Essential Biological Psychology

The Essential Psychology Series bridges the gap between simple introductory texts aimed at pre-university students and higher level textbooks for upper level undergraduates. Each volume in the series is designed to provide concise yet up-to-date descriptions of the major areas of psychology for first year undergraduates or students taking psychology as a supplement to other courses of study. The authors, who are acknowledged experts in their field, explain the basics carefully and engagingly without the over-simplification often found in introductory textbooks, at the same time providing the reader with insights into current thinking. Essential Biological Psychology is an accessible, well-illustrated and well-written account of the study of the role of the body in behaviour and the effect of behaviour on the working of the body. Covering all the major topics within biopsychology, and evaluating the most up-to-date findings, particularly within neuroscience and neuroimaging research, this textbook is essential reading for first and second level undergraduates taking courses in biological or physiological psychology as well as anyone studying courses in neuropsychology or behavioural neuroscience.

G Neil Martin is Principal Lecturer in Psychology at Middlesex University and is also associate editor for The Psychologist.

Chapter 1 What is biological psychology? Chapter 2 Approaches to studying biological psychology Chapter 3 The nervous system and how it works Chapter 4 The brain: its structures, regions and functions Chapter 5 The sensory and motor systems Chapter 6 Motivation: genes, thirst, hunger, sex and aggression Chapter 7 Learning and memory Chapter 8 Emotion and stress Chapter 9 Language and other higher functions Chapter 10 Consciousness Chapter 11 Psychological and degenerative disorders