Physiological psychology connects behavior and mental processes to bodily processes and the functions of the brain. It is also known as biopsychology, psychobiology, physiological psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. There are four categories of biological explanations for behavior: physiological explanations relate behavior to brain and organ activity; ontogenetic explanations describe how behaviors develop based on genes, experiences, and their interactions; evolutionary explanations examine how behaviors evolved over time to enhance survival; and functional explanations appeal to the functions a structure or system has. The goal is to understand biology's relationship to psychological issues.

1. Module-I
Physiological Psychology

2. Meaning
 Biological psychology evolutionary, and
developmental mechanisms of behavior is the study
of the physiological, and experience. It is
approximately synonymous with the terms
 Biopsychology,
 Psychobiology,
 Physiological psychology, and
 Behavioral neuroscience.
The term biological psychology emphasizes that the
goal is to relate biology to issues of psychology.
Neuroscience includes much that is relevant to
behavior but also includes more detail about
anatomy and chemistry.

3. Meaning
 Physiological psychology that connects behavior and
mental processes to bodily processes, and to the
functions and actions of the brain. The brain in turn
affects behavior and mind.

4. Relating Brain & Behavior

5. Relating Brain & Behavior

6. Relating Brain & Behavior

7. Biological Explanations of Behavior
 Common-sense explanations of behavior often refer
to intentional goals such as, “He did this because he
was trying to . . .” or “She did that because she
wanted to . . . .” But often, we have no reason to
assume intentions.
 In contrast to common-sense explanations, biological
explanations of behavior fall into four categories
(Tinbergen, 1951):
 Physiological,
 Ontogenetic,
 Evolutionary, and
 Functional.

8. Biological Explanations of Behavior
 A physiological explanation relates a
behavior to the activity of the brain and other
organs. It deals with the machinery of the
body.
 The term ontogenetic comes from Greek roots
meaning the origin (or genesis) of being. An
ontogenetic explanation describes how a
structure or behavior develops, including the
influences of genes, nutrition, experiences,
and their interactions.

9. Biological Explanations of Behavior
 A evolutionary explanation attempt to explain how
certain human behaviours developed over time.
Certain behaviours can be explained by examining
their evolutionary origins and their identifying their
ability to enhance survival.
 Functional explanations are a type of explanation
offered in the natural and social sciences. In giving
these explanations, researchers appeal to the
functions that a structure or system has.

10. Reference
 Kalat. (2014). Biological Psychology. London: Cengage
Learning.
 Tinbergen, N. (1951). The study of instinct. Oxford, England:
Oxford University Press.