{"id":4495,"date":"2018-10-07T01:17:43","date_gmt":"2018-10-07T05:17:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/?p=4495"},"modified":"2018-10-07T01:44:52","modified_gmt":"2018-10-07T05:44:52","slug":"the-biological-approach-to-behaviour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/biological-basis-of-behaviour\/the-biological-approach-to-behaviour\/","title":{"rendered":"The Biological Approach to behaviour"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gottfried Leibniz \uf0e0 \u201cWhy is there something rather than nothing\u201d<\/p>\n

\uf0b7 Mind-body problem (mind-brain problem)<\/h3>\n
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If universe is composed of matter and energy, how is there consciousness? How did brain activity become conscious? What is the relationship between mental experience and brain activity?<\/li>\n
Consciousness as fundamental property<\/strong>: can\u2019t be reduced to something else<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\uf0b7 Biological psychology<\/h3>\n
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study of physiological, evolutionary and developmental mechanisms of behaviour and experience; relate biology to psychology. Think\/act as we do because brain mechanisms survived and reproduced better than animals with other mechanisms<\/li>\n
Biological psychology concerns brain functioning; two kinds of cells:\n
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ieurons<\/strong>: convey messages to one another and to muscles\/glands<\/li>\n
Glia<\/strong>: smaller; functions without message transmission Biological Explanations of Behaviour <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
Explanations refer to intentional goals, don\u2019t always know reasons for their own behaviours<\/li>\n
Biological explanations of behaviour 4 categories:\n
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Physiological<\/strong>: relates behaviour to brain activity and other organs; deals with machinery of the body<\/li>\n
Ontogenic<\/strong>: how a structure of behaviour develops, influence of: genes, nutrition, experiences, interactions<\/li>\n
Evolutionary<\/strong>: reconstructs evolutionary history of a structure\/behaviour; characteristics of animals are modifications found in ancestral species.<\/li>\n
Functional<\/strong>: describes why a structure\/behaviour evolved as it did. A gene that is prevalent in a large population provides some advantage; gene can spread through process called genetic drift<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
GEiETICS AiD BEHAVIOUR\u00a0 Mendellian Genetics <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n
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Before 19^{th<\/sup> C, scientists thought inheritance occurred by a blending of the sperm and egg<\/li>\n}
Gregor Mendel:<\/strong> inheritance occurs through genes<\/strong> (units of heredity, maintain structural identity from one generation to another)<\/li>\n
Genes come in pairs because aligned along chromosomes <\/strong>(strands of genes). Gene is part of chromosome, composed of Some genes overlap between chromosomes, other outcome depends on 2+ genes.<\/li>\n
DNA serves as template for RiA<\/strong>, single stranded molecule, that codes for protein<\/li>\n
DNA contains 4 bases \u2013 A, G, C, T; order of bases determines order of bases along an RNA molecule, which determines amino acids that compose a protein.<\/li>\n
Proteins consist of 20 amino acids.<\/li>\n
Some proteins part of body structures, others enzymes<\/strong> (biological catalyzes that regulates chemical rxns in body)<\/li>\n
Homozygous<\/strong>: identical pair of genes on 2 chromosomes<\/li>\n
Heterozygous<\/strong>: unmatched pair of genes<\/li>\n
Dominant<\/strong>: strong effect in a homozygous or heterozygous<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\uf0b7 Recessive: effects only in homozygous conditions <\/em>Sex-Linked and Sex-Limited Genes \uf0b7 Sex-linked genes<\/h3>\n
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Present in both sexes, genes on sex chromosomes (X and Y), all other chromosomes are autosomal chromosomes<\/strong><\/li>\n
Females (two X chromosomes); Males (X and Y chromosome)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\uf0b7 Sex-limited genes<\/h3>\n
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Present in both sexes, generally on autosomal chromosomes, but active mainly in one sex (sex hormones activate in one sex or other) Genetic Changes<\/strong><\/li>\n
Genes change in several ways<\/li>\n
Mutation<\/strong>: heritable change in a DNA molecule. Evolution selected best makeup of every gene, new mutation is rarely advantageous<\/li>\n
Duplication\/deletion<\/strong>: part of a chromosome that should appear once, appears twice or not at all o When this happens to just a tiny portion of a chromosome, it\u2019s called microduplication or microdeletion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\uf0a7 Can be a possible explanation of schizophrenia<\/p>\n
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Epigenetics<\/strong>: changes in gene expression without modification of DNA sequence; certain genes active in certain types of cells, or only at a particular time of life<\/li>\n
Various experiences can also turn a gene on or off<\/li>\n
Changes in gene expression are also central to learning and memory and to brain changes resulting from drug addiction<\/li>\n
Epigenetics is new, growing field that will play increasingly important role in our understanding of behavior<\/li>\n
An experience can modify gene expression; proteins called histones bind DNA into a shape that\u2019s like a string around a ball; the loose ends allow chemical groups to attach. To activate a gene, the DNA must partially unwind from the histones.<\/li>\n
Result of experience \uf0e0 new proteins into cells\/alter chemical environment<\/li>\n
Removal of acetyl group causes histone to tighten grip on DNA \uf0e0 turns gene off<\/li>\n
Adding methyl group to promotes \uf0e0 turns genes off; removing them \uf0e0 turns gene on<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0Heredity and Environment<\/h2>\n
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To determine contributions of heredity and environment, rely on:<\/li>\n
Monozygotic<\/strong>: from one egg (identical twins) \uf0e0 same gene<\/li>\n
Dizygotic<\/strong>: from two eggs (twins) \uf0e0 not same gene<\/li>\n
Adopted children<\/strong>: if children resemble their biological parents, there is high heritability. If children are similar to adopted parents, any similarity is due to environmental influences.<\/li>\n
Virtual twins<\/strong>: children of the same age, adopted at the same time into a single family; grow up in same environment from infancy, but without any genetic similarity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\uf0b7 Genes linked to a behaviour<\/h3>\n
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Evidence for heritability for almost every behaviour; estimate of heritability for a trait is specific to the population<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Environmental Modification: <\/strong>a trait with high heritability can be modified by environmental interventions; the effect of a gene depends on the person\u2019s environment<\/p>\n
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How genes affect behaviour:<\/strong> hard to explain how gene increases probability for given behaviour; some directly control brain chemicals, others have indirect affect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0The Evolution of Behaviour<\/h2>\n
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Evolution<\/strong>: change over generations in the frequencies of various genes in a population<\/li>\n
Any change in gene frequencies<\/li>\n
Do species evolve? Offspring resemble parents; recombination\u2019s, microduplications, and mutations introduce new heritable variations that help or harm chance of survival; certain individuals reproduce more successfully then others, so the new generations will more closely resemble them.<\/li>\n
Artificial selection<\/strong>: choose individuals with desired trait, make them parents to the next generation.<\/li>\n
Charles Darwin \uf0e0 nature also selects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Common misunderstandings about evolution<\/h3>\n
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Failing to use some body structure doesn\u2019t change the genes<\/li>\n
Lamarckian Evolution<\/strong>: inheritance of acquired characteristics; evidence not found for theory<\/li>\n
Evolution depends on reproduction, not just survival<\/li>\n
Evolution doesn\u2019t mean improvement; fitness<\/strong> means number of genes that survive to the next generation \u2013 this can be positive and one point, but negative in the future<\/li>\n
Genes of current generation evolved because they were fit for previous generations<\/li>\n
Evolution doesn\u2019t benefit the individual, it benefits the genes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Evolutionary Psychology<\/h3>\n
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How behaviours evolved<\/li>\n
Presumed genes of ancestors and why natural selection might favour genes that promote certain behaviours<\/li>\n
Assume any behaviour arose through natural selection and provided some advantage.<\/li>\n
BUT some characteristics of species have less relationship to natural selection<\/li>\n
Altruistic behaviour<\/strong>: action that benefits someone else; help other individuals spread genes<\/li>\n
Common among humans, less in animal world; may cost little, but still has cost & altruistic behaviour may benefit species, but not gene in the individual.<\/li>\n
Group selection<\/strong>: altruistic groups survive better \uf0e0 but this is unstable<\/li>\n
Kin selection<\/strong>: select for a gene that benefits the individual\u2019s relatives \uf0b7 Helpful behaviour is more common towards relatives<\/li>\n
Reciprocal altruism<\/strong>: individuals help those that will return the favour<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
THE USE OF AiIMALS Ii RESEARCH <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n
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Debate about the use of animals in research<\/li>\n
Research on animals is responsible for a lot of knowledge on brain and behaviour but we want to minimize animal distress Reasons for Animal Research <\/u><\/strong>\uf0b7 Study non-humans:\n
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Underlying mechanisms of behaviour similar across species, easier to study o Brains and behavior of nonhuman vertebrates resemble those of humans in chemistry and anatomy<\/li>\n
Interested in animals for own sakeo Wider variety of species, relating behaviors of each animal<\/li>\n
What is learnt about animals sheds light on human evolution o Comparing species<\/li>\n
Legal or ethical restrictions prevent certain types of research on humanso If research unacceptable with humans, is it also unacceptable with other species? The Ethical Debate <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
In some cases, researchers just observe animals. in others, animals are subject to brain damage, injections that aren\u2019t for their own benefit<\/li>\n
In many areas, there wouldn\u2019t be as much advancement without animal research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Degrees of Opposition \uf0b7 \u201cMinimalists\u201d<\/h3>\n
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Tolerate some animal research but not others, depends on value of research, amount of distress to animal, type of animal<\/li>\n
Favour firm research regulations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
Legal Standard Emphasizes:<\/p>\n
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Reduce animal numbers<\/li>\n
Replace animals with substitutes (using computers)<\/li>\n
Modify procedures to reduce pain\/discomfort<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\uf0b7 Every institution that performs animal research must have committee to evaluate proposed experiments, suggests changes, ensure there are standards of cleanliness and animal care<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 \u201cAbolitionists\u201d<\/h3>\n
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Animals have same rights as humans; killing is murder, animals in cages are slaves. humans have no rights to use animals for research, even if useful<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Because animals can\u2019t give informed consent, abolitionists insist it\u2019s wrong to use them regardless of circumstances
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Gottfried Leibniz \uf0e0 \u201cWhy is there something rather than nothing\u201d \uf0b7 Mind-body problem (mind-brain problem) If universe is composed of matter and energy, how is there consciousness? How did… Continue Reading The Biological Approach to behaviour<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[114],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4495"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4495"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4495\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}