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Biological approach Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Biological Theory in psychology?

A

The Biological Theory suggests that behavior, emotions, and thoughts are influenced by biological factors such as genetics, brain structure, neurotransmitters, and hormones.

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2
Q

What is the focus of Biological Psychology?

A

It studies the physiological and genetic basis of behavior, including the brain’s role in cognition and emotions.

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3
Q

What are some key areas of research in Biological Psychology?

A

Brain structures, neurotransmitters, hormones, genetics, and the nervous system.

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4
Q

What methods are used in Biological Psychology research?

A

Brain scans (fMRI, EEG, PET), genetic studies, case studies, and experiments on animals and humans.

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5
Q

What is the nature vs. nurture debate in Biological Psychology?

A

It explores whether behavior is primarily influenced by genetics (nature) or environment and experience (nurture).

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6
Q

Who conducted the study on REM sleep and dreaming?

A

Dement & Kleitman (1957).

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7
Q

What was the aim of Dement & Kleitman’s (1957) study?

A

To investigate the relationship between REM sleep and dreaming.

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8
Q

What research method did Dement & Kleitman (1957) use?

A

A laboratory experiment with EEG recordings and self-reports.

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9
Q

What were the key findings of Dement & Kleitman (1957)?

A

REM sleep is strongly associated with dreaming, and eye movement patterns are linked to dream content.

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10
Q

What was the significance of Dement & Kleitman’s (1957) study?

A

It provided scientific evidence for the connection between REM sleep and dreaming, supporting sleep cycle theories.

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11
Q

What are the strengths of Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

High control over variables, objective EEG measurements, and groundbreaking research on sleep.

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12
Q

What are the weaknesses of Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

Low ecological validity (artificial sleep setting), small sample size, and reliance on self-reports.

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13
Q

What was the aim of Hassett et al. (2008)?

A

To investigate sex differences in toy preferences among rhesus monkeys.

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14
Q

Why did Hassett et al. (2008) use monkeys in their study?

A

To examine whether toy preferences are biologically influenced rather than shaped by socialization.

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15
Q

What were the key findings of Hassett et al. (2008)?

A

Male monkeys preferred wheeled toys, while female monkeys played with plush toys more, similar to human children.

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16
Q

What do the results of Hassett et al. (2008) suggest?

A

Sex differences in toy preference may have a biological basis rather than being purely socially constructed.

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17
Q

What is the significance of Hassett et al.’s study?

A

It challenges the assumption that gendered toy preferences are entirely due to cultural influences.

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18
Q

What are the strengths of Hassett et al.’s study?

A

Controlled experiment, use of a non-human model to reduce cultural influence, and strong support for biological explanations of behavior.

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19
Q

What are the weaknesses of Hassett et al.’s study?

A

Limited generalizability to humans, small sample size, and ethical concerns over animal research.

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20
Q

What was the aim of Hölzel et al. (2011)?

A

To investigate the effects of mindfulness meditation on brain structure.

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21
Q

What research method did Hölzel et al. (2011) use?

A

A longitudinal study using MRI scans before and after an 8-week meditation program.

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22
Q

What were the key findings of Hölzel et al. (2011)?

A

Participants who practiced mindfulness showed increased gray matter density in brain regions related to memory, learning, and emotional regulation.

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23
Q

What is the significance of Hölzel et al.’s study?

A

It provides biological evidence that mindfulness meditation can physically change the brain.

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24
Q

What brain regions showed increased gray matter in Hölzel et al. (2011)?

A

The hippocampus, posterior cingulate cortex, and cerebellum.

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25
Q

What are the strengths of Hölzel et al.’s study?

A

Objective MRI measurements, strong evidence for neuroplasticity, and real-world applications in mental health treatment.

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26
Q

What are the weaknesses of Hölzel et al.’s study?

A

Small sample size, potential placebo effects, and lack of long-term follow-up.

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27
Q

How do the three studies relate to the Biological Theory?

A

Each study provides evidence for biological influences on behavior—Dement & Kleitman on sleep, Hassett et al. on gendered behavior, and Hölzel et al. on neuroplasticity.

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28
Q

What does the Biological Theory suggest about sleep and dreaming?

A

Sleep patterns, including REM cycles, are controlled by the brain and influence cognitive functions like memory and emotions.

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29
Q

What does the Biological Theory suggest about gender differences?

A

Hormonal and neurological differences may contribute to sex-based behavioral preferences.

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30
Q

What does the Biological Theory suggest about meditation and the brain?

A

Mindfulness practice can lead to physical changes in brain structure, affecting cognition and emotional regulation.

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31
Q

How do these studies support the Biological Approach?

A

They provide empirical evidence that biological factors influence behavior, cognition, and emotions.

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32
Q

How do these studies differ in their methodologies?

A

Dement & Kleitman used lab experiments, Hassett et al. used animal studies, and Hölzel et al. used MRI scans in a longitudinal study.

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33
Q

Why is the Biological Theory important in psychology?

A

It helps explain behavior in terms of brain function, genetics, and physiological processes, leading to practical applications in medicine and therapy.

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34
Q
A
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35
Q

What was the aim of Dement & Kleitman’s (1957) study?

A

To investigate the relationship between REM sleep and dreaming, and to test whether eye movement patterns were related to dream content.

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36
Q

What research method did Dement & Kleitman (1957) use?

A

A laboratory experiment using polysomnography (EEG) to measure brain activity and self-reports from participants.

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37
Q

What was the sample size of Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

Nine adult participants (7 males, 2 females) from the University of Chicago.

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38
Q

What were the key findings of Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

Dreaming was significantly more likely to occur during REM sleep (80%) than NREM sleep (9%), and eye movement patterns were linked to dream content.

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39
Q

What was the procedure used in Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

Participants were asked to sleep in a controlled lab, where EEG electrodes recorded their brain waves. They were woken at different stages and asked if they had been dreaming and to describe their dreams.

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40
Q

How did Dement & Kleitman measure dream recall?

A

Participants were woken up during REM or NREM sleep and asked if they had been dreaming, along with an estimate of how long they had been dreaming.

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41
Q

What did Dement & Kleitman conclude about eye movements and dreaming?

A

Eye movements during REM sleep corresponded with dream content (e.g., vertical movements for climbing, horizontal for watching tennis).

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42
Q

What are the strengths of Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

High control of variables (e.g., sleep schedule, waking participants at specific times), objective EEG data, and pioneering research on sleep cycles.

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43
Q

What are the weaknesses of Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

Low ecological validity (sleeping in a lab), small sample size, and reliance on self-reports, which could introduce bias.

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44
Q

What is the real-world application of Dement & Kleitman’s findings?

A

Understanding REM sleep has led to advances in sleep disorder treatments, such as narcolepsy and insomnia research.

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45
Q

What was the aim of Hassett et al. (2008)?

A

To investigate whether toy preferences in rhesus monkeys reflect biological influences rather than social learning.

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46
Q

What was the sample used in Hassett et al. (2008)?

A

A group of young rhesus monkeys, both male and female.

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47
Q

What method did Hassett et al. use?

A

A controlled experiment where monkeys were given a choice between stereotypically ‘male’ (wheeled) and ‘female’ (plush) toys.

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48
Q

What were the key results of Hassett et al. (2008)?

A

Male monkeys preferred wheeled toys, while female monkeys showed more interest in plush toys, similar to human children.

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49
Q

What was the conclusion of Hassett et al. (2008)?

A

Sex differences in toy preferences may have a biological basis rather than being entirely due to social influences.

50
Q

What is a strength of Hassett et al.’s study?

A

The use of non-human primates eliminates cultural and social biases, providing strong biological evidence for gendered behavior.

51
Q

What is a weakness of Hassett et al.’s study?

A

Findings may not fully generalize to humans, and ethical concerns exist about using animals in research.

52
Q

What are the real-world applications of Hassett et al.’s findings?

A

The study challenges traditional views on gender socialization, suggesting that some gendered behaviors may be innate rather than learned.

53
Q

What was the aim of Hölzel et al. (2011)?

A

To investigate the effects of mindfulness meditation on brain structure using MRI scans.

54
Q

What was the research design of Hölzel et al. (2011)?

A

A longitudinal study with pre- and post-training MRI scans of participants who completed an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program.

55
Q

What were the key results of Hölzel et al. (2011)?

A

Participants who practiced mindfulness showed increased gray matter density in the hippocampus, posterior cingulate cortex, and cerebellum.

56
Q

What is the significance of Hölzel et al.’s findings?

A

The study provides biological evidence that mindfulness meditation can lead to physical changes in the brain, supporting the idea of neuroplasticity.

57
Q

What areas of the brain were affected in Hölzel et al.’s study?

A

The hippocampus (learning & memory), posterior cingulate cortex (self-referential processing), and cerebellum (motor control & cognition).

58
Q

What is a strength of Hölzel et al.’s study?

A

Objective MRI scans provide strong empirical support for neuroplasticity and mindfulness-based interventions.

59
Q

What is a weakness of Hölzel et al.’s study?

A

Small sample size, possible placebo effects, and lack of long-term follow-up to measure sustained brain changes.

60
Q

How does Hölzel et al.’s study support neuroplasticity?

A

It demonstrates that practicing mindfulness can physically alter brain structure, suggesting that behavior can influence biology.

61
Q

What are the real-world applications of Hölzel et al.’s findings?

A

Mindfulness-based therapies are now widely used in mental health treatments, such as for anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

62
Q

How do the three studies support the Biological Approach?

A

Each study provides evidence that biological factors (brain activity, hormones, genetics) play a key role in behavior.

63
Q

What is a common limitation among the three studies?

A

Small sample sizes limit generalizability, and controlled settings may reduce ecological validity.

64
Q

How do the three studies differ in their methodologies?

A

Dement & Kleitman used lab-based EEG recordings, Hassett et al. used observational animal studies, and Hölzel et al. used MRI scans in a longitudinal study.

65
Q

Which study provides the most direct evidence for biological changes in the brain?

A

Hölzel et al. (2011), as it uses MRI scans to show structural changes in gray matter after mindfulness training.

66
Q

Which study has the highest ecological validity?

A

Hassett et al. (2008), since the behavior of monkeys with toys closely mirrors natural behaviors.

67
Q

Which study is most useful for sleep research?

A

Dement & Kleitman (1957), as it was foundational in understanding the link between REM sleep and dreaming.

68
Q

Which study challenges the idea that gender roles are purely social?

A

Hassett et al. (2008), as it suggests biological influences on toy preferences in male and female monkeys.

69
Q

Which study has been influential in therapy and mental health research?

A

Hölzel et al. (2011), as it supports mindfulness-based interventions for improving mental health.

70
Q

Which study has the strongest control over variables?

A

Dement & Kleitman (1957), as it used a laboratory setting to control factors such as sleep schedule and waking times.

71
Q

Which study had the largest sample size?

A

Hölzel et al. (2011), but it was still relatively small, which is a limitation of the research.

72
Q

What do all three studies suggest about the relationship between biology and behavior?

A

They all demonstrate that biological processes, including brain activity, genetics, and neuroplasticity, have a significant impact on behavior.

73
Q

What ethical issues are relevant to Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

The study had minimal ethical concerns, but sleep deprivation from frequent awakenings could have caused discomfort.

74
Q

How did Dement & Kleitman ensure objective data collection?

A

They used EEG recordings to measure brain activity, providing objective and quantifiable data on sleep stages.

75
Q

What did Dement & Kleitman’s study reveal about REM sleep cycles?

A

REM sleep cycles occurred approximately every 90 minutes, supporting later research on the sleep cycle.

76
Q

What was a key limitation in Dement & Kleitman’s sample?

A

It was small (only 9 participants), making it difficult to generalize findings to the wider population.

77
Q

What improvements could be made to Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

A larger and more diverse sample, along with testing different sleep environments for higher ecological validity.

78
Q

How does Hassett et al.’s study challenge the idea that toy preferences are socially learned?

A

It shows that male and female monkeys display distinct toy preferences despite lacking cultural influences.

79
Q

Why is the use of monkeys in Hassett et al.’s study significant?

A

It allows researchers to study gendered behavior without the influence of human socialization.

80
Q

What criticisms exist regarding the use of animals in Hassett et al.’s study?

A

Ethical concerns regarding the treatment of animals and questions about how well results generalize to humans.

81
Q

What are alternative explanations for the results of Hassett et al.?

A

Hormonal differences in monkeys may drive toy preferences, rather than an innate preference for ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ toys.

82
Q

How could Hassett et al.’s study be improved?

A

A larger sample and observations in different contexts to rule out environmental influences.

83
Q

What does Hölzel et al.’s study contribute to neuroscience?

A

It provides empirical evidence that mindfulness practice leads to physical changes in brain structure.

84
Q

What kind of brain scans were used in Hölzel et al.’s study?

A

MRI scans before and after an 8-week mindfulness training program.

85
Q

What was the significance of increased gray matter density in the hippocampus?

A

It suggests that mindfulness practice improves memory and emotional regulation.

86
Q

How does Hölzel et al. (2011) support the idea of neuroplasticity?

A

It shows that the brain can change structurally in response to behavioral interventions like meditation.

87
Q

What was a potential confounding variable in Hölzel et al.’s study?

A

Participants may have experienced psychological benefits from expectancy effects rather than actual brain changes.

88
Q

How could Hölzel et al.’s study be made more rigorous?

A

Including a control group that practices a different relaxation technique to compare results.

89
Q

What are the long-term implications of Hölzel et al.’s findings?

A

They support mindfulness-based therapies as an effective treatment for stress-related disorders.

90
Q

Which of the three studies is most relevant to clinical psychology?

A

Hölzel et al. (2011) due to its applications in mental health treatments.

91
Q

Which of the three studies is most relevant to developmental psychology?

A

Hassett et al. (2008), as it explores the biological basis of gendered behavior in early development.

92
Q

Which study is most relevant to physiological psychology?

A

Dement & Kleitman (1957), as it examines the biological processes of sleep and dreaming.

93
Q

What common conclusion can be drawn from all three studies?

A

Biological factors play a crucial role in human behavior, whether in sleep, gender differences, or mindfulness.

94
Q

How does the biological approach differ from the cognitive approach in psychology?

A

The biological approach focuses on physiological mechanisms, while the cognitive approach examines mental processes.

95
Q

What is an alternative explanation for Dement & Kleitman’s results?

A

Dream recall may be influenced by the act of waking up rather than the sleep stage itself.

96
Q

How do the three studies demonstrate the interaction between biology and behavior?

A

They show how biological factors (sleep cycles, hormones, brain structure) influence behavior, but also how behavior (meditation) can affect biology.

97
Q

Which study provides the strongest experimental control?

A

Dement & Kleitman (1957), due to its controlled sleep environment and objective EEG measurements.

98
Q

Which study provides the most ecological validity?

A

Hassett et al. (2008), as monkeys were free to interact naturally with the toys.

99
Q

Which study has the strongest real-world applications?

A

Hölzel et al. (2011), as it has influenced the widespread use of mindfulness in psychological therapy.

100
Q

What did Dement & Kleitman’s study contribute to modern sleep research?

A

It was one of the first studies to link REM sleep with dreaming, laying the foundation for sleep disorder treatments.

101
Q

What alternative explanations exist for Hassett et al.’s findings?

A

Environmental factors (e.g., toy shape or texture) could influence preference, rather than biological sex differences.

102
Q

How does Hölzel et al. support the biopsychosocial model?

A

It shows that biological changes in the brain can result from psychological interventions (mindfulness) and social influences (therapy).

103
Q

What further research could be conducted based on Hassett et al.’s findings?

A

Studies on whether similar gendered toy preferences appear in other primate species.

104
Q

What is one limitation of using self-report methods in Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

Participants’ dream recall may not be accurate, leading to potential response bias.

105
Q

How do individual differences affect the results of Dement & Kleitman’s study?

A

Some people naturally recall dreams more often than others, which could influence findings.

106
Q

What are practical implications of Hölzel et al.’s study for education?

A

Mindfulness programs in schools may improve students’ focus, memory, and stress management.

107
Q

How could a future study build on Dement & Kleitman’s findings?

A

Using modern brain imaging techniques like fMRI to analyze dream activity in more detail.

108
Q

Which study provides the most empirical support for a purely biological explanation of behavior?

A

Hassett et al. (2008), as it eliminates human cultural influences by studying non-human primates.

109
Q

How do all three studies relate to the nature vs. nurture debate?

A

They support the idea that biological factors strongly influence behavior but also show that behavior (like meditation) can change the brain.

110
Q

Which study challenges the assumption that psychology is purely a social science?

A

Dement & Kleitman (1957), as it focuses on physiological measurements of sleep.

111
Q

How could the findings from Hassett et al. be applied to discussions of gender development?

A

They suggest that gendered behaviors have a biological component, influencing debates on whether gender roles are entirely socially constructed.

112
Q

Which of the three studies is the most replicable?

A

Dement & Kleitman (1957), because EEG recordings provide objective, measurable data.

113
Q

What aspect of Dement & Kleitman’s study reduces demand characteristics?

A

Participants were unaware of when they would be woken up, reducing the likelihood of altered responses.

114
Q

What future research could be conducted based on Hölzel et al.’s findings?

A

Longitudinal studies to determine whether mindfulness-induced brain changes persist over time.

115
Q

How does Hassett et al.’s study contribute to evolutionary psychology?

A

It supports the idea that gendered behaviors may have evolutionary roots, rather than being purely cultural.

116
Q

Which study would be most relevant to studying the biological basis of stress?

A

Hölzel et al. (2011), as it examines the impact of mindfulness on brain structures related to stress regulation.

117
Q

How does Dement & Kleitman’s study relate to modern sleep disorder treatments?

A

It contributed to understanding REM sleep cycles, which is crucial in diagnosing and treating conditions like narcolepsy and insomnia.

118
Q

Which of the three studies provides the best evidence for neuroplasticity?

A

Hölzel et al. (2011), as it directly demonstrates structural brain changes due to mindfulness practice.

119
Q

Which study’s results could be influenced by confounding variables like social learning?

A

Hassett et al. (2008), as even monkeys may have been exposed to minor environmental influences.

120
Q

Which of the three studies most directly examines brain structure?

A

Hölzel et al. (2011), as it used MRI scans to measure changes in gray matter density.

psychology (11 decks)

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