BIOLOGICAL: Canli et al Flashcards
what was the aim?
whether the amygdala is sensitive to varying levels of emotional intensity
whether the level of intensity enhances memory
what is an fMRI?
a machine that measure brain activity
what is the amygdala?
a almond shaped set of neurons located in the temporal lobe. it is responsible for emotions such as fear and anger and stores memory
what was the research method and design?
lab experiment
fMRI scanner
repeated measure
what was the sample?
10 right handed healthy females
volunteer sampling
why were females chosen?
as they are more likely to report intense emotional experiences and show more physiological reactions
what was the independent variable?
the emotional intensity of the 96 scenes
what was the dependent variable?
activation of amygdala (measured by fMRI scanner)
measure of memory (recognition task)
what was the procedure of the first part of the study?
informed consent was given
participants viewed 96 scenes from the International Affective Picture System inside an fMRI scanner via an overhead projector and mirror
head movement was limited using a bite-bar (control)
fMRI administers were all professionals
order of scenes were randomized to avoid order effects
scenes were 1.17 to 5.44 in valence
each picture was presented for 2.88 seconds with a 12.96 seconds interval where participants view a fixation cross
during these 12.96 seconds, participants had to rate the photo’s emotional intensity on a scale of 0-3
what was the procedure of the second part of the study?
3 weeks later participants were given an unexpected recognition test in the lab
they viewed the 96 scenes they saw before and 48 foils (matched in valence)
they were asked if they had seen each picture before
if yes, they were asked whether they remember it certainly or just know it and feel familiar to it
what were the results?
there was a correlation between the participants ratings of the pictures and the valence of the pictures
scenes rated 3 were significantly remembered and scenes rated as less emotionally intense ‘0-2’ weren’t remembered
scenes rated 3 showed high amygdala activation in the fMRI scanner
what were the conclusions?
the amygdala is sensitive to varying levels of emotional intensity
the level of intensity enhances memory
