Biological influences on behavior from "summary" of Factors of Human Psychology by Lawrence Wooster Cole
Biological influences on behavior have been studied in depth to uncover the root of human behavior. Scientists have identified a variety of physiological and genetic components that can affect how we think, feel, and act.- Biology plays an essential role in understanding and predicting behavior. Studies have shown that certain traits, such as aggression, are shaped by genes containing instructions for making proteins that influence the development of neurons responsible for controlling emotions.
- Environmental factors like stress, trauma, and lifestyle habits can also shape behavior. Stressful events and traumatic experiences, for example, can cause fear and anxiety, while poor sleeping patterns or eating habits can lead to mood disturbances.
- Neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine also play a role in human behavior. These chemicals affect how humans receive and respond to stimuli and can strongly influence thoughts, feelings, and actions.
- Many psychological disorders are linked to biological processes as well. Mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are rooted in biological causes, including gene expression and neurotransmitter production.
- Studies have shown that inherited characteristics dictate whether individuals are subject to external pressures and environmental factors. These genetic components often interact with environmental influences, ultimately determining why people behave in certain ways.
- Hormonal imbalances due to natural changes or illnesses may cause mood swings, physical alterations, and even impair cognitive capacity. If left untreated, a disruption in the body's hormones can cause extreme behavioral problems.
