Journals
Journals
Introduction to Psychology
Psychology is introduced as a scientific study of behavior. It also has a mental element. The professional is concerned examination and analysis of behavior. This is done in order to understand, predict, control and explain the behavior of that person. In the chapter, one is also able to learn the various approaches to psychology. This fundamental as it equips the learner with basic skills to pursue the course in-depth. The study provides the learner with a broad range of the various fields of study and practice in psychology. It is extremely vital for the students to have a comprehensive understanding of the introduction as lays the grounds for further research.
The second chapter seeks to examine the nervous system of the human being. This is the basic blue print of how humans respond to anything. The chapter also canvases the nervous system communication process, the functioning of the brain and the challenging issues currently under research. The brain and the spinal cord are the main components of the central nervous system. On the other hand, the autonomic and somatic form the peripheral nervous system. The nervous system is a complex communication system that needs to be studied comprehensively to understand its working mechanisms. The structure, function and composition of the neurons are also extensively discussed. By the end of the chapter, a student has a significant level of understand of the nervous system communication process, the organs involved and the roles that they play.
Mapping the Brain
A study tour through the brain of a human being will reveal a phenomenal organ. It is divided into six cardinal parts. These are the brain stem, the cerebrum, the cerebellum, the limbic system, the thalamus and the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. All these parts perform different but specialized functions to coordinate and control the human body and its communication system. A comprehensive study of the topic reveals that a human brain is an extremely complicated organ and essential for the survival of the human being. The brain stem is composed of the pons and the medulla. The brain stem is a crucial part of the spinal cord whose cardinal function is to link the rest of the brain with the lymphatic system. The cerebellum controls balance and movement and is critical in learning responses. Emotions and other significant survival responses are regulated by the thalamus. It is interesting how parts of the brain are divided. Every part has more than just one function and the level of coordination involved is similar to that of a super computer.
The Biological Bases of Behavior
This was an extremely interesting read. Genetics are fascinating and it is crucial that students understand how they work and the explanation behind it. This chapter provides precisely this. In the struggle for heritable genes, recessive genes are overpowered by dominant genes. This is determined by carrying out a comprehensive analysis of the twin studies, pedigree analysis and adopted children. The variety is analysis is to eliminate other influential factors like the environment where the child is raised.
Neurons and Behavior
Researchers have invested a lot of resources and time to investigate the brain-neurons-behavior relations. All parts of the brain communicate with specific parts of the human body in order to facilitated specialized function. The significance of a brain cell can be observed when it is damaged. The brain is divisible into three principle areas. These are the forebrain, the midbrain and the hindbrain. The hindbrain is tasked with execution of muscular commands, breathing, circulation, arousal and sleep. The midbrain is charged with the task of regulating and facilitating sensory processes. It also enables a person to have a reflexive turning of the head. This is extremely critical as it keeps the person alive of his surroundings. The forebrain forms the most complex and largest part of the brain. It is composed of various regions including the thalamus and hypothalamus. Studying about the brain in this topic enables one to appreciate the significance of the brain and why it is vital to protect it.
Consciousness: Body Rhythms and Mental States
This is designed to educate a student of the crucial processes that occur in the human body. One of these is the biological rhythms that are concerned with blood pressure, hormone levels, brain cell stimulation and urine volumes. These are vital processes that are coordinated by the brains cells. Some researchers refer to them as biological clocks. The study demonstrates the strides made in the analysis of the regulations of these biological clocks. It is essential that a student should absorb this knowledge as it is crucial to for the understanding of psychology.
Sensation and Perception
Intensity, repetitious, nature, motive and organization of information that people consume daily heavily influence their perception. Perception occurs when one attention is draw to a specific item irrespective of the background. There are various factors that influence people’s perceptions including health and senses. This significantly explains the phenomenon why people have different opinions or inferences derived from the same set of facts. Culture is also a strong influence on perception. Most people tend to own their cultural perspective and it may take years to develop a new perspective. Sensation occurs when organs are stimulated. This triggers perception and transmission processes and interpretation kick in leading to physical energies being converted to neural impulses.
The Visual System
The Visual system is an extremely significant system in the human body. It is the system responsible with the actualization of the sense of sight. The organ responsible with sight is the human eye. The main parts of the human eye include the retina, cornea, the pupil and the visual receptors. Light enters the eye in form of wavelength, purity and amplitude. The visual receptors located at the back of the eye transform the light into neural impulses. These are transmitted to the brain. It is here that the element of perception is realized. The elements of the object in sight is analysed and interpreted. The working of the eye is incredible. It is amazing how much physics is done by biological tissues in a completely reliable system that rarely malefactions unless infected by a contagious disease. In order to make sense of the world, the human eye detects elements of an object in stimuli and then modifies it to a similar shape. This helps the brain interpret what the object means to the person seeing it. As much as the sense of sight is replaceable by increased intensity of other senses the experience is never the same.
References
Cvetkovic, D., & Cosic, I. (2011). States of Consciousness: Experimental Insights into Meditation, Waking, Sleep and Dreams. New York: Springer.
Engler, B. (2008). Personality Theories: An Introduction. New York: Cengage Learning.
Kalat, J. W. (2013). Introduction to Psychology. New York: Cengage Learning.
Weiten, W. (2011). Psychology: Themes and Variations, 9th ed.: Themes and Variations. New York: Cengage Learning.
