(UNIT II)

BIOLOGY &
BEHAVIOR
Ashfaq Ahmad Sahil
Lecturer INS (KMU)
Objectives
At the end of this unit learners will be able to:
• Discuss biological influences on behavior
• Discuss how heredity and environment interact
to produce the development of
behavior.
• Discuss research methods used in behavior genetic
research.
Nature versus
Nurture.
• One of the major debates in psychology has long
centered over the relative contributions of
nature versus nurture.

• Those who take up the nurture side of the debate

suggest that it is the environment that plays the
greatest role in shaping behavior.

• The biological perspective tends to stress

the importance of nature.
 Biological influences on
•behavior
The study of physiology and biological processes
has played a significant role in psychology since
its earliest beginnings.
• It was Charles Darwin who first introduced the
idea that evolution and genetics play a role in
human behavior.
• Natural selection influences whether certain
behavior patterns are passed down to future
generations.
• Behaviors that aid in survival are more likely to be
passed down while those that prove dangerous
are less likely to be inherited.
 Biological influences on
•behavior
Based on the assumption of Materialism i.e., all
behavior has a physiological basis.

• Physical structures and hereditary processes

determine behavior or behavior potential.

• Physical/physiological interventions can alter

mental processes and behavior.

• Root cause of abnormalities and disorders lies in

biology and requires medical intervention.
Biological Psychologists Interested
in…….
• Analyzing how trauma to the brain influences behaviors
• Investigating how degenerative brain diseases impact
how people act.
• Exploring how genetic factors influence such things as
aggression.
• Studying how genetics and brain damage are linked to
mental disorders.
• Assessing the differences and similarities in twins to
determine which characteristics are tied to genetics and
which are linked to environmental influences.
Theories in biological
model
Biochemical theory:
• Very small amounts of certain chemicals in the body can
cause profound changes in behavior as proved by
researches.

Diathesis-Stress Theory
• Predisposition i.e., diathesis (including genes) and stressful
environment combine together to cause abnormal
behavior.
• Traits are influenced by genes and by environment
Focus of
Study
Neurotransmitters
• The synapse of the neuron releases special
chemicals “neurotransmitters”
• Existence of neurotransmitters has been known
since 1920’s; but the evidence of their relationship
• with psychological disorders has been found
and known since 1950s.
• More than 50 neurotransmitters exist in human
body.
Neurotransmitters and Their
Role
• Acetylcholine: Learning, Memory and Muscle control
• Dopamine: Motor activity, Coordination, Emotion and
Memory
• Epinephrine: Emotion, Stress
• GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid): Anxiety, Arousal,
Learning
• Serotonin: Sensory Processing, Sleep, Arousal
• Glutamate: Anxiety, Mood
Focus of study cont.
…..
Endocrine Glands
• These glands form the body’s “slow” chemical
communication system; a set of ductless glands that
secrete hormones (special chemicals) into the
bloodstream”.
• Low secretions of the thyroid produce anxiety like
symptoms such as irritability and tension
• Low level of pituitary secretions produces depression like
symptoms—Fatigue, apathy etc.
• Abnormal secretions of hormones may cause major
depression
Heredit
y• Every human being is born as a result of conception
which takes place due to certain biological Factors and
process.
• The child carries with himself several physiological and
psychological uniqueness that are present in the parents.
• In fact it is the heredity that determines structure,
complexion, structure of hair, height. Facial features nasal
index etc. of the child.
• Thus different types of the genes help in the formation of
a body.
Basics of
Genetics
Gene - basic unit of heredity; codes for a specific
trait.
Locus - the specific location of a gene on a
chromosome (plural loci).
Chromosome - elongated cellular structure
composed of DNA and protein; they are the
vehicles which carry DNA in cells.
Environment
• Environment is nothing but the sum total of
the surroundings in which an individual has to
live.

• Psychologically an individual’s environment is

related to all those stimuli which he faces from
the moment of fertilization till death.
Role of heredity and environment in
the development of behavior
• The individual’s personality is the product of both heredity
and environment.
• In some cases heredity may overpower development and
in certain other cases environment may very strongly
influence growth and development.
• It is because of this difference, individuals differ in
physique, character and other personality traits.
• A Child’s development represent the interaction of
Heredity and Environment.
• Heredity determines the potential of child, while the
Environment influences the extent to which that potential
is achieved.
Cont.…..
• Both heredity and environment have their share
in molding the life and personality of the
individual.
• Heredity is responsible for all the inborn traits, the
instincts, emotions, I.Q., reflex action and
physical traits.
• Environment is responsible for the growth and
development of the physical, mental and social
traits.
• The two forces heredity and environment are not
opposed to each other, but are complementary like
seed and soil.
Cont.….
• The heredity is the raw material out of which the
object is to be prepared, and environment in the
technique and other material for the manufacture.
• Two individuals of the same heredity might differ
when put in dissimilar environments
• Again two individuals of differing heredity would
probably differ in spite of identical environments.
• So we can predict that if we change either factor, the
product is changed.
Twin
studies
• Twin studies
compare similarities between different types of twins
to determine the genetic basis of specific traits.

• Monozygotic twins, also called identical twins, are the

result of one zygote dividing into two, each having the
same chromosomes and the genes they contain.

• Dizygotic twins, sometimes called fraternal or

nonidentical twins, are the result of two separately
fertilized eggs and are no more related than any other pair
of siblings.
Behavior
• Identical Twins
Genetics
Identical
twins
Fraternal
twins
• develop from a single
zygote (fertilized egg)
that splits in two, creating
two genetic replicas
• Fraternal Twins
• develop from separate
zygotes
• genetically no closer than
brothers and sisters, but
they share the fetal
environment
Same Same or
sex only opposite sex
Exampl
eIdentical
• twins look exactly the same because each twin shares the same
genes as their identical sibling. Why?
• When a mother is pregnant, the fertilized egg holds the mixture of genes
from both the mother and father.
• Occasionally this fertilized egg splits into two eggs with the exact same
mixture of genes.
• This results in two identical people who are similar to one another in
the
way they look and behave.
• Genes can carry instructions that can make it more likely for you to
develop certain illnesses or conditions.
• For example, Jennifer and Karen both have genes associated
with obesity. Their genes could tell their body to:
 increase the size of their fat cells or dictate how they use fat in their
body
 release chemicals (like hormones) which control hunger and
appetite
 influence behavior as Jennifer and Karen interact with their environment.
For example, if Karen begins to gain weight, she may seek out fewer
opportunities to exercise because going to the gym makes her feel
How do your life experiences
influence your genes?
• Suppose Jennifer is raised by wealthy parents who have
access to the best, healthiest foods.
• Her parents cook nutritious meals like vegetable risotto
and lentil soup and limit the amount of sugar, salt, and fat
their daughter consumes.
• Jennifer learns to love fruits and vegetables, and doesn’t
crave excessively salty or sweet foods.
• Her parents have a significant amount of time to play with
her and teach her to live an active lifestyle.
• By eating nutritious foods and staying physically active,
the genes increasing her chance of developing obesity
are not expressed and she never develops obesity.
Cont.…….
• Karen however is raised by low-income parents who live
in an area where fresh, healthy food is scarce and
expensive.
• Because her parents can’t afford fruits and vegetables,
Karen eats a lot of frozen, packaged meals and fast food,
which are higher in sugar, fat, and salt.
• Her parents both work multiple jobs, and Karen spends
her time alone in front of the television.
• Karen’s eating and physical activity habits enhance the
expression of her genes for obesity.
Research methods used in behavior
genetic research

STUDENTS ACTIVITY