Chapter 1 The Major Issues Flashcards
What are the four major types of explanation of behaviour sought by biological psychologists? 1.1
Physiological explanation: relates behaviour to the activity of brain and other organs
Ontogenetic explantion-describes how a sturcture or behaviour develops
Evolutionary explanation: reconstructs the evolutionary history of a behaviour
Functional explanation: describes why a structure/ or behaviour evolved as it did.
Discuss the singing of birds from each of these perspectives. 1.1
Physiological- male brain in songbirds praticular area grows under influence of testosterone. Therefore larger in breeding males than females.
Ontogenetic-young males learn its song by listening to adult males. Developmentt requires certain set of genes and opportunity to hear the songs
Evoltionary- certain types of birds have similar songs-suggesting related
Functional most species only male sings during reproductive season.
What is the effect of testosterone on the brain of male songbirds?1.1
Particular area of brain grows under influence of testosterone=> mature male bird singing
What is an ontogenentic explanation? 1.1
Descibes how a structure or behaviour develops including the influence of genes, nutrition, experiences and their interactions
What is an evolutionary explanation? 1.1
Reconstructs the eolutionary history of a structure or behaviour
Characteristic features are often a modification of something found in the ancesteral species
What are the two functions of the male birds song? 1.1
Attract female for mating
Warn away other males
What should we infer about an animal’s or human’s understanding of his or her behaviour?
1.1
What are the two major positions regarding the mind-brain relationship? List the main variants of these major positions. Give a strength and a weakness of each of these positions. 1.1
1.1
What is the relationship between mental experience and brain activity?
A few scholars have suggested that we do away with the concep of consciousness or mind altogether (Churchland and Dennett)
Whereas Chalmers and Rensch proposed instead that we regard consciousness as fundamental property of matter. A fundamental property is one that cannot be reduced to something else. Eg. Mass is a fundamental property.
According to David Chalmers, what kinds of issues do “easy problems” deal with? 1.1
Specific application of the term conciousness to wakefulness vs sleep.
What is the main hard problem? 1.1
Given this universe is composed of matter and energy why is there such a thing as conciousness?
According to Daniel Dennett, what is the relationship of the “hard problem” to the “easy problems”? 1.1
Once wwe understand all the easy problems the hard problems will go away.
What is Patricia Churchland’s position on “hard” and “easy” problems? 1.1
Too soon to know which problems are the hardest
Too soon to give up on phsical explanation for conciousness
What is the problem of other minds? How does solpsism leal with that problem? 1.1
Solipsism- I alone exist
Problems of other minds- ???
How do non-solipsists deal with the problem of other minds in humans? In animals? 1.1
1.1 From old study guide (? Not in new)
Briefly , what is a gene? 1.2
Unit of heredity that maintain their structural identity from on generation to the next.
What is the relationship between DNA and RNA? Between one type of RNA and protein molecules? 1.2
DNA-deoxyribonucleic acid A,G,C,T
Strand of DNA serves as the template for synthesis of RNA.
RNA is single stranded and is a copy of one strand DNA except T is replaced by U
MRNA serves as template for protein molec AGCU
What are two major functions of protein molecules? 1.2
enzymes
Form part of the structure of the body
What does it mean for an individual to be homozygous for a particular gene? 1.2
Homozygous-identical pair of genes on two chromosomes
Heterozygous- unmatched pair.
What is a dominant gene” when can the effects of a recessive gene be seen? 1.2
Shows its effect whether in homozygous/heterozygous.
Recessive only shoes its traits if homozygous.
What is crossing over” ? 1.2
During neiosis chromosomes exchange parts of their arms and allows for the recombination of genes between homologous chromosomes
On which chromosome are almost all sex-linked genes? 1.2
“X”
Wat is a sex-limited gene? On which chromosomes may it occur? Why are its effects usually limited to one sex? 1.2
Present in both sexes but actuve maining in one sex
Generally on autosomal chromosomes
Egs chest hair, breasts
Activated by sex hormones
How is heritability of a trait determined? 1.2
Genetic effects and also consider the effects of environment
Applies to a certgain population at certain times.
What is phenylketonuria (PKU)? How can its effects be modified? 1.2
Genetic inability to metabolize the amino acid heylalanine
Hereditary condition, but environmental interventions can modify them
Strict low phenylalanine diet.
What are some of the ways in which genes may infuence behaviour? 1.2
Eg. If a person has a gene for alcoholism- does not mean that the person/ gene causes alcoholism. Rather it produces a protein under certain cucumstances increases the probability of alcoholism
Some genes control brain chemicals and others affect behaviour indirectly
What is evolution? 1.2
Change over generations in frequencies of various genes in a population
What is artificial selection? 1.2
Choose individuals with certain traits to breed.
Does the use or disuse of a structure or beheviour cause an evolutionary increase or decrease in that feature? What is lamarkian evolution? 1.2
No does not influence our use/ disuse
Causes it to change
Lamarkian evolution- eg use arm muscles more => children having larger muscles
He humans stopped evolving? 1.2
People think human evolution has stopped because of modern medicine.
Does evolution always imply improvement? Why or why not? 1.2
Evlution means fitness for what was good for previous generations-eg bright tails is good for attacing mates but bad if new predetor responds to bright colours.
How can a gene that promotes altruistic behaviour be maintained in evolution, if it places its possessor in danger? 1.2
Altruistic behaviour- an action that benefits someone other than the “actor”
Helps other idividulas survive and spread their genes
Eg humans help charities, dpnate a kidney to save a life etc.
What kinds of issues do sociobiologists seek to epxlain? What are two criticisms of sociobiological explanations? 1.2
1.2
What are four reasons biological psychologists study nonhuman animals? 1.3
Underlying mechanisms of behaviour are similar across speicies and sometimes easier to study in non-humans
Interested in animals for their own sake
What we leave about animals sheds light on human evolution
Legal/ethical restrictions prevent certain research on humans.
Compare the position of the minimalists and the abolitionists with regard to the onduct of animal research 1.3
Minimalists tolerate certain kinds of animal research but wis to prohibit others depending on probable valu of research, amt of distress to animals and types of animals.
Abolitionists- no room for comprimes-all animals have same rights as jumans
What is the role of the Laboratory Animal Care Committees? What groups are represented in their membership? 1.3
1.3
Describe the main issues sudied by neuroscientists, and specifically, behavioural neuroscientists? 1.4
Neuroscientists-studies anatomy, biochem or physiology of nervous system
Behavioural neuroscientist: investigates how the functioning of the brain and other organs influence behaviour.
What is a neuropsychologist? Where do they usually work? 1.4
-conducts behavioural tests to determine the abilities and disabilities of people with various kinds of brain damage.
Work in hospitals and clinics.
Wht does a psychophysiologist study? 1.4
Measures heart rate breathing rate, brain waves and other body processes and how they vafy from one person to another or one situation to another.
Compare the main issues studied by comparative psychologist with those studied by sociobiologists. 1.4
Comparative: compares behaviours of different species and tries to relate them to their habitats and ways of life
Sociobiologist/evolutionary: relates social behaviours including those of humans to the fuction they have save and therefore presumed selective pressures have formed.
Distinguish among neurologists, neurosurgeons, and psychiatrists. 1.4
Neurologist: treats people with brain damage/disease
Neurosurgeons performs brain surgery
Psychiatrist-helps people with emotional distress or troublesome behaviours.
Biological psychology 1.1
Is the study of the physiological evolutionary and developmental mechanisms of behaviour and experience.
It emphasizes that the goal is to relate biology to issues of psychology
Physiological explanation 1.1
Relates a behaviour to the activity of the brain and other organs.
Ontogenetic explanation 1.1
Describes how a structure of behaviour develops, including influences of genes, nutrition, experiences and their interactions.
Evolutionary explanation 1.1
Reconstructs the evolutionary history of a structure or a behaviour.
The characteristic features of an animal are almost always modifications of something found in ancestral species.
Functional explanation 1.1
Describes why a structure of behaviour evolved as it did.
Within a small, isolated population, a gene can spread by accident through a process called genetic drift.
Example a dominant male may spread all of his genes including some that helped him become dominant and others genes that were neutral or possibly disadvantageous.
Neuroscientist 1.1
Studies the anatomy, biochemistry, or physiology of the nervous system.
Behavioural Neuroscientist 1.1
Investigates how functioning of the brain and other organs influences behaviour
Sort of similar (aka) psychobiologist, biopsychologist, or physiological psychologist
Neuropsychologist 1.1
Conducts Behavioural tests to determine the abilities and disabilities of people with various kinds of brain damage and changes in their condition over time. Most have a mixture of psychological and medical training.
Cognitive neuroscientist 1.1
Uses brain research, such as scans of brain anatomy or activity to analyze and explore peoples knowledge, thinking and problem solving.
Psychophysiologist 1.1
Measures heart rate, breathing rate, brain waves and other body processes and how they vary from person to person or in one situation to another.
Neurochemist 1.1
Investigates the chemical reactions in the brain
Comparative psychologist 1.1
Compares the behaviours of different species and tries to relate them to their habitats and ways of life
Evolutionary psychologist 1.1
Relates behaviours, especially social behaviours, including those of humans, to the functions they have served and therefore the presumed selective pressures that caused them to evolve
Clinical psychologist 1.1
Helps people with emotional problems (PhD or PsyD)
Counseling psychologist 1.1
Helps people make educational, vocational and other decisions. (PhD or PsyD)
School psychologist 1.1
Identifies educational needs of school children, devises a plan to neet the needs and then helps teachers implement it.
Neurologist 1.1
Treats people with brain damage or diseases of the brain
Neurosurgeon
1.1
Performs brain surgery
Psychiatrist
1.1
Helps people with emotional distress or troublesome behaviours, sometimes using drugs or other medical procedures.
Physical therapist
1.1
Provides exercise and other treatments to help people with muscle or nerve problems, pain or anything else that impairs movement.
Occupational therapist
1.1
Helps people improve their ability to perform functions of daily life, for example after a stroke.
Social worker
1.1
Helps people deal with personal and family problems. The activities of a social worker overlap those of a clinical psychologist.
What is the concept of heritability?
Why can it be over estimated?
1.2
Heritability is what you get is from your genes as opposed to environment.
It can be over estimated because just because you have the gene for a particular trait…environment may alter it (eg alcoholism)
How much of a variation is in differences is due to the genes.
Reasons for animal research 1.3
The underlying mechanisms of behaviour are similar across species and sometimes easier to study in a non human species
We are interested in animals for their own sake.
What we learn about animals sheds light on human evolution.
Legal or ethical restrictions prevent certain kinds of research on humans.
Altruistic behavior
an action that benefits someone other than the actor
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
a single-strand chemical
Sentinel behavior
watching for danger and warning others
Sex-limited gene
gene that exerts its effects primarily in one sex because of activation by androgens or estrogens, although members of both sexes may have the gene
Sex-linked gene
gene on either the X or the Y chromosome
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
a genetic inability to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine
Physiological explanation
understanding in terms of the activity of the brain and other organs
Recessive gene
one that shows effects only in the homozygous condition
Reciprocal altruism
helping others who may be helpful in return
Kin selection
selection for a gene that benefits the individual’s relatives
Lamarckian evolution
theory of evolution through the inheritance of acquired characteristics
Ontogenetic explanation
understanding in terms of how a structure or behavior develops
Monozygotic twins
twins derived from one egg
Mind–brain problem (or mind–body problem)
question about the relationship between mental experience and brain activity
Genes
units of heredity that maintain their structural identity from one generation to another
Hard problem
philosophical question as to why and how brain activity becomes conscious
Heritability
estimate of the degree to which variation in a characteristic depends on genetic variations in a given population
Homozygous
having two identical genes for a given characteristic
Heterozygous
having two unlike genes for a given trait
Artificial selection
a process of selecting plants/animals for desired traits
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
double-stranded molecule that is part of the chromosomes
Chromosomes
strands of genes
Biological psychology
the study of the physiological, evolutionary, and developmental mechanisms of behavior and experience
Autosomal genes
all chromosomes other than X and Y
Dizygotic twins
fraternal (non-identical) twins derived from two eggs
Dominant gene
gene that shows a strong effect in either the homozygous or heterozygous condition
Enzymes
biological catalysts that regulate chemical reactions in the body
Epigenetics
a field that deals with changes in gene expression without modification of the DNA sequence
Evolution
a change over generations in the frequencies of various genes in a population
Evolutionary explanation
understanding in terms of the evolutionary history of a structure or behavior
Functional explanation
understanding why a structure or behavior evolved as it did
Fitness
the spreading of genes; number of copies of one’s genes that endure in later generations
Evolutionary psychology
field that deals with how behaviors evolved
