What is a major problem in defining behavior as a neurological change?

Answer 1

Psychological Perspective

When looking at an area of the brain and its response to simple measurable behavior like motor control, such an objective may be easily defined. However, learned behavior is much more complex and it is not as easily defined relative to the patterns within the brain that achieve such behavior. These neurological, perhaps cellular, relationships are not universally established using the same pathways between subjects. Since behavior can be caused by a wide number of factors, and objectives may be accomplished differently within each subject's brain, objective measurement may not be easily defined.

There is not a simple, measurable relationship between a learned behavior and the portions of the brain that are stimulated to achieve such behavior. Even if such patterns could be witnessed, they would not be universally achieved between subjects. Third factors such as culture, environment, existing disorder, learning ability can affect variables that are intended to be measured.

We are limited to observation when defining behavior and it's relationship to neurological change. The DSM IV is a common mechanism used to identify specific behavior patterns and can identify patterns that are affected by neurological change. However, such definition and methods used to achieve measurement are limited to the witnessing of behavioral observation rather than measurement of cellular or neurological relationships. Such definitions are limited to language, communication with the client, and the observation of behavior, they do not associate any defined behavior with existing neurological relationships.

Sociological Perspective

We cannot ethically change a subject's brain to witness what happens. As a result, our research is limited to comparison of dysfunctional pattern of behavior and existing patterns of damage by locating subjects and following case patterns in larger populations. When making such comparison, there are several undetermined third variables in each case that can affect a hypothesis. In addition, the development of a specific hypothesis is limited to what can be ethically observed as the research effect must not bear a cost on the client. Observation may not bring an immediate result when seeking a specific hyptohesis and hundreds of cases may have to be examined to perform research.

Answer 2

A major problem is that not all neurological changes lead to observable behaviors, and not all behaviors are solely determined by neurological processes. Additionally, behaviors can be influenced by various factors beyond neurology, such as environment, culture, and learning.