Biological Approach - Terminology

Question 1

Experiment

Answer 1

A study conducted that investigates the direct effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable.

Question 2

Field experiment

Answer 2

A research method that takes place in a natural, real-world setting

Question 3

Quasi experiment

Answer 3

It aims to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between an IV and DV. However, the subjects are assigned based on non-random criteria.

Question 4

Natural Experiment

Answer 4

Same as quasi - there is no deliberate manipulation of a variable; it is simply measuring the effect of something already happening.

Question 5

Observation

Answer 5

Careful, close examination of an object, process, or other phenomenon for the purpose of collecting data about it or drawing conclusions.

Question 6

Case study

Answer 6

An in-depth investigation of a sinlge person (or small group of people), often long periods of time.

Question 7

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 7

Consists of the brain and the spinal cord. It is the body’s processing center.

Question 8

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 8

It is comprised of all the neurons in the body except the neurons of the brain and spina cord. It assists the CNS. It is involved in the relay of sensory and motor information to and from the CNS.

Question 9

Localization of function

Answer 9

The theory that specific behaviours may have their origin in specific parts of the brain.

Question 10

Hippocampus

Answer 10

Part of the limbic system, appears to play a key role in the consolidation of memory from short-term to long-term, and a key role in spatial navigation. - It has several acetylcholine receptor sites. + Hippocampal cell loss plays a role in dementia.

Question 11

Amygdala

Answer 11

Part of the limbic system, believed to play a key role in emotion and memory. And there is evidence that it plays a role in aggression, sexual orientation, and alcoholism.

Question 12

Neurotransmitter

Answer 12

A chemical messenger that carries signals between neurons. They are released from the terminal buttons at the end of an axon after the action potential has sent an electric charge down the neuron. The neurotransmitter then crosses the synaptic gap to reach the receptor site on another neuron.

Question 13

Serotonin

Answer 13

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that wokrs to regulate mood, apetite, and sleep. Low levels: aggression and depression, high levels: hallucinations

Question 14

Acetylcholine

Answer 14

The most common excitatory neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine receptor sites are found in the hippocampus. Appears to play a key role in memory consolidation from STM to LTM.

Question 15

GABA

Answer 15

An inhibitory neurotransmitter. Its main purpose is to regulate anxiety, vision and motor control. Low levels: poor impulse control.

Question 16

Neurotransmission

Answer 16

A process of neurons sending and recieving neurotransmitters to one another.

Question 17

Dendrite

Answer 17

The branch-like thing that connects with other neurons’ axons.

Question 18

Axon

Answer 18

The extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons.

Question 19

Synapse

Answer 19

A small gap between two neurons, where impulses are relayed by a neurotransmitter from the axon of a presynaptic neuron to the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron.

Question 20

Receptor

Answer 20

Receives neurotransmitters on the postsynaptic cell.

Question 21

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

Answer 21

A neurotransmitter decreases the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential. This depends on the receptor site. Many neurotransmitters are inhibtory when they act on some receptor sites, and excitatory on others. For example, serotnin is inhibitory when involved in emotion and mood, but excitatory when involved in sleep and wakefulness. Another example is GABA.

Question 22

Excitatory neurotransmitter

Answer 22

A neurotransmitter that increases the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential. Same as inhibtory, their funtion depends on the receptor. For example, acetylcholine.

Question 23

Agonist

Answer 23

Achemical or drug that binds to receptors in the brain and causes a reaction. Agonists can occur naturally in the body as neurotransmitters (endogenous agonists) or come from exterior sources (exogenous agonists). They increase the effect of the neurotransmitter. Heroin, opium, and morphine are all agonists.

Question 24

Antagonist

Answer 24

A chemical or drug that binds to receptors in the brain and prevents a neurotransmitter from having an effect on behaviour. For example, scopolamine is an antagonist for acetylcholine.

Question 25

Neuroplasticity

Answer 25

The brain’s ability to alter its own structure following changes within the body or in the external environment.

Question 26

Neural pruning

Answer 26

Usually referred to as synaptic pruning, it refers to the process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated in order to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.

Question 27

Long term potentiation (LTP)

Answer 27

A persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.

Question 28

Neural network

Answer 28

Usually called a neural circuit, a group of neurons interconnected by synapses to carry out a specific function when activated.

Question 29

Hormone

Answer 29

A chemical released by a gland directly into the bloodstream which has an effect on behaviour.

Question 30

Endocrine system

Answer 30

The name given to the various glands throughout the body that regulate and release hormones.

Question 31

Dopamine

Answer 31

A neurotransmitter that helps control the brains reward and pleasure centers and helps regulate emotional responses. Low levels: Parkinsons + low levels of receptor sites: more prone to addiction. Can be excitatory or inhibitory.

Question 32

Oxytocin

Answer 32

A hormone produced by the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland. It plays a role in social recognition, pair bonding, and maternal attachment- Referred to as the ”love hormone”. Evidence that it promotes trust and empathy in in-groups.

Question 33

Adrenaline

Answer 33

A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. It stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, and prepares the body for fight or flight.

Question 34

Testosterone

Answer 34

The male sex hormone. It is secreted by the testes in males and ovaries in females.

Question 35

Placebo

Answer 35

A substance that has no therapeutic effect, and is used as a control in testing new drugs.

Question 36

Pheromone

Answer 36

A chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal affecting the behaviour or physiology of others of its own species.

Question 37

Vomeronasal organ

Answer 37

It connects to a special region in the brain called the accessory olfactory bulb in mammals. This is where pheremones are thought to be processed.

Question 38

Areolar glands

Answer 38

Believed to produce a nipple secretion by all lactating mothers, which stimulates sucking by any baby not just their own.

Question 39

MRI

Answer 39

Magnetic resonance imaging; uses a magnetic field and radio waves in order to create a detailed 3d or 2D images on the inside of the body. It realigns hydrogen atoms inside the body temporarily using the magnetic field. Shows the structure of the brain.

Question 40

FMRI

Answer 40

Functional magnetic resonance imaging; a brain scanning technique that measures blood flow in the brain when a person performs a task. Records on going brain activity.

Question 41

Reductionist approach

Answer 41

Analyzing a complex behavious by studying the simplest, most basic mechanisms that are believed to be responsible for the behaviour.

Question 42

Genetic inheritance

Answer 42

The process by which genetic information is passed on from parent to child.

Question 43

Genes effect on behaviour

Answer 43

The manner in which geentic variance affects psychologyical phenotypes (traits), including cognitive abilities, personality, mental illness, and social attitudes.

Question 44

Allele

Answer 44

Alternative forms of a gene

Question 45

5-HTT trasnporter gene

Answer 45

Responsible for reuptake of serotonin

Question 46

Family studies

Answer 46

Studies in which research assess hereditary influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble each other on a specific trait.

Question 47

Twin studies

Answer 47

Measure the concordance rates a particular trait across the two different types of twins - ideal for genetic similarly for one behaviour among twins, siblings, parent and adopted children and establish a genetic argument for the origin of human research using correlational research.

Question 48

Mono-zygotic twins

Answer 48

Identical twins formed when one fertilized egg splits and forms two embryos.

Question 49

Di-zygotic twins

Answer 49

Occurs when two effs each get fertilized by two different sperm, resulting in two zygotes in the uterus at the same time.

Question 50

Shared environment

Answer 50

Refers to common experiences between siblings such as living conditions.

Question 51

Non-shared environment

Answer 51

Aspects of an environment that individuals living together do not share and that therefore cause them to become dissimilar to each other.

Question 52

IQ (intelligence quotinent)

Answer 52

A standard measure of an individual’s intelligence level based on psychological tests.

Question 53

Socio-economic status

Answer 53

An ecnomic and social combined total measure of a person’s economic and social position in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation.

Question 54

Evolutionary theory

Answer 54

The habits and cognitive traits that helped your ancestors survive have likely been passed down through the generations until making their way to you.

Question 55

Natural selection

Answer 55

The idea that members of a species that survive competition and breed will have characteristics better suited to the environment and are more likely to pass on these traits.

Question 56

Biological preparedness

Answer 56

The idea that people and animals are inherintly inclined to form associations between certain stimuli and responses. This concept plays an important role in learning.