2. Scope/ Careers in Biopsychology
• Field treated the same as physiological psychology.
• Physiological psychologist- A scientist who studies the physiology of
behaviour, primarily by performing physiological and behavioural
experiments with laboratory animals.
• Other terms in place for physiological psychology- biological psychology,
biopsychology, psychobiology and behavioural neuroscience.
• All these belong to the larger field of neuroscience.
• Neuroscientists deal with nervous system and its anatomy, chemistry,
physiology, development and functioning. Research ranges from the study
of molecular genetics to social behaviour.
• Neurologists- Physicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of
diseases of nervous system. Study the behaviour of people whose brains
have been damaged by natural causes.
• Experimental neuropsychologist- Similar research area as that of
neurologists.
• All of these field require a Ph.D. and sometimes, an M.D.. Research also
engage in postdoctoral researches to gain research experience.
• Research technicians do not necessarily need a doctorate.
3. Ethical issues in research with animals
• Research on physiology of behaviour needs to
be humane and add value to the field of study
and society at large.
• Morality vs. indispensable use of animals in
research
• Animal use vs. treating mental, medical and
behavioural problems in humans and animals.
