Talk:Psychophysiology

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Um. That's just an example, right? There's no actual link between those two, yes? In which case, it should be made clear. DS 18:24, 30 May 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Amygdala- fear

His example makes sense neuro-anatomically. in deed

[edit] Distinction From Physiological Psychology

I would diagree with this line in the article:

Psychophysiology is different from physiological psychology in that psychophysiology looks at the way psychological activities produce physiological responses, while physiological psychology looks at the physiological mechanisms which lead to psychological activity.

I think this is a false dichotomy, and also inaccurate. The main difference between the two is methodology, and to some extent, the questions asked. The article is right: psychophysiologists usually use intact human subjects, measuring peripheral responses (heart rate, etc.) and central responses (EEG) to assay changes in neural processes. Physiological psychologists usually use nonhuman subjects and perform a manipulation of nervous systems, such as lesion or drug injection or whatever. Both study the relationship between physiology and behavior/thought. SJS1971 16:59, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

I like the line the way that it is. More and more work is physiological psychology is done with imaging techniques such as functional MRI, PET, and SPEC. This research is often done on intact human subjects. The difference really seems to me to be an input output thing. Physiological psychology describes the input to the mind from the environment, body, and brain. Psychophysiology seems to describe the output from the mind to the brain and body. I just am finishing up a physiological psychology course so I know something about it. I will have to research psychophysiology some more. MilitantLeftist 07:24, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

I guess maybe I can trump you here. I have a PhD in the field and have been publishing in physiological psychology journals since 1994. Psychophysiology is a specialized field. Physiological psychology is more general. Biological psychology is more general still. I'm not sure what you mean about input-output differences.

[edit] Whether Should be Joined with Psychophysiology

I strongly believe two should be kept separate. I will try to expand physiological psychology section when/if I have time.MilitantLeftist 07:24, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

It would make a lot more sense to merge it with Biological psychology rather than psychophysiology. SJS1971 14:46, 24 August 2007 (UTC)

I agree, the merge doesn't make sense. I'll remove the old tag that got no support. Dicklyon 00:53, 28 August 2007 (UTC)