Biological Psychology Flashcards
What are the assumptions of the biological approach
Human genes have evolved over millions of years to best adapt us to our environment.
Influence of the brain on behaviour.
Nervous system is seen to be responsible for human behaviour.
Genetic factors like genes determine our brain.
What is a concordance rate
The degree of similarity in characteristics beteeen pairs of people as a percentage. 48% concordance rate=0.48 correlation
What was the aim of Brendgens study?
To investigate if social aggression could be caused by genes or the environment.
See if social aggression and physical aggression have the same cause and if one type leads to another.
What was brendgens sample.
Opportunity sample of 234 twin pairs recruited from the Quebec New-born twin study and all born between November 1995 and July 1998
What was the procedure of Brendgens study for teachers.
Teacher ratings scored each statement like ‘to what extent does the child get into fights’ on a 3 point scale 0-2 taken from the preschool social behaviour scale and the direct and indirect aggression scale.
What was the procedure of Brendgens study for the students.
Peer ratings were done by each child circling pictures of their peers who matched the behaviour descriptions like ‘gets into fights’.
What were Brendgens findings.
Teachers foung boys more likely to be physically aggressive and girls more socially.
Peers found boys more physically and socially aggressive.
MZ correlation almost twice as high as same sex DZ correlation for physical and were similar for social.
Brendgens conclusion.
Strong genetic component to physical aggression but not social.
Children who are physically aggressive were also more likely to display social aggression due to an interaction of genes and environment.
What were the aims of Leves study.
Look at specific environmental issues related to parenting and family processes that interact with genetic factors on a child.
Look at adoptive parents and adopted child to see how and why genes and environment interactions occur.
What was the sample for Leves study.
360 sets of adoptive triads recruited by means of ‘opt out’ between 2003 and 2006 via adoption agencies
What was the procedure for leves study.
The adopted parents and biological parents took questionnaires and interviews testing intelligence, conduct disorder and questions on functioning. Children took part in frustration tasks and researchers observed the behaviour. Saliva was collected from the participants 6 times 30 mins pre going to sleep and post waking up. Nursery teachers took questionnaires about the kids.
Leves findings.
If the biological mother had emotional issues the child was more likely to show frustration.
If the adoptive mother had emotional issues the child was unlikely to shift their frustration.
Leves conclusion
Genetic factors in an adopted child can interact with environmental influences.
Explain action potential.
Nerve impulse travels down the dendrite of the pre synaptic neuron. If it builds up enough energy it will depolarise the synaptic knob. This means the vesicles will release neurotransmitters into the synapse. They will lock on to receptors and when enough are stimulated the message will pass on. Any spare neurotransmitters will be sucked up the reuptake pump and stored away.
What happens in action potential if the nerve impulse doesn’t build up enough energy
It will polarise the synaptic knob and the vesicles won’t be stimulated so the message won’t be sent.
Effect of recreational drugs on the transmission process in the CNS.
Block reuptake pumps e.g cocaine, SSRI which means a build up of neurotransmitters in the synapse causing the post synaptic message to fire more frequently.
Mimic neurotransmitters e.g alcohol, Chlorpromazine so they fit into receptors meaning less receptors free for actual neurotransmitters so less firing of neurons.
What is the reward pathway.
The dopamine system that causes a pleasurable and rewarding feeling in the body that drugs hack into causing euphoria.
How do people become addicted to drugs
After the drug wears off The person has less dopamine than they should for their brain to function normally so causes dysphoria and motivated the person to take more drugs to make them happy. This repeated causes them to become dependent- leading to addiction
How do FMRI scans work to show a detailed Image of the brain structure.
A strong magnetic field is used which affects protons in the brain as they move when subject to a magnetic field. The fewer hydrogen atoms the darker the brain appears and the more the darker it appears on the image(denser).
How do FMRI scans work to show brain activity.
Blood flow in certain areas of the brain increase in active areas to keep up with demand for oxygen. When carrying oxygen haemoglobin repels the magnetic field and these changes create the image. The redder the more active the bluer the less active.
How do PET scans work to show brain activity and structure.
A tracer of harmless radioactive material is injected into the blood and bonds to glucose. P’pant completes a task and the area of brain which are most active will absorb the glucose. Glucose is broken down but the radioactive material remains. Measure areas with more gamma rays to see which part was most active. Red=active Blue=not active.
How do CAT scans show the structure of the brain.
Multiple X rays from different angles pass through the brain of the p’pant. Scanner scans for a few minutes getting multiple images. The paler the image the x rays haven’t passed through so is solid mass(denser)
What was the aim of Raines study(classic)
Whether there was brain differences between violent murderers who had pleaded NGRI compared to a married control group of non murderers using PET scans. Specifically brain dysfunction in their PFC.
What was the sample of Raines study.
41 p’pants 39 males 2 females who had pleaded NGRI but were charged with murder or manslaughter. 6 diagnosed with schizophrenia. This was exactly matched by a group of non murderers on a 1to1 basis.
What was the procedure of Raines study.
Murderers and p’pants were injected with a radioactive glucose tracer and then did a ‘continuous performance task’ - a visual task that increases activity in the frontal lobes of normal p’pants for 32 mins. Afterwards took a PET scan to see activity.
What were the findings of Raines study.
Murderers had less activity in PFC
Murderers had more activity on right side of the thalamus
Murderers had less activity on less side of amygdala
Murderers had more activity on right side of amygdala.
Less=left more= right 2+2
What is Raines conclusion
Violent behaviour is controlled by certain areas of the brain. Link between abnormal brain activity and a predisposition towards violence in this specific group.
What is in the limbic system and what does it do.
Hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. Linked to our automatic systems which responds automatically to danger rather than in a planned way.
What is The role of the hypothalamus and how can it cause increased level of aggression.
Maintain homeostasis through regulation of hormones. It problems with more activity higher levels of testosterone are released.
What’s the frontal lobe responsible for
Responsible for decision making
What is the role of the amygdala and how can it cause aggression
Centre for emotions, emotional behaviour and motivation and triggering fight or flight. Less activity in left and more in right = high levels of aggression.
What is the role of the pre frontal cortex and how can it cause aggression
It is responsible for decision making and personality and regulation of behaviour. Low activity= high levels of aggression.
Supporting evidence of the brain as an explanation of aggression
Phinaes gage - less activity in his pre frontal cortex caused aggression
Raine et al - less activity in PFC low activity in left amygdala and more activity in right amygdala and more in right side thalamus.
What is evolution
Process that living organisms change and adapt over time to serve and adaptive function in the environment. Result in new traits and characteristics to aid survival.
What is the role of the MAOA gene - ‘warrior gene’ -
Helps the metabolism or noradrenaline serotonin and dopamine. Low activity results in neurotransmitters not being broken down in body which leads to aggression.
How have males evolved over time to survive
Resources - Physically bigger and stronger than women to provide food and hunt and kill
Protection - Aggressive and strong to protect offspring
High social status - Aggressive and win fights to look stronger and get best female mates
How have females evolved over time
Buss argued women are verbally aggressive and degrade each other to be seen as more attractive.
Not physically aggressive - evolutionary disadvantage
What is epigentics and how does it show evolution as an explanation for human behaviour
The switching on and off of genes by environment. If raised in aggressive environment MAOA gene may switch on
What is the ID and how does it operate
The ID is entirely unconscious so cannot be accessed.
It operates according to the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification.
What are the two instinctive drives the ID develops from.
Eros: Sexual instinct - consisting of all life enhancing desires including sexual urges, being warm and well fed.
Thantos: death instinct - attack anyone or anything that interferes with the gratification of the libido. Would like to destroy everything that gets in the way.
What is catharsis
Emotional release of repressed aggression (thantos). Satisfies our urges without resorting to violent impulses. This can be socially acceptable like rugby or socially unacceptable like fighting.
What is the EGO
The conscious part of the mind and emerges from around 2yrs old.
Acts as a referee between the superego and the id.
Operates according to the reality principle.
What is the superego.
Mainly unconscious and operates according to the morality principle. Develops at the age of 4-5 and develops our understanding of right and wrong.
Consists of the ego-ideal and the conscience.
What’s the occipital lobe responsible for
responsible for visual processing.
What’s the Parietal lobe responsible for
processing sensory info
What is the Temporal lobe responsible for
responsible for processing sensory input
2 positives of Brendgen
+ Inter rater reliability - Both peers and teachers has results so analysed by more than 1 person
+ Ecological reliability - in a school and classroom so realistic for everyone
2 negatives of Brendgen
- Mundane realism - tasks of circling classmates based on statements for kids and ranking students on 3point scale for teachers is not realistic
- Pop validity - 234 Pairs from Quebec new born twin study
2 Positives of Leve
+ Ecological validity - Took place in own houses
+ Mundane realism - Children given temperament tasks playing with toys
2 Negatives of Leve
- Pop validity - 360 triads from the same area of America
- Researcher bias - observed frustration levels so subjective
2 positives of Raines study
+ Practical applications - not have full control so reduce murder to manslaughter
+ Standardised procedure - all had same scan and had to do same continuous performance task
2 negatives of Raines study
- Lacks eco validity - artificial controlled setting using pet scan
- Pop validity - only murderers NGRI cant generalise to all criminal behaviour
2 weaknesses of evolution as an explanation of human behaviour
Post hoc - Rather than proven fact we are making judgements by looking back and arguing a specific behaviour must be adaptive because it persists
Reductionist - Only considers nature, nothing like imitating from a parent
2 strenghts of evolution to explain human behaviour
Chester et al - Research found that males with low functioning MAOA gene had greater periods of aggression compared to those with normal functioning MAOA gene
Difference in male and female brains - Different brain structures - differently levels of testosterone before and after birth - males aggression and women nurture
What is the key question for biological approach
What are the implications for society if aggression is found to be due to be caused by nature and not nurture
What does it mean if behaviour is due to nature (AO1)
Aggression is caused by biology such as genes and hormones. Individual is not in control of their biology so shouldn’t be blamed for behaviour
What does it mean if behaviour is due to nurture (AO1)
Aggression is caused by the environment such as learning from imitating role models. Means individual is in control
Clinical disorders such as depression (AO1)
Are seen to be caused by biology such as low levels of dopamine. Sympathised with and not blamed for their behaviour and given drugs to balance neurotransmitters
Aggression caused by nature not sympathised for (AO1)
They are blamed for and punished. However punishment doesn’t treat biology so aggression may continue.
Not all bio causes treated the same.
Key question nature (AO2)
Aggression is a consequence of brain, low PFC activity involves decision making. Low amygdala triggers F or F and high thalamus releases hormones.
Seen in Charles Whitman who was a mass murderer with tumour pushing on amygdala triggering fight. Supported by Raine T/F should use biological interventions
Key question nurture (AO2)
Learning argues learn aggression through operant conditioning and positive reinforcement so punishment should stop aggression.
Shown by Luis Suarez bit 3 players still did it after 4 month ban. Punishment doesn’t work so should be treated by drugs not punishment
What things does a spearman rho need
Ordinal data
Correlation design
Test of association
What was the aim of our bio practical
To investigate the relationship between aggression and 2D:4D ratio
What was the procedure of our bio practical
Completed closed 12 question questionnaire on our own perceived aggression
Scored each Q from 5-0 to a score out of 60
Then drew around our dominant hand and measured our 2D and 4D fingers
Drew a line at the bottom of 2d finger and then one at same angle at top of 2D finger
Did this for 4D fingers and measured difference between 2 lines on both fingers
2D/4D to find 2D:4D ratio
What is the findings of the bio practical
The spearman Rho observed value of -0.08 is less than the critical value of 0.484. For a 1 tailed hypothesis at significance level 0.05 with 13 p’pants. Therefore results are not signifficant and are due to chance so reject alternative and accepot null
This suggests no relatiojnship between percieved aggression out of 60 and 2D:4D ratio in cm.
What is the conclusion of the bio practical
There is no link between prenatal testosterone, measured by 2D:4D ratio and aggression, so further research into aggression and its causes are needed
2 positives of our bio practical
+ Standardised procedure - all given same questions and same responses
+ Demand characteristics - did questions before 2D:4D ratio measurements which cant be changed
2 negatives of our bio practical
- Pop validity - opportunity sample of 13 year 12 psych students at WBS
- Ecological validity - classroom is not a naturally aggressive setting
What is epi genetics
Certain genes can be switched on or off by your environment
Describe the CNS
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and the
spinal cord (1). Messages from the body, e.g. arms, travel up the
spinal cord to the brain where the information is processed (1).
The brain then sends messages back down the spinal cord
resulting in an action from the person
2 strengths of FMRI scan
Non invasive(compared to PET) - Participants asked to lie down inside a scanner and a strong magnetic field is used which affects some atoms in the brain. Doesn’t require any foreign substances being placed into the participant
High quality images of the brain - Images are very precise and see most of the active brain areas of the brain regions responsible for specific tasks. These detailed images are sufficient enough to locate and remove small delicate tumours.
2 weaknesses of FMRI scan
Expensive - Requires specialist staff to use the machinery and interpret scans produces, as well as the specialist machinery. TF can limit use by researchers as may not have necessary resources
Ecological validity - Conducted in a highly artificial setting on a lab and brain scanning machine. So the brain activity produced may not be reflective of everyday brain activity. TF the brain activity cannot be generalized to everyday brain activity
2 strengths of PET scans
Provides data on both structure and function of the brain - Can see what area of the brain is most active and can see what areas of the brain are responsible for particular behaviours and can show detailed images of the brain, including the precise location of delicate tumours. TF brain surgery more accurate and safe
Scientific - As highly scientific equipment can be used and the scan easily repeated, the PET scan produce images to be interpreted by a specialist. As these images can be checked by other specialists to see if there is agreement they can be analysed in an unbiased way. TF this can be objectively analysed
2 weaknesses of PET scans
Ecological validity - Conducted in a highly controlled setting of a lab and PET scanner machine. Often the tasks people are asked to complete to stimulate brain activity are also artificial in nature
Invasive – participants are injected with a radioactive tracer; this is placing the substance inside the body of the participants. Some participants may feel uncomfortable with this. TF it is unethical
2 strengths of CAT scans
Non invasive(compared to PET) - Participants asked to lie down inside a scanner where multiple x-ray beams are passed around the head from different angles. Doesn’t require any foreign substances being placed into the participant
Detailed images of brain structure -very precise images allow for clear picture of structure and are able to show things such as tumours which can male surgery safer. TF detailed understanding of brain
2 weaknesses of CAT scans
Exposure to radiation - The use of X-ray scan pose risks to patient as they involve exposure to radiation. For example, pregnant women can not have CAT scans due to risks posed to the unborn child. TF this is not suitable for everyone and exposure may cause physical harm, or put people off from having the scan, reducing its use
Only produces images of brain structure - Doesn’t show brain activity so cannot be used to see which areas of brain are most active and which parts are responsible for which behaviours
2 weaknesses of the brain as an explanation of aggression
However of Phineas gage - case study of 1 unique individual case so unrep and cant be generalised
Reductionist - Reduces aggression to bio and brain does not consider learning like SLT
What are hormones
Hormones are chemical messengers that transmit info around the body via the blood and tend to be used to effect longer term changes. They are produced and excreted by glands in the endocrine system
Testosterone
Testosterone is an androgen which is linked to aggression when there is high levels. Prenatal exposure to testosterone has an organising effect on the developing brain leading to increased competitive aggression.
Serotonin and cortisol
Serotonin is a hormone that controls mood regulation such as happiness so low levels is linked to aggression and irritability.
Cortisol is produced when faced with stressors and low levels of cortisol have been associated with aggression as not enough is produced to manage feelings of stress.
Adrenaline
Adrenaline is a hormone released by the adrenal gland which is linked to the fight or flight reaction so high levels of adrenaline has link to aggressive behaviour due to a stimuli triggering the need to be physically faster and stronger.
2 strengths of hormone explanation of aggression
Young et al - injected pregnant monkeys with testosterone and gave birth to female monkeys with masculinised genitalia and aggressive behaviour like playing rough. TF supporting affect of androgens on aggression
Hawke - convicted sex offenders who had been castrated had removal of aggression and loss of sex drive. Testes are responsible for producing androgens such as testosterone. TF suggesting testosterone is linked to aggression
2 weaknesses of hormone explanation of aggression
Animal research - researchers used animals rather than humans meaning sample was anthropomorphic. TF unrep and cant be generalised to human aggression
Reductionist - Only considers role of nature like hormones like testosterone and no nurture like aggression being O+I off a role model. TF too simplistic
2 strengths of the psychodynamic approach
Vernon and Sullivan - People who reacted in an aggressive way to being made frustrated in a task had reduced heart rate compared with those who did not react aggressively. TF suggesting aggression is cathartic as it acts as a release of repressed frustration.
Megargee and Medelsohn - People who did not let their aggression instinct out in small amounts, it built up until they were unable to control it and would have an outburst of aggression. TF suggesting when anger is repressed into the unconsciousness it becomes uncontrollable so catharsis is needed.
2 weaknesses of the psychodynamic approach
Unscientific - Freud’s explanation that ID drives aggression can’t be empirically tested. ID, ego and superego are all hypothetical constructs as you can’t experimentally prove the existence of them - T/F the theory of aggression can’t be tested which reduces the verifiability of the theory.
Subjective - Freud used case studies to support his theories which generated qualitative data, however Freud may have been biased in interpreting the info as he wanted to support existence of ID and theory - T/F evidence based off one person’s view so reduces validity of his theory of aggression.
Compare psychodynamic and biological approach
The biological explanation of aggression suggests that aggression is accounted for by genetics and biology, such as brain structures and hormones. In contrast, Freud’s psychodynamic approach posits that aggression is a consequence of being cathartic, releasing energy that was being used to repress anger.
Bio is based on factors such as heredity and genetic transmission, proposing that personality is a consequence of biology and the brain. Where Freud emphasizes personality structures such as the Id, Ego, and Superego.
Bio is supported by studies and scans and is further supported by numerical and scientific research, which is more objective and scientific compared to other approaches. Freud is supported by case studies of people with mental health issues; however, these are subjective and considered unscientific.
The biological explanation focuses on external structures, such as hormones and brain activity, to explain aggression. Whereas the psychodynamic approach focuses on internal structures to explain aggression in the form of unconscious thoughts and desires generating frustration.
What is a correlation
Measures the relationship between 2 co-variables
Strong positive
Moderate positive
No correlation
Moderate negative
Strong negative
2 strengths of correlational method
No manipulation of variables - Measures are often taken from existing situations with few controls, or manipulation of behaviour. TF this is a straightforward design making it an easy method to use
Reduce participant variables - The same participants are providing both sets of data for both co-variables. TF the data will not be affected by individual differences of participants, increasing internal validity of the data
2 weaknesses of correlational method
Cannot establish cause and effect - Correlations only show the relationship between two variables. TF you cannot say that one variable causes and change in the other variable, a third variable could be involved. Thus reducing internal validity
Lacks validity - Variables being measured need to be operationalised. Some variables are hard to quantify, or loose meaning. For example mental health. TF measures can be unnatural and artificial and not truly represent behaviours being measured.
