What does the AQA Biopsychology topic cover?

Biopsychology (4.6) covers the divisions of the nervous system and the endocrine system (including fight or flight), the structure and function of neurons and synaptic transmission, localisation of function and hemispheric lateralisation (including split-brain research), plasticity and functional recovery of the brain, ways of studying the brain (fMRI, EEG, ERPs, post-mortems) and biological rhythms (circadian, infradian, ultradian) with endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers.

What are the divisions of the nervous system?

The nervous system divides into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral system splits into the somatic nervous system (voluntary movement and sensation) and the autonomic nervous system, which has sympathetic (arousing) and parasympathetic (calming) branches.

What is the difference between localisation and lateralisation?

Localisation of function is the idea that specific areas of the brain are responsible for specific functions, such as Broca's area for speech production. Hemispheric lateralisation is the idea that the two hemispheres have different functions, such as language being left-lateralised, demonstrated by Sperry's split-brain research.

What is the difference between plasticity and functional recovery?

Plasticity is the brain's general ability to change and form new connections in response to experience and learning throughout life. Functional recovery is a specific form of plasticity after trauma, where undamaged areas take over lost functions through mechanisms such as axonal sprouting and the recruitment of homologous areas.

What are the main ways of studying the brain?

fMRI measures blood flow to show active areas (good spatial, poor temporal resolution); EEG records general electrical activity through scalp electrodes (good temporal resolution); ERPs isolate the brain's response to a specific stimulus by averaging EEG trials; and post-mortems examine brain tissue after death, useful for deep structures but unable to establish causation.

How is Biopsychology assessed in the exams?

Biopsychology is examined in Paper 2 with Approaches and Research methods. Expect multiple-choice, short-answer and extended essay questions on the nervous and endocrine systems, neurons, localisation, plasticity, scanning techniques and biological rhythms, often applied to a scenario. Precise terminology is heavily rewarded.

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AQA A-Level Psychology 4.6 Biopsychology: the nervous system, the brain and rhythms

A complete AQA A-Level Psychology guide to module 4.6 Biopsychology. Covers the nervous and endocrine systems, neurons and synaptic transmission, localisation and lateralisation, plasticity and functional recovery, ways of studying the brain and biological rhythms.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.818 min read4.6Updated 2026-06-02

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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What module 4.6 demands
Systems, neurons and the brain
Plasticity, methods and rhythms
Check your knowledge

What module 4.6 demands

Biopsychology studies the biological basis of behaviour: the nervous and endocrine systems, how neurons communicate, how functions are organised in the brain, how the brain changes and recovers, how we study it, and the biological rhythms that govern our bodies. It is examined in Paper 2. Precise terminology is essential.

Systems, neurons and the brain

The nervous system divides into central and peripheral (somatic and autonomic), and the endocrine system uses glands and hormones, as in the fight or flight response. Neurons (sensory, relay, motor) communicate by electrical impulses within and chemical synaptic transmission between them, with excitation and inhibition. Localisation of function and hemispheric lateralisation (split-brain research) describe where functions sit.

Plasticity, methods and rhythms

Plasticity is the brain's ability to change, and functional recovery lets it adapt after trauma. The four ways of studying the brain are fMRI, EEG, ERPs and post-mortems. Biological rhythms (circadian, infradian, ultradian) are controlled by endogenous pacemakers (the SCN) and exogenous zeitgebers (light).

Check your knowledge

Name the two branches of the autonomic nervous system and their functions. (2 marks)
Describe the process of synaptic transmission. (4 marks)
Explain hemispheric lateralisation using Sperry's research. (4 marks)
Distinguish between circadian, infradian and ultradian rhythms. (3 marks)

Sources & how we know this

AQA A-level Psychology (7182) specification — AQA (2015)