Final answer:
Biopsychology uses knowledge of physiology, especially the nervous system, to explain behaviors and mental processes using empirical research methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The psychological perspective that uses knowledge about underlying physiology to explain behavior and mental processes is known as biopsychology. This field seeks to understand how the biology of the body, particularly the nervous system, influences our behavior and mental experiences. Biopsychology combines empirical methods, including observation and experimentation, to discover the physiological basis for behavior. One of the crucial components investigated by biopsychologists is the central nervous system and its interaction with the peripheral nervous system.
Biopsychologists employ various research strategies, from simple observations to in-depth interviews and controlled experiments, to understand the biological mechanisms that underlie behavior. This approach to psychology also intersects with areas like cognitive psychology, which relates to how our thoughts influence our experiences and actions, and evolutionary psychology, which explores how our behavior is influenced by the process of evolution.
The scientific appeal of biopsychology lies in its basis in observable, measurable phenomena that can be systematically tested, distinguishing it from approaches that focus on less measurable phenomena like the psychodynamic approach. This enables the field to contribute empirical evidence to the broader psychological community on how biological factors, including genetics and the structure and function of the nervous system, impact physiological and psychological traits.