In my psychology class, my professor told us that there were 3 important factors that help measure the behavior and mental levels of a person. They are cognitive, biological, and cultural. I fully understand the cultural points, however could you please help me understand how cognitive and biological factors play a role?

-- Stephanie Marie Yuma (steph_yuma892@hotmail.com), October 04, 2003

Answers

I guess I don't understand what you don't understand. One cognitive factor is intelligence. Intelligence tests "help measure the behavior and mental levels of a person." One biological factor health. Assessments of health can be used to help do this to as well. For instance, brain damage (a kind of non-health) would have an impact on a person's "behavior and mental level."

-- Christopher Green (christo@yorku.ca), October 07, 2003.

Cognition contributes to the frames of thought that are continuing to develop throughout ones life that have a bearing on a persons behaviour. Whereas, cultural influences are social frameworks of thought that influence behaviour. The relationship between individual thought and social norms then produces individual resultant behavior. Thus, these are some of the variables that must be considered in behavioral measurement. However, biological influences are the vehicle through which thought is converted into action or behavior. There are many variables when considering the biological component of behavior everything from hormonal variables to motor related variables which include neurological influences.

-- Denis Jenkins (denisjen@ailcd.com.au), October 15, 2003.