Outline 9/29/98
Evolution and Determinism
The Structure of the Nervous System
Central & Peripheral
Three Major Divisions of the Brain
Hindbrain, Midbrain, Forebrain
Within the Forebrain
Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Limbic System.
The Cortex
So...
Should we conclude that men's focus on physical
beauty (especially WHR) and women's focus on status are natural, and
therefore, good things?
No, to do so would be to commit the naturalistic
fallacy--the assumption that because something exists naturally, it
is good
Consider A Patient with Parkinson's Disease
Should we conclude that men and women's mate preferences are
determined by their evolutionary heritage--that they are hostage to
the whims of natural selection?
No, to do so is to commit the deterministic
fallacy
The Deterministic Fallacy
The conclusion that genes (or heredity)
determine behavior in a rigid way that is essentially unaffected by
the environment.
Should we conclude that because a behavior was "adaptive" at some
point in our evolutionary heritage that it is still adaptive?
No, consider the physiological toll associated
with everyday anger and stress
Biological Approaches to Behavior: Proximal Causes
Why Study Biology in a Psychology Class?
Proximal Causes and the macro structure of the nervous system: The
Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
The somatic system (soma means
body)--connects central nervous system to voluntary muscles.
The autonomic system--connects the CNS to
nonvoluntary muscles, glands, and organs.
Within the Autonomic Nervous system can distinguish between the
sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
The Brain
The Hindbrain
The Midbrain
The Forebrain
Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Limbic System.
The Cortex
The Cortex & Speech: Complexity and
function