BIO 150 Lecture Notes

Introduction Scenario

• Scenario of a 40-year-old man:
  • Quiet life, married, two kids, suddenly bizarre behavior
  • Punches colleague, affair with a minor, embezzles money
  • Possibilities:
    1. Deep creep
    2. Immature midlife crisis
    3. Mutation in one gene causing neurological disease

Influence of Genetics on Behavior

• Questions to the class:
  • Genetic influence on sexual orientation?
  • Prenatal events influencing political opinions?
  • Using biology to understand religiosity?
  • Belief in God, souls, evil, free will?
• Nature vs. nurture debate

Commonality of Various Events

• Events:
  • Having period
  • Having a brain tumor
  • Eating junk food
  • Taking anabolic steroids
• Commonality:
  • All linked to hormones
  • Used in legal defenses for murder
• Key Point 1: Body's influence on the brain
• Key Point 2: Mind's influence on the body

Course Focus: Physiology and Behavior Interconnections

• Understanding the influence of physiology on behavior
• Human social behavior and abnormal behavior
• Complexity and categorical thinking
  • Example: Estimating lengths, running speeds, colors, etc.

Categorical Thinking

• Usage:
  • Easier data storage and recall
  • Examples: Length of ruler, 4-minute mile, color categorization
• Problems with categorical thinking:
  • Lack of differentiation within same category
  • Overestimation of differences across boundaries
  • Missing the big picture

Avoiding Categorical Thinking in Biology

• Analyzing behavior:
  • Immediate neural causes
  • Sensory stimuli
  • Hormonal influences
  • Evolutionary pressures
• No fixed buckets; look for interconnected explanations

Historical Misinterpretations in Biology

• Examples of extreme categorizations:
  • John Watson (Behaviorism)
  • Antonio Egas Moniz (Frontal lobotomies)
  • Konrad Lorenz (Nazi propaganda)

Human Uniqueness and Biological Similarities

• Examples:
  • Menstrual synchronization in humans vs. animals
  • Physiological reactions (chess grandmasters vs. baboons)
  • Non-reproductive sex and language in humans
• Categories of human behaviors:
  • Similar to animals
  • Humans use similar traits in unique ways
  • Completely unique human behaviors

Course Structure

• Two halves:
  1. Introduction to various categories (evolution, genetics, neurobiology, etc.)
  2. Specific behaviors (e.g., aggression, parenthood, mental disorders)
• Emphasis on interconnected learning, avoiding categorical traps

Course Logistics

• No prerequisites, designed for all majors
• Sections for catch-up and weekly reviews
• Readings, handouts, and additional materials online
• Midterm and final exam structures
• Assigning books: Author’s own book and James Gleick's Chaos

Sections and Office Hours

• Regular sections for different levels
• Office hours and additional support offered

Miscellaneous

• Units: 5
• Recorded lectures available online
• Midterm: May 3
• Final: June 4
• Paperless handouts after initial lecture

Advice

• Engage with sections and online resources
• Understand the importance of studying behavioral biology