Biological Approach: Neurotransmitters & Behavior

Question 1

Synaptic Vesicles

Answer 1

Sacs in the terminal area that release chemicals into synaptic space.

Question 2

Neurotransmitters

Answer 2

Synaptic vesicles release chemicals that send information.

Question 3

Receptor Sites

Answer 3

Location on receptor neurons for specific neurotransmitters.

Question 4

Reuptake

Answer 4

When the sending neuron reabsorbs the chemicals for reuse.

Question 5

Serotonin Theory

Answer 5

Individuals with depression have low levels of serotonin. This chemical is linked to mood and appetite.
- The receptors take serotonin early.

Question 6

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Answer 6

They excite connecting neurons and cause them to fire.

Question 7

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Answer 7

Inhibiting or preventing the next neuron from firing (e.g., GABA); preventing seizures and overstimulation.

Question 8

Crockett et al. (2010)

Answer 8

• Investigates the effect of serotonin on prosocial behavior.
• 30 healthy subjects (average age of 26) were recruited as a sample of volunteers. The design was a counterbalanced, double-blind study.
• Researchers concluded that serotonin reduces the acceptability of personal harm and, in this way, promotes prosocial behavior.
• Limitation: Cialopram intake induced slight nausea, so it is impossible to estimate how much this might have influenced the results.

Question 9

Fisher, Aron, and Brown (2005)

Answer 9

• Investigate the neural mechanisms of romantic love.
• All participants were placed in an fMRI scanner and engaged in a standardized procedure involving looking at photographs while their brains were being scanned.
• Activation was observed in dopamine-rich neural systems, primarily the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and caudate nucleus.
• Dopamine activity in the brain plays a role in romantic love.