BLOA Flashcards
Outline principles that define biological level of analysis.
- Animal research and behavior may enhance our understanding of human behavior.
[(Rozensweig, 1972) - 3 male rats, 3 conditions. Enriched environment - thicker celebrate cortex: responsible for learning, memory, movement and sensory input + larger, more active neurons. ] - Patterns of behavior can be inherited. Behavior can be innate due to its genetically based - evolution may also play a role.
[(Bouchard, 1990) - aim: To what extent is our behavior based on genes or influenced by the environment. Mono zygotic twins, 50 h testing. The similarity in brain wave activity of the twins were high. The similarity of blood pressure of the twins when being apart where less then when being together. The genetic factors appear to account for most of the variation in human characteristics.] - Cognition, emotion and behavior are products of our nervous and endocrine system. There a links between hormone and behavior.
Specific features are associated with neural activity, eg emotions and behavior. (Fischer, 2005). Aim: To study courtship attraction in humans by looking at early stages of intense romantic love. 10 women, 7 men. Picture of beloved. 2 conditions.
Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the biological level of analysis (for example, correlation studies).
If the correlation is positive between two variables, the closer link the greater association. Negative correlation- one increase, other decrease. e.g TV and aggression. Zero correlation means no link at all.
Limitations - Cause & effect.
Strengths - no manipulation of variables and natural changes can be observed.
Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies as the Biological Level of Analysis.
Ethical cosiderations, according to BPA & APA: ex ex ex ex
Coen (2006) investigated spouse’s physical expressions of support on responses to threatening situations. Sixteen happily married coupes participated in the study. The women lay in a scanner, receiving fairly painful electrical shocks. 3 trials: spouse, stranger, alone. Results showed that the women found it least unpleasant when their hand was held by their spouse, but more unpleasant when their hand was held by a stranger or no one at all.
Thereby, there are ethical considerations that are necessary to consider.
* Physical and psychological harm (unpleasantly)
(* Stress)
Explain one study related to localization of the brain.
Amygdala - sexual behavior, emotion and memory. (Hamann, 2005) f MRI neuro-imaging, 14 men and 14 women - viewed sexually arousing pictures, neutral pictures or control. IV: photographs. DV: activation of amygdala.
Findings - Amygdala & hypothalamus, more in men. Left amygdala (men) = localisation of function. Neuro-imaging supports amygdala activity.
Using one or more examples, explain effects of neurotransmitters on human behavior.
Principle = That human behavior are products of our systems. Serotonin and depression.
Human behavior, Depression - Depression is caused by a reduced activity in serotonin re-uptake. Physiological example = serotonin re-uptake taking place in a septicw neuron, release of serotonin.
(Andersen, 1994). Aim: to investigate self-efficacy and safety of serotonin re-uptake in treating post-stroke depression. 66 depressed stroke patients. 6week double-blind. Treatment and placebo. Half of the 28 patients recovered within a month.
A direct link between serotonin and depression. Apply to principle again: neurotransmitters affect behavior.
Using one or more examples, explain functions of two hormones in human behavior.
Oxytocin - Chemical substance, endocrine system. Released from pituitary gland -> stimulated by hypothalamus. Bonding, reproduction and survival. Relationship - bonding, trust.
Baumgarter (2008) - investigate role of oxytocin after breaches of trust in a trust game. Correlation: Oxycontin & trust. 49 males, placebo or Oxycontin. Placebo = decreased rate of trust.
Oxycontin = continued to invest similarly regardless of their trusting behavior.
Cortisol - Released by stress by adrenal cortex. Prolonged - can cause impairment of memory, weakening of hippo-campus. (Newcomer, 1999) - investigate cortisol interference with verbal declarative memory (recall words from list with distractions). 51 healthy people, randomized, double-blind, 4 days.
1. high level of cortisol.
2. low level of cortisol.
3. placebo.
High level - worse verbal declarative memory. opposite low level.
Animal research related to BLOA.
Principle - animal research may enhance our understanding of human behavior.
Le Doux (1999) - 1. lesion to auditory cortex. 2. lesion to the auditory halamus. 3. Lesion to amygdala.
Reults : 1. no disturbance. 2. rats did not learn to fear. 3. Wiped out fear conditioning.
Knowledge about where emotional memories are stored and how they work. Rats are good participants. However, humans have more complex neuro-logical connections and consciousness.
Explain how biological factors may affect one cognitive process. (e.g brain damage)
Memory -
Biological factor - surgery.
H.M Case Study. Epleptic seizures, medial temporal lobe + hippo campus.
