Chapter 12 - Individual Differences Study Guide Flashcards
What are the main functions underlying variations in asymmetry
language processing
spatial processing
emotional processing
sensory processing
motor control
cognitive flexibility
developmental factors
What anatomical differences relate to handedness (if any)
larger motor cortical hand area in LH if right hand
male right handers have deeper fissure on LH
larger corpus callosum in left hand and both hand
neural fibers descend to dominant hand
What are the theories for why there is handedness
environmental
anatomical
hormonal
genetic
What is the environmental theory for handedness
handedness could be reinforced by social and physical environment which often favours RHers
What is the anatomical theory for handedness
focus on brain asymmetry, handedness could result from dominance of LH development
What is the hormonal theory for handedness
prenatal exposure to testosterone affects brain organization, inhibiting LH development and potentially leading to LHers
What is the genetic theory for handedness
there is no single gene identified, genetics have influence on handedness
maybe a gene that helps LH develop for speech which makes it easier to use right hand
What is the relationship between handedness and language localization (focus on left handers)
70% of LHers still have language localized in LH
15% LHers have language in RH
remaining 15% have language distributed across both
What are the 10 things we know about sexual differentiation
female = mathematical calculation, recall of story, remembering displaced objects, fine motor coordination, rapid matching on perceptual test
male = mathematical reasoning, geometric form, mentally rotating objects, target motor skills, visualizing holes punched in paper
What are the 6 general differences in behaviour of males and females
verbal ability, visuospatial analysis, mathematical ability, perception, and motor skills (6?)
What are some anatomical differences in the brains of females vs males
female = larger language areas, larger amount of grey matter, thicker cortex
male = larger amygdala and hypothalamus, larger white matter, more neurons overall, larger brain
What do studies of neurological patients tell us about sex differences in the brain
men show more asymmetrical effects when they have lesions
different patterns in brain organization, damage to left frontal is similar to men damage to left posterior
differences in how brain adapts, boys can shift language from LH to RH
What do imaging studies tell us about sex differences in the brain
females have more interhemispheric connectivity vs. males have more intrahemispheric
males show stronger connections with RH vs. females with LH
What is an effect size
process to measure how much behaviour differs between two groups
takes average scores of each group and compares to usual performance
How is effect size relevant to sex differences in behaviour
shows how meaningful differences are, tells us HOW LARGE the difference is
What are examples of sex differences in brain anatomy
wernicke’s area = men show left-right asymmetry
sylvian fissure = men larger horizontal component
corpus callosum = women have more interhemispheric
anterior commissure = women have larger
fingerprints = atypical fingerprint patterns correlates with cognitive performances
How does the homosexual rain differ from heterosexual brain
different hypothalamus
ventral striatum activity, heterosexual respond to female stimuli
anterior cingulate cortex was thicker and cortical connections are different in homosexual men
How do transgender brains differ from cisgender brains
central amygdala is different
unique pattern of cerebral networks mediating self-body perception
What is the novel theory about what might be an important contributor to being transgender
multisense theory of gender dysphoria
gender dysphoria arises because of the differences in functional networks related to self-body perception instead of mismatch between sex and gender identity.
sense of gender is shaped by multiple brain networks
how individuals perceive their body and sense of ownership
What are the 5 theories as to why there are sex differences
hormonal effects
genetic sex linkage
maturation rate
environmental factors
preferred cognitive mode
Explain the hormonal effects theory as to why there are sex differences
testosterone and estrogen influence brain development and function
have affect during developmental periods and cognitive performance
Explain the genetic sex linkage theory as to why there are sex differences
recessive genes on the X chromosome may influence traits like spatial ability and cognitive abilities
Explain the maturation rate theory as to why there are sex differences
females typically mature faster (reading, verbal abilities) may influence cognitive abilities
Explain the environmental factors theory as to why there are sex differences
social and cultural influences shape behaviour and cognitive abilities with different expectations and experiences for each gender
Explain the preferred cognitive method theory as to why there are sex differences
sexes may develop different cognitive preferences which reflects both biological and environmental influences
How does experience/environment influence cerebral asymmetry
language and culture = influence how the brain processes info (chinese uses more RH)
sensory deprivation = enviro deficits, congenital deafness or blindness, alter cerebral organization
environmental enrichment and deprivation = enriched environments enhance brain growth and organization
How does SES affect the brain
enrichment can influence cognitive development because of increased exposure
reduced gray matter volume in PFC, hippocampus, amygdala, crucial for executive functioning
Is there asymmetry in nonhumans? What does this imply about asymmetry in humans?
yes, fish when turning, monkeys with handedness, songbirds
suggests lateralization is not unique to humans
may suggest an evolutionary advantage
genetic and environmental factors play a role in shaping the brains organization
What is the evidence that blind people can hear in the visual cortex
cross-modal plasticity
fMRI and PET scans show V1 and occipital lobe activation in blind people during auditory tasks
use auditory clues to localize sounds
echolocation which relies on auditory processing
