Psychophysiology

Psychophysiology is the branch of psychology that is concerned with the physiological bases of psychological processes. While psychophysiology was a general broad field of research in the 1960s and 1970s, it has now become quite specialized, and has branched into subspecializations such as social psychophysiology, cardiovascular psychophysiology, and cognitive psychophysiology.

History

The history of psychophysiology is quite old, with its roots dating back to the ancient Greeks. However, it was not until the 19th century that psychophysiology became a distinct scientific discipline. The term "psychophysiology" was first used by a German physician named Wilhelm Wundt in the late 19th century.

Methodology

Psychophysiology uses a variety of methods to study the brain and behavior, including electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). These methods allow researchers to measure brain activity and understand how it relates to behavior.

Applications

Psychophysiology has many applications in fields such as neurology, psychiatry, psychology, neuropsychology, and neuroscience. It is also used in clinical psychology to understand and treat psychological disorders.

See also

• Biopsychology
• Neuropsychology
• Psychoneuroimmunology
• Psychosomatic medicine

External links

• American Psychological Association
• Society for Psychophysiological Research