Biological studies Flashcards
Study for technology used to study the brain and neurotransmission
Passamonti et al 2012
Passamonti et al aim
To investigate whether lowering serotonin alters dynamic interplay between PFC and amygdala
Passamonti et al sample
30 healthy volunteers
Passamonti et al method
- 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
Passamonti et al results
Reduced activity in frontal lobe during low serotonin conditions when viewing angry faces
Passamonti et al conclusion
- 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
Passamonti et al strengths
- Randomised sample
- Double blind
Passamonti et al limitations
- 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
study for localisation of function
Draganski et al 2004
Draganski et al aim
to see whether learning a new skill (juggling) would affect the brains of participants
Draganski et al sample
- 24 volunteers (ages 20 - 24)
- 21 f, 3 m
- Non-jugglers
Draganski et al method
- 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
Draganski et al results
- 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
Draganski et al conclusion
- 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
Draganski et al strengths
- pre-test/post-test design
- Experimental = cause-and-effect relationship
- Control group
Draganski et al limitations
- very small sample = may not be reliable
- field experiment = IV manipulated in natural conditions = internal validity (participants at home for a lot)
study for neuroplasticity
Draganski et al 2004
Study for Hormones
Zac 2009
study for evolutionary explanations for attraction
Clark and Hatfield 1978
study for neurotransmission
Rogers and Kesner 2003
Clark and Hatfield aim
Test parental investment theory
Clark and Hatfield sample
- 48 male participants + 48 female
- 5 female + 4 males asking from mildly unattractive to moderately attractive
- All students
- In florida
Clark and Hatfield method
- 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?
Clark and Hatfield results
Male asked female:
- Date - 56%
- Apartment - 6%
- Bed - 0%
Female asked male:
- Date - 50%
- Apartment - 69%
- Bed - 75%
Clark and Hatfield conclusion
Agrees with parental investment theory
Clark and Hatfield strengths
- 1982 and 2015 results the same so reliable
- Field experiment so ecological validity
Clark and Hatfield limitations
- 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
A study for ethics in the relationship between brain and behaviour
Rogers and keener 2003
A study for research methods in the relationship between brain and behaviour
Passamonti - true experiment
Zac 2009 aim
To study the effect of testosterone on a male’s generosity and sense of aggression
Zac 2009 sample
25 male students
Zac 2009 method
- 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
Zac 2009 results
27% stingier when they received the testosterone gel
Zac 2009 conclusion
- 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
Zac 2009 strengths
- 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
Zac 2009 limitations
- 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
a study for pheromones
Wedekind 1972
A study for research methods into hormones and pheromones and their effects on behaviour
Zac 2009
A study for ethical consideration into hormones and pheromones and their effects on behaviour
Zac 2009
A study for genes
Tiihonen 2014
A study for genetic similarity
Tiihonen 2014
A study for research methods into the relationship between genetics and behaviour
Clark and Hatfield
A study for ethical considerations into the relationship between genetics and behaviour
Tiihonen 2014
Tiihonen 2014 aim
To see if there is a correlation between the MAOA short gene and violent crimes
Tiihonen 2014 sample
Almost 900 offenders in Finnish prison
Tiihonen 2014 method
- Interviewed then separated according to crimes into violent and non-violent
- Recorded if experiences maltreatment as a child and drug abuse
Tiihonen 2014 results
- Those with gene 13x more likely to commit violent crime
- Connection between genes and behaviour was strongest for the 78 in “extremely violent offender”
Tiihonen 2014 conclusion
The combination of MAOA short gene and maltreatment as a child can lead to an increase in violent behaviour
Tiihonen 2014 strengths
- Some discluded because of psychosis
- Large sample
Tiihonen 2014 limiations
- Not generalisable because of sample bias
- Quasi experiment so doesn’t establish cause and effect relationship
Saxton 2008 aim
To test effects of Androstadienone at a speed dating event in which men and women interact in a series of brief encounter
Saxton 2008 theory
Androstadienone - found in predominantly male sweat - derivative of testosterone
Saxton 2008 sample
Event 1 - uni students 19-25
Event 2+3 - private speed dating agency (30-41) (21-35)
Saxton 2008 method
Field experiment
3 conditions on cotton wool
Androstadienone and 1% clove oil
Clove oil
Water
Under nose of female participants
Females rated males on attractiveness from 1-7
Saxton 2008 results
In ⅔ females with Androstadienone rated males as more attractive than with just water and clove oil
Saxton 2008 conclusion
Androstadienone is a possible pheromone given off in male sweat and acts as a chemical messenger to increase feelings of attraction in a female. It may act as a sexual signal giving information about male mate quality
Saxton 2008 limitations
- over-simplifies - ignoring cognitive and sociocultural factors
- Biased sample
- in real life deodorants and perfume used
- Not very strong results - not conclusive
- Participant variables
- Don’t know is pheromones even exist in human
Rogers and Kesner 2003 theory
- In the hippocampus, there is a high concentration of acetylcholine receptor sites
- acetylcholine is excitatory neurotransmitter and agonist
Rogers and Kesner 2003 aim
To investigate the role of acetylcholine in spatial memory recall in the hippocampus
Rogers and Kesner 2003 sample
30 rats
Rogers and Kesner 2003 method
- One group given scopolamine injection (is antagonist and blocks acetylcholine) and other placebo into the hippocampus
- Put in a maze they already knew and had to find food
Rogers and Kesner 2003 results
- Group with scopolamine took longer and made more mistakes
Rogers and Kesner 2003 conclusion
- Acetylcholine does play a role in memory in the hippocampus
Rogers and Kesner 2003 strengths
- True experiment = cause and effect relationship
- Used placebo so wouldn’t just be adrenaline from injection having an effect
Rogers and Kesner 2003 limitations
- Memory is very complex and takes place in more area then just hippocampus
- Not humans
- ethics
