Psychological Perspectives –The Psychobiological Perspective

In this series on psychological perspectives, we continue our journey in this article by exploring the psychobiological perspective.

In the later part of the 20th century, there were a lot of advancements in the field of neurobiology which influenced our understanding of the human brain. Today, we know about the complex structure of the brain, about the interrelationships between these structures that makes the brain work, and about the electrochemical communication between the neurons within the human brain.

Earlier, it was very difficult for scientists to study the inner workings of the brain because they did not have access to methods and technologies to do so.  Advancements in other areas of science helped in the development of the necessary tools and technologies needed for research. The development of new kinds of imaging machines also paved the way for the development of new areas of study such as cognitive neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, and psychobiology.

Neil R Carlson in his book The Physiology of Behaviour defines psychobiology as an umbrella term that explores psychological processes from a biological or physiological point of view. Psychobiology, biological psychology, physiological psychology, and psychophysiology are used interchangeably. However, on closer scrutiny, it becomes clear that all these areas offer slightly different perspectives on the human mind.

Reductionism is often seen as the starting point of psychobiological perspective. In reductionism, human beings are seen as a set of interacting systems. The focus is on  the central nervous system, limbic system or the endocrine system. It can be further reduced to a visual system or even to a set of neurons.

John Pinel in his book Biopsychology stated that this perspective explores psychological processes by considering systems within the human body and causal or correlational factors within those systems.

Let us take an example. The limbic system is a set of structures within the human brain. An understanding of this system helps us understand the behaviours that are associated with a particular mood or emotion. This knowledge will help in dealing with a student behavioural management issue in a classroom. It will help understand the behaviour of the student standing in front of you. A knowledge of the human brain will help you understand children who are struggling with fundamental motor skills.

The biological perspective examines the influence of brain processes in behaviour. It encompasses the physiological basis of behaviour, behavioural genetics, hormones and behaviour, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, and evolutionary psychology.

Recent advancements in biology have led to a rapid growth in this field, giving us greater insights into the links between the structures of the brain, the human mind, and behaviour.

Having a knowledge of psychobiology can help a teacher understand the processes taking place inside a student's brain.

Biological neuroscience studies how the brain processes information and how other physiological functions influence our behaviour, emotions and thoughts. Karl Lashley (1890-1958) and Donald O Hebb (1904-1985) were pioneers of this approach. Lashley experimented on rats to find out how the damage to different parts of the brain affect its learning and memory.

Learning about some of the common disabilities seen in schools such dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can be good entry points into understanding and appreciating these psychobiological perspective.

In 1949, Hebb said that the connection between the nerve cells in the brain are the basis of learning, memory and perception. Behavioural neuroscientists measure brain activities through different imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Having a knowledge of psychobiology can help a teacher understand the processes taking place inside a student's brain. It helps you understand the processes taking place inside a child’s brain. Learning about some of the common disabilities seen in schools such dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can be good entry points into understanding and appreciating these psychobiological perspective.

Now put on your thinking hats and think about the following questions for a couple of minutes.

As a teacher, how do you describe the term "Psychobiology" to your students?

Can you think of the ways in which a better understanding in psychobiology can help teachers in the classrooms?

How would you describe the contributions of Karl Lashley and Donald O Hebb in the development of biological neuroscience?

Write down your thoughts and discuss them with your students, children and your colleagues. Listen to their views and compare them with your own. As you listen to others, note how similar or different your views are to others’.

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Happy Teaching!