisk-taking behaviour that shows that individual is suffering from stress. Behaviours like recklessdriving that are prone to accidents are manifested in individuals who suffer from stress. Suicidalbehaviour or talks are also witnessed in people suffering from stress as they experience low self-worth and self-esteem and feel helpless. Therefore, the above discussion explains that stressaffects behaviour that interferes with the daily life activities.
3BIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIORApart from stress, psychological disorders also affect behaviour. The disorders like mooddisorders, PSTD, anxiety disorders affect behaviour where the individual experience anuncomfortable feeling of dread or fear. In this, the thinking pattern of a person is affected due todepressive thoughts. There is also low mood and feelings of worthlessness that are characterizedby delusions, hallucinations, illogical thoughts and unusual behaviour. There is a major changein behaviour or personality that can result in disorganized behaviour or speech, mood extremitieslike depression, delirium or confusion (Turecki & Brent, 2016). There is a disorganizedbehaviour where a person behaves abnormally and experience trouble in performing the dailyactivities. The psychological disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or PSTDaffect brain that induces self-harming or suicidal behaviour. They cannot make life decisions andhave difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. For example, in bipolar disorder, peopleexperience irritability or elation, talkativeness, racing of thought, difficulty in sleeping and lackof energy. There are episodes of abnormal behaviour that create confusion or staring affectingbehaviour in people suffering from psychological disorders. In PSTD, there is delayed reactionto a traumatic event that is accompanied by intense emotions, nightmares or flashbacks. Peopleexperience anxious thoughts that make them restless, decreased sleep and stress. Similarly,depression affects behaviour where a person experiences feelings of hopelessness andabandonment. There is reduced appetite or weight gain, irritability or agitation, thoughts ofsuicide or death and difficulty in concentrating or making important decisions. This shows thatpsychological disorders also affect behaviour being a behavioural determinant and quality of life(Armour, Műllerová & Elhai, 2016). In recent times, many articles published in press talk about the unusual behaviour thatpeople exhibit due to stress and psychological disorders. In an article published in Business
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