Bio-Psychology

Biopsychology – AQA A-level Psychology Topic Overview
Biopsychology explores how biological processes influence human behaviour, combining elements of psychology and neuroscience. This topic introduces students to the structure and function of the nervous system, the brain, and the endocrine system. It provides essential insights into how physiological mechanisms underpin behaviour, emotion, and cognition.

Key areas include:

The Nervous System – Understanding the central and peripheral nervous systems, including the roles of sensory, relay, and motor neurons.
The Endocrine System & the Fight or Flight Response – The interaction between glands and hormones, including the role of adrenaline in responding to stress.
Neurons and Synaptic Transmission – How neurons communicate through electrical impulses and chemical neurotransmitters.
Localisation of Function in the Brain – How specific areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours and cognitive functions.
Plasticity and Functional Recovery – How the brain adapts and reorganises after injury or experience, including neural reorganisation and axonal sprouting.
Ways of Studying the Brain – An overview of scanning techniques and other methods used in biopsychological research (e.g. fMRI, EEG, post-mortem examinations).
Biological Rhythms – Circadian, infradian and ultradian rhythms, including the role of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
Biopsychology equips students with a scientific understanding of the body’s role in shaping thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It forms a foundation for future study in psychology, neuroscience, and health sciences.