BA-hormones, pheromones and behavior Flashcards
what are pheromones
-a chemical substance produced and emitted into the environment affecting behavior- sending messages of others of its own species
-important to remember that it is not clear that it is present in humans, evidence is weak
-in animals we see two types; primer pheromones (cause slow, long-term physiological changes) and signaling pheromones (produces rapid behavioral effects)
-in humans there is evidence for primer pheromones
how do pheromones are detected
-we think that there is a specialized structure in animal noses (VNO) that detects pheromones. This is connected to the hypothalamus of the brain, olfactory system, giving sense of smell.
-controversy on if humans have a VNO.
-part of structure remains and is lost in birth, if humans are affected by pheromones they are likely to be picked up through the olfactory system.
the two ‘pheromones’
two chemicals; (AND), (EST)
AND= found in male sweat and semen
EST= found in women urine
-believed that humans secrete chemicals through perspiration and are subconsciously detected by olfactory system.
what to include in theory of pheromones
-what it is
-how its not clear its fully true
-two types of pheromones
-how/where it is detected
-the two example pheromones, where found.
zhou et al description
AIM= to see effect of AND and EST on heterosexual and homosexual males and females.
PARTICIPANTS= 4 groups (healthy) 24; straight males; 24 straight females 24; gay males and 24; bi or gay females.
METHOD=participants presented with a point walker task, dots that move in human motion. Participants asked to observe stick figure in motion and state its sex. Performed task three consecutive days while being exposed to either AND mixed with cloves, EST mixed with cloves or control solution, with cloves. Tasks carried out while smelling diff solution each day.
RESULTS=straight women and gay males exposed to AND had higher rate of identifying stick figure are masculine. AND had no significant effect on straight men and gay women. When smelling EST, straight men perceived stick figures more feminine.
CONCLUSION= pheromones influence communication of gender information.
evaluation of Zhou et al
STRENGTHS=
-cause and effect relationship between variables can be established
-standardized procedures makes study replicable and increases reliability
-control variables (cloves)
WEAKNESSES=
-participants exposed to high levels of pheromones, don’t represent everyday concentrations
-oversimplified measure of sexual behavior-not clear study of effect of sexual odor on behavior
-criticized for not identifying all possible sexual choices- could affect results.
hare et al description (contains hypothesis)
AIM=study the effect of pheromones and AND and EST as a sexual attraction signal.
PARTICIPANTS= 43 and 51 males asked to complete two computer-based tasks twice, on two separate days. double blind study.
method=participants asked to indicate gender of 5 gender-neutral facial images. Second test was to rate how attractive the face was. Third task was to rate how likely they thought they would be to cheat on their partner. repeated these tests on two days. One with control scent, second to either AND or EST
HYPOTHESIZED=if it was pheromones, females who has been exposed to AND, more likely to rate faces more male, and in second task more attractive. Men exposed to EST, same judgment, opposite sex.
RESULTS= exposure to EST and AND did not affect results
CONCLUSION=two chemicals weren’t influencing how attractive they found the opposite sex
evaluation of hare et al
STRENGTHS=
under standardized procedures, double blind reduced researcher bias.
WEAKNESS=
-low ecological validity; artificial procedure, gender recognition is based on interaction, conc of pheromones in real life is different
findings of research and critical thinking of pheremones.
-research based on lab experiments, artificial oversimplified measure of sexual attraction
-conc of pheromones is much higher then in real life
-research is reductionist, ignores complex interaction of cognitive and social-cultural factors
-certain smells may be affected by cultural factors
-smells are not necessarily pheromones
-difficult to replicate, reliability is questionable
-inability to eliminate affects of other variables like bacteria perfumes that influence human scent
Hormones theory
-are a class of chemicals that affect behavior.
-produced by glands in endocrine system
-released directly into the blood system, and take longer to produce changes in behavior, effects last longer.
-only produce reaction ins in certain cells (target cells) which increases or decreases its function.
exploring; cortisol and adrenaline
theory of cortisol
-hormone produced in adrenal glands
-referred to as stress hormone, but does not CAUSE stress
-function is to increase glucose in the blood and increase metabolism for fats proteins carbs to provide energy for flight or flight response.
-also return body to state of homeostasis
-chronic stress= prolonger cortisol secretion=physiological damages
ON MEMORY= moderate levels help consolidation and retrieval of memory
high levels impair memory retrieval and lead to hippocampus damage
adrenaline theory
-hormone that activates fight or flight response
-hormone that triggers other hormones
-adrenaline release is part of the HPA axis.
=when stimulus threatened us, hypothalamus activated pituitary gland, which releases hormone that activates adrenal gland and as a result both adrenaline and cortisol are released into the bloodstream
ON MEMORY= through to play a role in emotional memory. When adrenaline reaches the brain, it activates the amygdala (plays an important role in emotion aspects of memory) and attaches emotional significance to neutral stimuli
what to include in theory of hormones
-what is it
-where its produced
-effects
-cortisol’’’’
-adrenaline’’’’
both affects on memory
Newcomer et al study description
Newcomer et al study evaluation
