Biological Psychology Questions

Question 1

Explain the strengths of Raine et al’s 1997 study.

Answer 1

• generalizability: large sample size 41 murderers

* reliability: standardized control (eliminating medication)

Question 2

Explain the weaknesses of Raine et al’s 1997 study.

Answer 2

•

•

Question 3

State the hypothesis for your practical investigation in biological psychology.

Answer 3

• there will be a relationship between stress and aggression
• there will be a relationship between life stressors and levels of aggression (out of 20 on a stress questionnaire)

Question 4

Describe one ethical consideration you accounted for during your practical investigation in biological psychology.

Answer 4

• protection of participants

* avoid use of distressing life events such as death of loved ones

Question 5

Describe the outcome of your spearman’s rho test for your practical investigation in biological psychology.

Answer 5

• positive correlation between life stressors and aggression
• number of life stressors increased = level of aggression also increased

Question 6

Explain two improvements you could make to your practical investigation in biological psychology.

Answer 6

• complete a pilot study for self-report questionnaire - eliminates design flaws
• increase variety of participants answering life stressor and aggression questionnaire - increase generalizability

Question 7

Describe how Freud’s psychodynamic theory could explain aggressive behavior in toddlers.

Answer 7

• id is dominant
• id needs to be satisfied immediately (impulsivity)
• ego not yet developed

Question 8

Explain the strengths of Freud’s psychodynamic explanation of aggression.

Answer 8

• application: treat aggressive behavior through psychoanalysis

Question 9

Explain the weaknesses of Freud’s psychodynamic explanation of aggression.

Answer 9

• viewed as unscientific (id, ego, superego can not be measured)

Question 10

Evaluate one adoption study that you have learned about in biological psychology.

Answer 10

•

Question 11

Explain what happens in psychoanalysis.

Answer 11

The patient explores their unconscious causes for behavior in a safe context with support from a therapist

Question 12

Describe the procedure of one twin study that you have learned about in biological psychology.

Answer 12

•

Question 13

Explain the strengths of using volunteer sampling.

Answer 13

• participants come towards you (less time consuming)
• consent (volunteer)
• motivation

Question 14

Explain the weaknesses of using volunteer sampling.

Answer 14

• participants only want to participate if interested(low generalizability - not representative)
• not in control of who participates (low generalizability)

Question 15

Explain the effects that recreational drugs may have on the transmission process in an individual’s central nervous system.

Answer 15

• affect synaptic functioning

* increases or decreases neurotransmitters (impact level of stress)

Question 16

Explain the effects that alcohol would have on the central nervous system of an individual.

Answer 16

• increase serotonin
• makes you feel happier
• increases GABA
• low memory efficiency

Question 17

How can hormones influence aggression levels.

Answer 17

• testosterone

Question 18

Evaluate the contemporary twin study by Brendgen et al. 2005.

Answer 18

• low generalizability: twins, age, culture
• ethics: potentially cause conflict between the children

+ reliability: questionnaire (can be replicated)
+ application: reduce aggression in children to prevent development of this behavior
+ validity: teacher and peer rating (moderate concordance