PSYC 211 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Hemispatial Neglect, Parietal Lobe, Cerebral Hemisphere
8 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Two approaches to the mind-body questions are dualism and monism. Dualism: dual nature of reality, mind and body are separate, the body is made of ordinary matter but the mind is not. Monism: everything in universe consists of matter and energy and the mind is a phenomenon produced by workings of the nervous system. Physiological psychologists taken am empirical, practical and monistic approach to study of human nature. All we can detect with our sense organs and our lab instruments are manifestations of the physical world: matter and energy. Consciousness: being aware of and being able to communicate our thoughts, perceptions, memories and feelings. Consciousness can be altered by changes in the structure or chemistry of the brain; therefore consciousness is a physiological function. Our species, with its complex social structure and capacity for learning, is well-served by the ability to communicate: to express intentions to one another.
