Exploring the Brain: A Psychological Perspective

hydraulics that drove bodily actions.

Dualism, as a philosophical idea, establishes a distinct division between the brain and the mind. Despite scientists' rejection of the notion that the mind can exist independently from the brain in physical terms, mental processing is akin to an engineering process where energy changes into bodily movement through electrical or chemical means. Psychologists place emphasis on neurons and synapses collaborating to create the nervous system. Variations in behavior and mindset are associated with differences in how this system operates.

The synapse is where neurons meet and abnormalities in multiple synapses in the brain may cause psychological disorders. Messages are passed between neurons via chemical transmitters. The synapse can either excite the message to continue or inhibit it, suppressing any activity. Abnormalities in certain neuron transmitters may be linked to schizophrenia.

The synapse is responsible for originating mood, behavior, and emotions in individuals. Abnormal activity in specific brain regions can cause fixation on stimuli that would normally be ignored. Neural activity levels in the brain affect these functions and changes to synaptic levels may occur due to conditions such as Parkinson's disease which results in a loss of dopaminergic neurons.

Depression can be treated by Prozac and other prescription drugs that specifically aim at synapses, whereas non-prescription drugs like cocaine, nicotine, and heroin modify the activity of synapses. Synaptic transmission involves the release of neurotransmitters across a synapse and their corresponding uptakes, with any surplus ones eliminated from the junction via receptors.

Neurotransmitters in the nervous system's synapse are either broken down by enzymes or recycled via specific re-uptake receptors. Cocaine inhibits dopamine reuptake, leading to an excess of dopamine and a feeling of euphoria.

However, this inhibition causes a decrease in neurotransmitters and eventual dysphoria. Understanding drug effects on the nervous system involves evaluating both overall function and conscious awareness.

It should be noted that the effects of drugs can vary depending on both individual differences and environmental factors. Interestingly, habitual drug users may even feel an effect when given a placebo due to their anxiety and surroundings. In 1969, Sperry developed a procedure for treating epilepsy by severing the corpus callosum, but this had unintended consequences for how information was processed in the right hemisphere. Penfield and Rasmussen performed a study in 1968 where conscious patients undergoing surgery were asked to report on sensations resulting from electrical stimulation of the temporal lobe.

Patients have claimed to accurately remember past events, indicating a connection between memories and a specific area of the brain. This is illustrated by Phineas Gage's famous case in 1848 when an iron rod entered his left frontal lobe. Despite not suffering major speech or intelligence issues, changes in his personality rendered him difficult, unpredictable, and self-centered.

According to the evidence presented, damage to the frontal lobe can result in reduced inhibitions due to its role in regulating emotional expression. However, these findings are restricted as they only apply to a single brain region and do not have complete control. There is potential for other brain regions to compensate for damage in a specific area. Despite some people arguing that psychological activity is solely governed by the brain, Bolton and Hill disagree with this view and claim that biology and physiology cannot exclusively reduce psychology.

Descartes proposed the notion of dualism, claiming a true separation between mind and brain. While

this theory has been disproven, the concept of a stimulus causing a bodily reaction remains valid. Scientific research has discovered that our behavior is shaped by synapses, and abnormalities in neuro transmitters can give rise to psychological disorders such as schizophrenia. Prescription drugs like Prozac can offer chemical therapy for conditions such as depression or obsessional neurosis. Non-prescription drugs like Cocaine block dopamine reuptake in the neural system, thereby leading to drug dependency.

After examining research by Sperry, Penfield, and Rasmussen, as well as the aftermath of Phileas Gage's unintentional brain injury, it can be concluded that all behavior is based on psychological and biological factors. For instance, when an individual witnesses a traumatic event such as a car accident, the physiological explanation involves the reflection of ambient light on the retina which is then transmitted as neural signals to the brain. In contrast, a psychological explanation may focus on the personal and social significance of the experience, which many argue is more important.