A subfield of psychology that examines how biological processes influence behavior and mental processes.

• A. Clinical Psychology
• B. Developmental Psychology
• C. Biological Psychology
• D. Behavioral Neuroscience

Answer: (C)

Biological psychology focuses on how the body's biology shapes behavior and mental processes. It asks how brain activity, neural circuits, neurotransmitters, and hormones give rise to thoughts, feelings, and actions. For example, dopamine in reward pathways influences motivation; the amygdala and prefrontal cortex work together to regulate emotions and decision making; stress hormones can affect memory and attention. This approach directly links physiological processes to behavioral patterns and cognitive functions, which is exactly what the question is asking for. Other fields described emphasize clinical issues or development, or use slightly different terminology for similar ideas, but the core focus here is the biological underpinnings of behavior and mental life.