Biological Approach: Hormones and Pheromones & Behaviour Flashcards
Hormones
Chemicals that are secreted by glands in the endocrine system. They take longer to produce changes in behaviour than neurotransmitters, but their effects last longer.
Process of Hormones
Hormones travel through the bloodstream to reach target cells. They bind to receptors in these cells and either increase or decrease its activity.
Endocrine system
Network of glands that produce and release hormones, which act as chemical messengers to regulate various bodily functions
Adrenaline
- Secreted by the adrenal glands
- Responsible for arousal and ‘flight or fight’ response
- Plays a role in emotional memory formation
Cortisol
- Secreted by the adrenal glands
- Helps control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, reduce inflammation
- Assists with memory formation
- Helps the body respond to stress or danger
Fight or Flight Response (FOFR)
- Activated by adrenaline
- It’s considered a hormone cascade [hormones trigger more hormones]
- Release of adrenaline is part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis)
- Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration
How Fight or Flight Response Activated
In response to a threatening stimulus:
Hypothalamus sends a message to the pituitary gland
→ Pituitary gland releases hormones into bloodstream which travels to adrenal gland
→ Adrenal gland releases cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol dumps glucose into the bloodstream to provide energy. Adrenaline increases heart rate, blood pressure and respiration
→ Body decide to fight or flight
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
Nerve cells spread throughout the body that transmit information from the organs, glands, and muscles to and from the Central Nervous System - brain
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)?
Also called the skeletal nervous system, it connects skeletal muscles with the Central Nervous System, enabling voluntary muscle movements
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Network of nerves that links the Central Nervous System with the body’s internal organs, involved with the control of self-regulating organs and glands
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
Activates fight or flight response. It dilates pupils, increases heartbeat, relaxes airways, inhibits stomach activity, stimulates glucose release, and secretes adrenaline
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Activates the rest and digest response. It’s reengaged to calms the body down after realizing it is not in danger by constricting pupils, slowing heartbeat, constricting airways, stimulating stomach activity, and inhibiting glucose release
Flashbulb Memory
A vivid and detailed recollection about a momentous event (particularly personal experiences that have strong emotional aspects)
Creation of Flashbulb Memories
Experience of an emotional event –(adrenaline released)→ Activation of the amygdala [emotion center] -(adrenaline facilitates communication)→ Activation of hippocampus
Effect of Cortisol on Memories
High levels of cortisol appears to play a role in hippocampal impairment by interfering with the consolidation of memory while moderate levels of cortisol actually helps in the consolidation and retrieval of memories
Pheromones
Chemical substances produced and released into the environment by an animal affecting the behavior or physiology of others of its own species. They play a significant role in signaling between members of the same species among non-human animals
Primer Pheromones
Cause slow, long-term physiological changes, such as hormonal effects
Signaling Pheromones
Produce rapid behavioral effects, such as mating
Androstadienone (AND)
A chemical found in male semen and sweat that heightens sympathetic arousal, alters levels of cortisol, and promotes positive mood state in females. It activates hypothalamus in heterosexual females and homosexual males, but not in hetero males or homo females
Estratetraenol (EST)?
A chemical found in female urine and is the female equivalent of Androstadienone
