Biological Studies Flashcards
Localization of function
- the theory that specific parts of the brain are responsible for specific behaviors or cognitive processes.
- Ex) the hippocampus is responsible for short memory to be transferred to long term memory.
Maguire: London Taxi Driver
Aim- whether the brains of London taxi drivers would be somehow different as a result of their exceptional knowledge of the city and the many hours they spent navigating for the “Knowledge”.
Procedure- 16 right handed London taxi drivers compared with MRI scans of 50 non taxi drivers.
Results- posterior hippocampus of taxi drivers was significantly larger and the anterior was smaller in non taxi drivers. Larger= longer they have been driving.
- Neuroplasticity- the changes in neutral pathways and synapses due to changes in behavior, environment, thinking, emotions, as well as bodily injuries.
- Neural pruning- the process where the brain eliminates extra neurons (happens when you memorize something)
- Neural networks- neuron pathways
- hippocampus (what’s its function?)
Maguire: London Taxi Driver
Aim- whether the brains of London taxi drivers would be somehow different as a result of their exceptional knowledge of the city and the many hours they spent navigating for the “Knowledge”.
Procedure- 16 right handed London taxi drivers compared with MRI scans of 50 non taxi drivers.
Results- posterior hippocampus of taxi drivers was significantly larger and the anterior was smaller in non taxi drivers. Larger= longer they have been driving.
* as the changes of behavior and thinking that happen to London taxi drivers because of their navigation and knowledge.*
Brain Imaging Techniques
Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) - uses a magnetic field to temporarily change positions of hydrogen atoms. Creates an image using g location of radio waves.
- used for internal injuries like tumors and bleeding.
Strengths - no ionizing radiation exposure, better spatial resolution
Maguire: London Taxi Driver
Aim- whether the brains of London taxi drivers would be somehow different as a result of their exceptional knowledge of the city and the many hours they spent navigating for the “Knowledge”.
Procedure- 16 right handed London taxi drivers compared with MRI scans of 50 non taxi drivers.
Results- posterior hippocampus of taxi drivers was significantly larger and the anterior was smaller in non taxi drivers. Larger= longer they have been driving.
They wanted to see the size of the hippocampus and the MRI would get them photos
Neurotransmitters
- Neurotransmission - when neurons are communicating with each other
. This is when neurotransmitters(chemical messengers) carry signals between neutrons throughout the cell. This effects human behaviors(memory,mental illness),
- inhibitory - transmitter decreasing the likelihood of signal being sent.
- re-uptake - transmitters go back after the jumped
Rogers study: Serotonin “happy chemical”
Aim - the role serotonin plays in perceiving emotional intimacy.
Procedure - 40 healthy adults, half drank something with tryptophan. This increasing serotonin. Other half received drink without for control. Afterwards participants were given photos of couples and asked for them to rate how intimate and romantic they appear.
Results - participants with lower serotonin levels( did not receive tryptophan) rated couples less romantic then groups who received tryptophen.
Hormones
- chemicals that influence how we think, feel, and act.
- secreted by glands in the endocrine system. Travel through the blood stream and get attached by receptor cells.
- testosterone - males produce 10x more, explains behavioral differences btw the sexes.
Dabbs: prison study
Aim- investigate the relationship between testosterone and aggression.
Procedure- 692 male prisoners, analyzed criminal records based on violent and non-violent. The. Took saliva.
Results- Prisoners with high testosterone levels were more likely to commit violent crimes can’t be sure if it was the crime or testosterone levels
Pheromones and Human Attraction
Pheromone- a chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal affecting the behavior or physiology of others of its own species.
Signaling pheromones- produced rapid behavioral effects in animals specifically leads to mating behavior.
Wedekind: Sweaty T-Shirt study
Aim- determine whether one’s MHC would affect mate choice.
Procedure- around 40 women and 40 men with a wide range of MHC genes.
- Major Histocompatibility Complex- series of molecules on body cells, helps Immune system identify pathogens and activate immune system.
Each man was given a clean T-shirt and asked to wear it for 2 nights, remain odor neutral. Women were presented 7 boxes with 3 MHC similar, 3 MHC different and one unknown, then women rated T-shirt.
*double blind experiment.
Results- women rated the scent of men with dissimilar MHC as more pleasant.
Darwin’s theory of evolution - protect gene pool, survival of the fittest, natural selection.
natural selection- member of a species who have characteristics which are better suited to the environment. They will more likely to breed healthy offspring spring.
Wedekind: Sweaty T-Shirt study
Aim- determine whether one’s MHC would affect mate choice.
Procedure- around 40 women and 40 men with a wide range of MHC genes.
- Major Histocompatibility Complex- series of molecules on body cells, helps Immune system identify pathogens and activate immune system.
Each man was given a clean T-shirt and asked to wear it for 2 nights, remain odor neutral. Women were presented 7 boxes with 3 MHC similar, 3 MHC different and one unknown, then women rated T-shirt.
*double blind experiment.
Results- women rated the scent of men with dissimilar MHC as more pleasant.
*Supports theory of evolution and genetics because dissimilar MHC makes for the healthiest offspring w/ best genetics
Testosterone(hormone) - 10x more in males and females. Explains behavioral differences between the sexes. Cause aggression, competition, dominant behaviors.
Ronay and von Hippel: The Skateboard study
Aim- to determine if men would take greater risks in the presence of a male. See if testosterone played a role in behavior.
Procedure- Around 90 male Australian skateboarders. Around 21 years old. One group was controlled with a male researcher. Other group was a female researcher. Skateboarders were asked to do one easy trick and one difficult trick. Asked to do it 10 times. Then 10 mores time but this time in front of attractive female researcher. Rated tricks with success, crash landing, and aborted attempt. Saliva was also collected.
Results- Participants took greater risks in front of a female researcher. And testosterone levels were higher in the men when infront of female.
- Greater risks show sign of potential mate. And testosterone behaviors
Reference one research study, explain the role of genetics in one behavior.
The Minnesota Twin Study: Bouchard
Aim- To investigate the relative influence of environment and genetic factors on human characteristics and behaviors.
Procedure- 100 pairs of reared-apart twins whose data was compared with reared together siblings. Underwent 50 hours of psychological testing.
Results- 70% of intelligence is heritable, Twins reared together or apart had similar intelligence levels.
