In the past, psychology was more related to philosophy, than to exact sciences. David Myers’ famed statement that ‘everything psychological is simultaneously biological’ is powerful in that it underlies psychology to the study of biology, which has much to say about the human mind. This statement reflects the contemporary trend which largely considers that psychological phenomena occur because of biological factors. The brain, the nervous system and the endocrine system give psychologists important clues regarding various psychological conditions. Myers and his followers therefore believe that it is imperative for the psychologist to have at least basic notions regarding the functioning of the brain and these systems in order to understand what happens inside a patient’s mind. Myer’s statement is true because all psychological conditions originate in the brain, and it means a disturbance at the level at the level of the mind or of the nervous system.
In order to understand psychological reactions essentially biological processes, one must first understand the nervous system. Neurons are building blocks of the nervous system, which transmit messages among the neural systems, which determine the reaction of the body (King 2013). The peripheral nervous system, which consists in the nerves disposed along the body transmits sensory information from the medium, which are processed by the neurons. The messages they transmit to the body, after being processed tell the organism how to react according to the sensory experience, for example with fear, excitement, pleasure, or disgust.
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"The Relation between Psychology and Biological Processes".
Therefore, the first evidence that psychological states draw from biological events comes from the examination of emotion. Emotion is related to certain areas of the brain. For example, certain primary emotions, such as fear, determine the arousal of the nervous system which results in specific bodily reactions, such as trembling, sweating, or increased cardiac rhythm. Therefore, in trying to understand one’s feelings, the psychologist must also know how they are produced at the level of the brain, and what bodily reactions those feelings are likely to determine.
For example, the prefrontal cortex regulates not only bodily functions but also the experience of emotions. It is found in the anterior part of the frontal lobes and regulates thinking, planning and judging situations (King 2013). Thus, it is responsible with calming fear and re-establishing the emotional balance, diminishing anger, and opposing morality to impulsive actions, being in essence responsible with issues regarding the personality of the individual. Apparently, damage, reduced volume, or insufficient interconnections at the level of the prefrontal cortex results in psychological disorders, and determines suicidal thoughts, sociopathic behavior, or psychosis. While it is largely believed that many important mental disorders may have their roots in the prefrontal cortex, the extent to which this is true is still unknown.
In addition, while the damage of the brain causes psychological disturbances, psychological states may cause physical reactions of the body. This is because the relationship between the body and the mind is bidirectional. For example, a disease such as anorexia which has major health risks and determines acute physiological reactions is determined by emotional and mental factors, such as a poor self-image, and lack of self-confidence. Also, stress that occurs in day to day activities, can cause, or worsen physical conditions such as diabetes, or cardiac problems.
For these reasons, it is accurate to state that everything psychological is simultaneously biological. Everything which occurs at the level of the mind has a biological origin, and determines reactions both at the level of the mind and of the body. While many psychological states and psychiatric conditions are determined by damage or disturbance at the level of the brain or of the nervous system, psychological states can also determine health problems. The psychologist has the duty to understand this relationship and the human brain, in order to be able to understand his patients.
- King, L. Experience psychology, 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
