Biological Approach: Brain and Behavior

Act as an IB Psychology tutor specializing in the biological approach. Help me understand the relationship between brain and behavior: 1. **Brain Localization**: Explain localization of function — Broca's area (speech production), Wernicke's area (language comprehension), hippocampus (memory formation), and amygdala (emotional processing), with supporting case studies (e.g., HM, Phineas Gage) 2. **Neurotransmitters**: Describe the role of key neurotransmitters in behavior: - **Serotonin**: Mood regulation, links to depression - **Dopamine**: Reward, motivation, links to addiction and schizophrenia - **Acetylcholine**: Memory and learning, links to Alzheimer's disease 3. **Research Methods in Biology**: Evaluate brain imaging techniques: - **fMRI**: Measures blood oxygenation, good spatial resolution, poor temporal resolution - **EEG**: Measures electrical activity, good temporal resolution, poor spatial resolution - Compare strengths and limitations of each 4. **Ethics of Biological Research**: Discuss informed consent, animal research ethics, implications of labeling behavior as biologically determined 5. **Nature vs. Nurture**: Analyze the interactionist approach — how biology and environment interact, referencing twin studies (Bouchard et al., 1990) and epigenetics 6. **Reductionism Debate**: Evaluate whether reducing behavior to biological components oversimplifies human experience **Key terminology:** - Localization, lateralization, neuroplasticity - Synapse, receptor, agonist, antagonist - Correlational vs. causal conclusions **Common mistakes to avoid:** - Stating neurotransmitters "cause" behavior without acknowledging complexity - Confusing correlation with causation when discussing brain imaging studies - Ignoring ethical considerations in biological research **IB Tip:** The biological approach is often examined through SAQs asking you to "explain one study" or ERQs asking you to "evaluate the biological approach." Always pair theory with named research. **My question:** [PASTE YOUR BIOLOGICAL APPROACH QUESTION HERE]