Why is it important for psychologists and therapist to understand and study basic human physiology?

Question

I am talking about psychologists who deal with neurons, nervous and endocrine system.

Answer 1

Before one can specialize on illness, one must know enough about how the system should work when healthy.

A human is a complex organism. Digestion can effect emotions, lack of sleep can damage logic, anxiety can appear as muscle twinges. Hormones, drugs and their side-effects can also interact in multiple organs. Everything is connected.

Understanding basic human physiology is an important part of both the diagnostics and the treatments. For a psychologist to know how the human body functions is about as important as a mechanic knowing the basics of the internal combustion engine.

Answer 2

Psychologists need to understand that the body affects the mind, big time, and that people are sensitive to problems with their bodies in ways that can only be understood if you know something about the normal and abnormal functions and configurations of the human body.

But I disagree that psychologists deal with neurons, nervous and endocrine systems. Those are neurologists. The intersection, neuro-psychology, is generally practiced by an MD. Psychologists are pretty exclusively dealing with behavior.

Answer 3

Biochemistry is the study of basic chemistry essential to understanding human physiology

Answer 4

I would imagine that they need to know the way the brain works and transmits and processes information if they are going to help heal a person with mental anxieties and issues,

Answer 5

There are biological bases for behavior and feelings.

Answer 6

chemicals in the brain, physical changes, can affect behavior.