Biopsychology: The Basics is a concise, accessible and illuminating introduction to the field of biopsychology.
The book explores what psychology is in the broadest sense and how combining it with a biological perspective offers a deeper understanding of behavior and mental life. Key topics include:
• What biopsychology is: understanding the interaction of biology and psychology.
• The biology of the brain and how to study it.
• How psychological states are related to physiological processes.
• The effects of drugs, both therapeutic and recreational, on behaviour and psychology.
• How genes and the environment impact psychological development.
• The biopsychology of cognition
• People in the world: understanding emotions, motivation and communication.
• The biological basis of psychopathologies – causes, diagnoses and treatments.
• Explanations, mechanisms and the biopsychology of consciousness.
With suggestions for further reading and an extensive glossary of key terms, this book is an engaging and ideal introduction for those coming to the subject for the first time.
Acknowledgements
Introduction – what is biopsychology?
1. The brain and how to get at it
2. Physiology for psychologists
3. The chemistry of the brain – psychopharmacology
4. Development
5. Cognition
6. Emotions, Motivation and Communication
7. Psychopathologies
8. Overall, what does biopsychology offer?
Glossary
Further Reading
References
Biography
Philip Winn is Emeritus Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, UK.
Madeleine Grealy is Professor of Psychology at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, UK.
