The study of the neural mechanisms of behavior through direct manipulation of the brains of nonhuman animal subjects in controlled experiments.

Physiological Psychology

The study of the effects of drugs on the brain and behavior.

Psychopharmacology 

The study of the relation between physiological activity and psychological processes in human subjects by noninvasive methods.

Psychophysiology

The study of the evolution, genetics, and adaptiveness of behavior, often by using the comparative approach.

Comparative Psychology 

The study of the physiological basis for cognition.

Cognitive Neuroscience

Psycho-oncology is the study of physical/biological and social aspects of life with cancer. Its goal is to improve quality of life and to treat emotional and physical symptoms related to cancer treatment and lifestyle.  

Psycho-oncology 

Biopsychology involves the study of:
* Human Genetics
* Cells of the Nervous System
* Parts of the Nervous System
* The Brain and Spinal Cord
* The Endocrine System

Areas of Biopsychological Study

As per the biopsychosocial model, the biology, psychology, and social elements of a person interact, which influences that person's health.

Biopsychosocial Model

Biopsychology research is an interdisciplinary field with a vast amount of research fields. Some of which are:
- Sensory and motor systems
- Sleep
- Drug use and abuse
- Ingestive behavior
- Reproductive behavior
- Neurodevelopment
- Neuroplasticity (plasticity of the nervous system)
- Biological correlates of psychological disorders

Research Interests of Biopsychological Research 

Biopsychology or Biological Psychology  is the subfield of psychology that explores the physiological mechanisms underlying human (or animal) behavior. It may also be referred to as Neuroscience.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Trinity College (CT)

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The scientific field of study of nervous system function and development. The human nervous system is comprised of the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral  (nerves and ganglia branching from brain and spinal cord) nervous systems. These are referred to as the CNS and PNS, respectively.

Neuroscience (Neurobiology)

* educational psychology
* cognitive psychology
* feminist psychology
* cultural psychology
* biopsychology
* evolutionary psychology
* health psychology
* industrial-organizational psychology
* sports and exercise psychology
* personality psychology
* abnormal psychology
* developmental psychology
* forensic psychology
* clinical psychology
* neuropsychology
* social psychology
* sensation and perception
* learning and memory
* emotion and motivation

Psychological Disciplines

Pinel, J. P., &amp; Barnes, S. J. (2018). Biopsychology (10th ed.). Essex: Pearson.

Biopsychology

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

COVID-19 patients have shown symptoms of direct and indirect neurological effects, from changes in taste and smell, to immunologic factors in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).  It is unknown whether these phenomena are the result of neurological damage, of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and/or of indirect effects of the immune response. Furthermore, studies in mice have shown that neurons are susceptible to infection, suggesting that cells of the CNS may contribute to the deteriorating breathing and respiratory function of COVID-19 patients. The image below is an early hypothesized mechanism of viral entry through nasal and oral mucosa cells, though there is not yet any evidence to support this hypothesis.

Effects of COVID-19 on the Central Nervous System

Even in the absence of typical respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, various patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have presented neurological symptoms, such as:

- acute cerebrovascular diseases

- impaired consciousness

-  skeletal muscle injury

- encephalopathy (symptoms: ischemic stroke)

- loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia)

- stroke

- cranial nerve deficits

- delirium

- meningitis

- paralysis

- seizures

- neuroinflammatory syndromes

- high pressure CSF

- muscle stiffness

The list below includes less-common neurological symptoms of COVID-19:
- Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS)
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

Neurological symptoms Presented in COVID-19 Patients

- Brain
- Neurons
- Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- Neurological diseases
- Central nervous system (CNS)

Focuses of neuroscience (neurobiology) 

An intersection between psychology, neuroscience and economics that studies how brain activation corresponds with decisions of gains and losses.

Neuroeconomics

As the relapse prevention model discusses, many individuals recovering from addiction return to their behavior at some point during/after treatment. Researchers have begun to look at this idea of relapse and relapse prevention from a neuroscience perspective. This perspective could help further the understanding of why, on a brain level, individuals relapse and how we could possibly help. There is not a large consensus yet, but the research is looking at many factors including pathways, styles, and stages of recovery, as well as the possibility of reversing or diminishing the brain dysregulation that results from addiction.

Neuroscience approach to relapse and relapse prevention

The study of behavior, emotion, and cognition and how they relate to brain function

Neuropsychology

This looks at how behavior and the environment are affecting the neural development of humans through their lifetime.

Behavioral Neuroscience

Discipline that is concerned with hormonal development, its interaction with the nervous system, its secretion and associated physiological and behavioral effects.

Neuroendocrinology

A distinct line of inquiry with the goal of understanding which systems of the brain are activated during mindfulness practice to determine the effects that both short and long-term practice has on brain function and structure.

Neurobiology of Mindfulness

The study of Emotion Regulation within the lens of Neurobiology. More specifically, understanding what brain functions correspond to Emotion Regulation. 

The Neurobiology of Emotion Regulation

Biopsychology (Biological Psychology)

A human's nervous system is in charge of managing our cognitions, movements, and responses. It is comprised of billions of neurons, glial cells, and the central and peripheral nervous systems. 

Nervous System

The study of how emotions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real, imagined or implied presence of others.

Social psychology

It examines psychology through the lens of evolution. How the human psyche has come to be through our "iterative development". Evolutionary psychology is a theoretical approach to psychology that attempts to explain useful mental and psychological traits—such as memory, perception, or language—as adaptations, i.e., as the functional products of natural selection.

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of mental processes such as:
 - attention
- language
- memory
- perception
- problem-solving
- creativity
- thought
- decision-making
- processing
- knowledge
- learning

Also includes the study of computer based cognitive models such as:
- Connectionism (parallel distributed processing (PDP)) 

Fields that draw from cognitive psychology include:
- Learning Science
- Developmental Psychology

Cognitive Psychology

A branch of psychology dealing with the application of psychological principles and theories to a broad spectrum of teaching, training, and learning issues in educational settings. Educational psychology also addresses psychological problems that can arise in educational systems.

Educational Psychology

The study of individual's relatively stable and enduring behavior patterns that distinguish them from others. Personality Psychology draws from other areas of psychology (social, educational, cognitive, etc.)


Personality Psychology

A specialty in psychology that focuses on different emotional, social, vocational, and physical health concerns individuals may have at various points in their lives. Counseling psychologists help individuals work through both typical everyday stressors as well as more severe issues to improve overall well-being.

Counseling Psychology

Clinical psychology is the psychological specialty that provides continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care for individuals and families; consultation to agencies and communities; training, education and supervision; and research-based practice

Clinical Psychology

Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology is the application of psychological principles, theory, and research to work and occupational settings.

Industrial-organizational Psychology

Positive psychology is a sub-field of psychology that revolves around the study of what makes people happy and prosperous.

Positive Psychology

Feminist psychology seeks to represent women within the field of psychology. This movement arose due to the field being historically dominated by males, both as scholars and research subjects. Any descriptions of women used to be based on the perspectives of male scholars, so feminist psychology seeks to further the understanding of gender differences through scientific study. Some figures that were influential to the movement include Naomi Weisstein; and Crawford and Marecek.

Feminist Psychology

A sub-field of psychology that revolves around the study of how individuals, groups, and society are impacted by culture. It involves Multicultural and Cross-Cultural approaches. 

Cultural Psychology

Forensic Psychology is the area of psychology where its theories and practices are applied to criminal justice and civil procedures defined by the law.

Forensic Psychology

Also referred to as abnormal psychology, it is the study of mental disorders and unusual or maladaptive behaviors. A mental disorder is characterized by clinically significant disturbances in an individual's cognition, emotional regulation, and/or behavior that is not a reasonably associated response to environmental stimuli.  

Psychopathology

 Health Psychology is the psychological field of study concerned with how various factors (biological, psychological, sociocultural) influence our physical health, wellbeing, and our choices regarding them.

Health Psychology

**Occupational Health Psychology (OHP)** is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationship between work and employee well-being. It focuses on understanding and promoting the physical, mental, and emotional health of workers while considering various factors that influence career success and job satisfaction. OHP researchers investigate how work-related factors, such as job demands, resources, organizational climate, meaningful work, and career callings impact the health and performance of individuals in the workplace.

Occupational Health Psychology

Sports and Exercise Psychology is an area of psychology that studies the connection between one's mind, body, and emotions in relation to physical activities (i.e. sports, exercise, etc.).

Sport and Exercise Psychology

A field concerned with the physical reception, psychophysiological processing, and cognitive appraisal of sensory information.

Sensation and Perception in Psychology

A field of psychology that is concerned with the acquisition and retention of information.

Learning and Memory in Psychology

- Health Psychology
- Buddhist Psychology

Interdisciplinary Areas in Psychology

A branch of psychology that explores the phylogenetic origins, proximate causes, and ultimate functions of behavior.

A field concerned with internal and external factors that influence goal oriented behaviors.

Emotion and Motivation Psychology

Developmental psychology is the scientific study of how and why human beings change over the course of their life. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to include adolescence, adult development, aging, and the entire lifespan.

Developmental Psychology (Lifespan Development)

Which of the following psychological disciplines primarily focuses on the study of how people learn and the best practices for teaching?

Which psychological discipline is primarily concerned with the study of mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving?

Which psychological discipline focuses on the study of how psychological factors influence physical health and illness?

Which psychological discipline is primarily concerned with the study of how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others?

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