Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology > Biological studies > Flashcards

Biological studies Flashcards

1
Q

Study for technology used to study the brain and neurotransmission

A

Passamonti et al 2012

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Passamonti et al aim

A

To investigate whether lowering serotonin alters dynamic interplay between PFC and amygdala

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Passamonti et al sample

A

30 healthy volunteers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Passamonti et al method

A
  • 2 conditions - serotonin depletion vs placebo
  • Both group consumed drinks but one in serotonin depletion group lacked tryptophan (an amino acid needed to produce serotonin)
  • Put through fMRI machine
  • Measured brain responses to angry, neutral and sad faces
  • Repeated next week
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Passamonti et al results

A

Reduced activity in frontal lobe during low serotonin conditions when viewing angry faces

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Passamonti et al conclusion

A
  • If someone threatened and they have low serotonin might not be able to perform top-down control
  • Lack of activity in PFC may affect ability to regulate stress response triggered by amygdala and increase emotional reaction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Passamonti et al strengths

A
  • Randomised sample
  • Double blind
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Passamonti et al limitations

A
  • did showing faces actually activate amygdala?
  • serotonin levels weren’t measured so can we be sure that the people in the condition had less serotonin or that the drink had an effect
  • Lacked ecological validity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

study for localisation of function

A

Draganski et al 2004

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

backstory of HM and Milner

A
  • HM had epilepsy and the severe seizures meant he couldn’t lead a normal life - no medication had an effect
  • William Scoville removed the hippocampus from HM’s brain as an experimental surgery in hopes to help him
  • HM retained long term memory such as events from childhood
  • But forgot things he has just learn (short term memory) like names of people he had just met (anterograde amnesia)
  • His personality appeared mostly unchanged
  • No intellectual impairment
  • Couldn’t recall the last year before the operation
  • Brenda Milner studied him until he died in 2008
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

HM and Milner method

A
  • Psychometric testing: IQ testing was given to HM. His results were above average.
  • Direct observation of his behaviour
    Interviews with both HM and family members
  • Cognitive testing: memory recall tests as well as learning tasks - such as reverse mirror drawing
  • MRI to determine the extent of the damage done to HM’s brain
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

HM and Milner results

A
  • HM could not acquire new episodic knowledge (memory for events) and he could not acquire new semantic knowledge (general knowledge about the world) - removed brain structures important for the transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory
  • able to form a cognitive map of the spatial layout of his house - spatial memory not encoded the same as semantic or episodic memories
  • capacity for working memory - able to have normal conversation which requires a minimal level of retention
  • Could recall 3 digit numbers 15 minutes later
  • procedural memories maintained - knew how to mow a lawn and improved performance of new skills like reverse mirror drawing where he had to acquire new eye-hand coordination
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

HM and Milner conclusion

A
  • Implicit memory contains several stores - for example, procedural memory, emotional memory, and skills and habits
  • Each of these areas is related to different brain areas
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

HM and Milner strengths

A
  • Long case study - over 50 years = change could be observed over time
    method triangulation
  • several other case studies of patients like HM (eg. Clive Wearing)
  • High ecological validity = observed in his natural environment
  • high ethical standards of consent, confidentiality, and protection from harm
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

HM and Milner limitations

A
  • cannot be easily replicated
  • do not have a lot of data on HM’s actual cognitive abilities before the accident
  • Uncontrolled - was it the epilepsy that had the effect on his capabilities?
  • Only one person and might no be the same in other demographics
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Draganski et al aim

A

to see whether learning a new skill (juggling) would affect the brains of participants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Draganski et al sample

A
  • 24 volunteers (ages 20 - 24)
  • 21 f, 3 m
  • Non-jugglers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Draganski et al method

A
  • MRI scan at the start of the study to serve as base rate for grey matter and brain structure
  • 1 of 2 conditions - jugglers and non-jugglers (control)
  • in juggling condition taught three-ball juggling
  • asked to practise this and notify when mastered
  • jugglers 2nd scan
  • told not to juggle anymore and scan three months later
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Draganski et al results

A
  • VBM used to see if significant differences in neural density (grey matter)
  • no significant differences in the grey matter between the two conditions before study
  • at end of first part jugglers had significantly larger amount of grey matter in mid-temporal area in both hemispheres - associated with visual memory
  • Three months after (many couldn’t juggle anymore) amount of grey matter in these parts decreased
  • no change in non-juggling
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Draganski et al conclusion

A
  • juggling relies more on visual memory (perception and spatial anticipation of moving objects) rather than procedural memory (would be change in the cerebellum or basal ganglia)
  • Shows evidence of neural pruning
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Draganski et al strengths

A
  • pre-test/post-test design
  • Experimental = cause-and-effect relationship
  • Control group
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Draganski et al limitations

A
  • very small sample = may not be reliable
  • field experiment = IV manipulated in natural conditions = internal validity (participants at home for a lot)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

study for neuroplasticity

A

Draganski et al 2004

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Study for Hormones

A

Zac 2009

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

study for evolutionary explanations for attraction

A

Clark and Hatfield 1978

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

study for neurotransmission

A

Passamonti et al 2012

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Clark and Hatfield aim

A

Test parental investment theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Clark and Hatfield sample

A
  • 48 male participants + 48 female
  • 5 female + 4 males asking from mildly unattractive to moderately attractive
  • All students
  • In florida
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Clark and Hatfield method

A
  • Approach a stranger on campus
  • Say “I’ve been noticing you around campus. I find you very attractive”
  • Would you go out with me tonight?
  • Would you come to my apartment tonight?
  • Would you go to bed with me tonight?
30
Q

Clark and Hatfield results

A

Male asked female:
- Date - 56%
- Apartment - 6%
- Bed - 0%
Female asked male:
- Date - 50%
- Apartment - 69%
- Bed - 75%

31
Q

Clark and Hatfield conclusion

A

Agrees with parental investment theory

32
Q

Clark and Hatfield strengths

A
  • 1982 and 2015 results the same so reliable
  • Field experiment so ecological validity
33
Q

Clark and Hatfield limitations

A
  • Ethical concerns as they were deceived
  • Could be because of social norms not the theory
  • Women might have more safety concerns about casual sex then men
  • Cultural bias
  • They were asked on weekdays at school so might not be the same in a club or smt
34
Q

A study for ethics in the relationship between brain and behaviour

A

HM and Milner 1966

35
Q

A study for research methods in the relationship between brain and behaviour

A

HM and Milner - longitudinal case study

36
Q

Zac 2009 aim

A

To study the effect of testosterone on a male’s generosity and sense of aggression

37
Q

Zac 2009 sample

A

25 male students

38
Q

Zac 2009 method

A
  • Wanted to create “Alpha male”
    drew blood from the participants to establish baseline levels of testosterone
  • rub a gel on their shoulders - testosterone gel or a placebo
    next morning another blood test
    treatment doubled the amount of testosterone
  • Ultimatum Game
  • told could be generous with money or stingy
  • stingy offers could be rejected = both men to lose all the money
  • four weeks later repeated but other substance gel
39
Q

Zac 2009 results

A

27% stingier when they received the testosterone gel

40
Q

Zac 2009 conclusion

A
  • men with naturally high testosterone levels would be expected to be more selfish and also more likely to punish others for violations of social norms
  • testosterone has the opposite effect of oxytocin - a rise in distrust and an increase in selfish behavior
41
Q

Zac 2009 strengths

A
  • repeated measures design = no participant differences
  • After debriefing = showed participants whether they received testosterone or placebo
  • counterbalanced = order effects did not play a role in the results
42
Q

Zac 2009 limitations

A
  • Other social factors that could have had an effect
  • did not measure activity in the amygdala or hypothalamus
  • highly artificial = low ecological validity
    levels of testosterone artificially manipulated and game very simplistic so not real-life
43
Q

a study for pheromones

A

Wedekind 1972

44
Q

A study for research methods into hormones and pheromones and their effects on behaviour

A

Kosfeld 2005 - true experiment

45
Q

A study for ethical consideration into hormones and pheromones and their effects on behaviour

A

Kosfeld 2005

46
Q

A study for genes

A

Tiihonen 2014

47
Q

A study for genetic similarity

A

Tiihonen 2014

48
Q

A study for research methods into the relationship between genetics and behaviour

A

Dunedin study 1972 - longitudinal case study

49
Q

A study for ethical considerations into the relationship between genetics and behaviour

A

Dunedin study 1972

50
Q

Dunedin study 1972 aim

A

To investigate the interaction of MAOA gene and childhood maltreatment in antisocial behaviour

51
Q

Dunedin study 1972 sample

A

1037 people born in Dunedin new Zealand in 1972 (every child born there that year)

52
Q

Dunedin study 1972 method

A

Lives are followed and measured every year - development, genes, blood pressure, private lives

53
Q

Dunedin study 1972 results

A
  • 50 were violent offenders and found to have the MAOA-L gene and childhood maltreatment
  • Others MAOA-L variant but no childhood abuse and did not exhibit violent tendencies
  • 30% of population have the low activity variant of the MAOA gene
54
Q

Dunedin study 1972 conclusion

A
  • Child abuse determining factor for antisocial behaviour in individuals with short MAOA gene variant
  • with both, 3 times more likely to display violent behaviour than those without the childhood maltreatment but MAOA gene
55
Q

Dunedin study 1972 strengths

A
  • Longitudinal study with a high retention rate (95% still participate)
  • Applicabile
  • Data triangulation
  • Took into account biological and social factors
56
Q

Dunedin study 1972 limitations

A
  • Not generalisable to rest of the world
  • Some dropped out so data only includes data on those willing to stay
  • Ethical considerations
57
Q

Tiihonen 2014 aim

A

To see if there is a correlation between the MAOA short gene and violent crimes

58
Q

Tiihonen 2014 sample

A

Almost 900 offenders in Finnish prison

59
Q

Tiihonen 2014 method

A
  • Interviewed then separated according to crimes into violent and non-violent
  • Recorded if experiences maltreatment as a child and drug abuse
60
Q

Tiihonen 2014 results

A
  • Those with gene 13x more likely to commit violent crime
  • Connection between genes and behaviour was strongest for the 78 in “extremely violent offender”
61
Q

Tiihonen 2014 conclusion

A

The combination of MAOA short gene and maltreatment as a child can lead to an increase in violent behaviour

62
Q

Tiihonen 2014 strengths

A
  • Some discluded because of psychosis
  • Large sample
63
Q

Tiihonen 2014 limiations

A
  • Not generalisable because of sample bias
  • Quasi experiment so doesn’t establish cause and effect relationship
64
Q

Wedekin 1972

A

to determine whether one’s MHC would affect mate choice

65
Q

Wedekin 1972 theory

A
  • MHC = Major Histocompatibility Complex = genes that play important role in immune system
  • More diverse MHC = more pathogens can be recognised
  • MHC genes expressed co-dominantly = inherit MHC alleles from both parents
  • Would be beneficial to have evolved way of recognizing individuals with different MHC genes to breed and maximize immune responses
  • Evolutionary psychologists argue that our “smell” is a sign of our MHC
66
Q

Wedekind 1972 sample

A

49 female and 44 male students from University of Bern, Switzerland

67
Q

Wedekind 1972 method

A
  • participant was “typed” for their MHC
  • wide variance of MHC was included
  • men wore shirt for 2 nights kept in open plastic bag in day
  • given perfume-free soap for showering and didn’t use any deodorants or perfumes
  • Also no smoking, drinking, spicy foods or sex
  • women ranked smell of 7 shirts in boxes with a hole alone in a room in terms of intensity, pleasantness and sexiness (range 0 -10, 5 = neutral)
  • in second week after start of menstruation (when women most odor-sensitive)
  • 3 similar, 3 dissimilar men, 1 unworn as a control
68
Q

Wedekind 1972 results

A

Women scored male body odors as more pleasant when they differed from their own MHC than when they were more similar.

69
Q

Wedekind 1972 conclusion

A

suggests that MHC may influence human mate choice

70
Q

Wedekind 1972 limitations

A
  • over-simplifies - ignoring cognitive and sociocultural factors
  • Biased sample
  • in real life deodorants and perfume used
  • low ecological validity
71
Q

Wedekind 1972 strengths

A
  • replicated by Jacob et al (2002) and Yamazaki et al. (1976)
  • double-blind experiment
  • control

Psychology (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions