#AP Psychology Study Guide: Biological Bases of Behavior 🧠

Hey there, future AP Psych master! Let's dive into the world of biological psychology, where we explore how our brains and bodies influence our thoughts and actions. This is a high-value topic so let's get it down!

# The Biological Perspective: Where Mind Meets Matter

Biological psychology examines how our biology—our brains, neurotransmitters, and genetics—impacts our behavior and mental processes. It's like looking at the hardware of the mind!

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#Common Drug Types in Psychopharmacology

• Antidepressants: Boost mood by increasing neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine.
• Anti-anxiety drugs (Tranquilizers): Calm the central nervous system to reduce anxiety.
• Mood stabilizers: Help even out the extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder.
• Antipsychotics: Reduce psychotic symptoms by decreasing dopamine levels.

# Research Methods in Biological Psychology 🧪

• When testing new drugs, researchers use experiments with a control group (placebo) and an experimental group (new drug).

# Types of Drugs: A Closer Look

# Antidepressants 💊

• Used for: Depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.
• How they work:
  • SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
  • They promote neurogenesis 🌱 (the growth of new neurons).

- Best results: Combining medication with therapy and exercise 🏃.

Caption: Antidepressants work by increasing the availability of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

# Anti-anxiety Drugs (Tranquilizers) 😥

• Used for: Anxiety disorders.
• How they work: Reduce activity in the central nervous system (CNS).

- Risks: - **Tolerance**: Needing more of the drug to get the same effect. - **Dependence**: Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping the drug.

Caption: Anti-anxiety medications calm the central nervous system, but can lead to tolerance and dependence.

# Mood Stabilizers ⚖️

• Used for: Bipolar disorder.
• How they work: Balance the extreme mood swings of mania and depression.

# Antipsychotic Drugs (Neuroleptics) 🤯

• Used for: Disorders like schizophrenia.
• How they work: Decrease dopamine levels in the brain.

- Issue: Side effects often lead to patients stopping medication, causing symptoms to return.

Caption: Antipsychotic medications can help manage psychotic symptoms, but have potential side effects.

# Summary Table of Drug Types

# Other Biomedical Procedures

# Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) ⚡

• Used for: Severe depression.
• How it works: Brief electric currents are sent to the brain while the patient is under anesthesia.

- Mechanism: It's thought to lower brain activity and promote neurogenesis. - Note: Relapse is possible.

# Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) 🧲

• Used for: ASD and depression.
• How it works: Magnetic energy is sent to the brain to either stimulate or suppress activity.

- Theory: May activate the left frontal lobe, which is linked to positive emotions.

# Deep-Brain Stimulation 🧠

• Used for: Depression and possibly OCD.
• How it works: Connects specific areas of the brain to activate the frontal lobes and limbic system.
• Note: Not the most effective method.

# Psychosurgery 👨‍⚕️

• How it works: Removes parts of the brain to treat disorders.

- Example: The prefrontal lobotomy (removal of frontal lobes) was used in the past but had terrible side effects.

# Final Exam Focus 🎯

• High-Priority Topics: Neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine), drug types (antidepressants, anti-anxiety, antipsychotics), and their mechanisms, side effects, and the ethical considerations of psychosurgery.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple choice questions on the functions of different neurotransmitters and drug categories.
  • FRQs that ask you to compare and contrast different treatment methods or analyze the ethical issues of biological interventions.
  • Questions combining biological factors with other perspectives (e.g., how biological factors interact with cognitive or social factors).

- **Common Pitfalls**: Confusing different neurotransmitters or drug types. Forgetting the side effects of treatments. Not addressing the ethical considerations when discussing biological interventions.

# Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following neurotransmitters is most directly associated with the symptoms of schizophrenia? (A) Serotonin (B) Dopamine (C) Norepinephrine (D) GABA (E) Acetylcholine

2. A patient reports feeling anxious and has been prescribed a medication that reduces central nervous system activity. Which type of drug is most likely prescribed? (A) Antidepressant (B) Mood stabilizer (C) Antipsychotic (D) Anti-anxiety drug (E) Stimulant

3. What is a common side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medications? (A) Increased appetite (B) Tardive dyskinesia (C) Weight loss (D) Increased energy (E) Improved memory

Free Response Question

A 25-year-old woman, Sarah, has been experiencing severe depression for several months. Her psychiatrist is considering different treatment options.

(A) Describe two biological treatments that could be used to treat Sarah’s depression. (B) Compare and contrast the two treatments you described in part A, including a discussion of their effectiveness and potential side effects. (C) Explain one ethical consideration that must be considered when using biological treatments for psychological disorders.

Scoring Rubric

(A) 2 points: - 1 point for each correctly described biological treatment (e.g., ECT, rTMS, antidepressants). - Acceptable descriptions should include the method of treatment and its intended effect.

(B) 3 points: - 1 point for a correct comparison of the effectiveness of the two treatments - 1 point for a correct contrast of the effectiveness of the two treatments - 1 point for a correct comparison of the side effects of the two treatments - Note: Side effects and effectiveness must be correctly associated with the specific treatment.

(C) 2 points: - 1 point for identifying an ethical consideration (e.g., informed consent, potential for harm, side effects, over-reliance on medication). - 1 point for explaining why it is an ethical consideration in the context of biological treatments.

You've got this! Remember, biological psychology is all about understanding the physical basis of our mental lives. Keep reviewing, stay calm, and you'll do great on the exam! 🚀