Which theory most clearly emphasizes the influence of biology on behavior and mental processes?

• A. Psychodynamic Theory
• B. Social-Cognitive Theory
• C. Biopsychology
• D. Information-Processing Model

Answer: (C)

Biology’s role in shaping behavior and mental processes is what this item is about. Biopsychology examines how brain structures, neural activity, neurotransmitters, hormones, and genetics influence thoughts, feelings, and actions, linking physiological processes to psychology. This biological perspective explains why certain mental states or behaviors arise from brain function—for example, how dopamine pathways relate to reward-seeking or how the hippocampus supports memory. It differs from other approaches that focus on non-biological factors: psychodynamic theory emphasizes unconscious conflicts and early experiences; social-cognitive theory highlights learning from others, expectations, and cognitive processing in social contexts; and the information-processing model treats thinking as a sequence of cognitive steps rather than biology-driven processes.