Child topic 2 - Risk Taking

Question 1

What was the aim of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 1

To find out if there is a difference in neural activity between adolescent and adult brains when given risk taking scenarios

Question 2

What was the sample of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 2

19 right handed adults (aged 25-30 from USA
22 right handed adolescents (aged 13-17) from USA

Question 3

What requirements did the sample have in Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 3

They couldn’t have any metal on their bodies, or any history of mental illness or neural damage.

Question 4

How was the sample collected in Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 4

through poster and internet advertisements approved through the Uni of California
Also from a database of previous participants

Question 5

What happened in the intake session of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 5

Ps gave info about the amount and source of their income per month
Ps had a mock fMRI scan to acclimatise
Ps were given $20 - told this was their playing money so could double it or lose all of it.

Question 6

Outline what happened in the actual procedure of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 6

A neuro-imaging session
Whilst having an fMRI scan, they completed a computerised gambling task, told that one of their choices would be the real one at the end.

Question 6

Outline what happened in the actual procedure of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 6

A neuro-imaging session
Whilst having an fMRI scan, they completed a computerised gambling task, told that one of their choices would be the real one at the end.

Question 7

Explain the computerised gambling task in Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study

Answer 7

They were shown a spinner, and two options the spinner could fall on, each with a number betwee -$20 and $20/ For each of these trials, they had to indicate how willing they would be to play that risk (through a 4 point scale Accept = 1, reject = 4)

Question 8

How many of each type of trial occurred in Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 8

24 win/win, 24 lose/lose, 144 mixed
192 in total

Question 9

what were the behavioural results of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 9

Where no risk was involved, both groups made similar judgements
an increased Expected value increased likelihood of both groups accepting a gamble
However, adolescents were more likely than adults to accept gambles involving higher EVs

Question 10

What were the neural results of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 10

The ventral Striatum was of most interest and the fMRI showed more activation in adolescents as Ev increased
there was reduced activity in the amygdala, which is involved in fear response

Question 11

What were the conclusions of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

Answer 11

Adolescents place higher value on rewards than adults do
Neural representations of value in adolescents are linked to increased risk-taking behaviour

Question 12

What is Synaptogenesis?

Answer 12

the process by which new synapses are formed between neurons

Question 13

What is Exuberant synaptogenesis?

Answer 13

Production of many more synapses than necessary. After three years, there follows a period of synaptic loss which fine tunes brain structure and function

Question 14

Outline synaptic pruning

Answer 14

Inactive synapses due off, allowing the remaining synapses to become myelinated and therefore more efficient - it creates order in the brain, so areas become specialised for certain functions

Question 15

Outline Graduated Driving licences

Answer 15

As teenagers are naturally more risky than adults, new drivers are given a probationary period where their driving is restricted in certain ways
There are different levels of driving license - the aim is to increase driving experience for the learner but with a reduced number of additional distractions

Question 16

What effects can omega 3 have on the brain?

Answer 16

Brain cells with high levels of omega 3 in their membranes are thought to be better at communicating with other cells, so a lack is associated with a wide range of conditions, including ADHD, autism, depression and bipolar disorder

Question 17

What was the sample of Mauro-Martin’s study?

Answer 17

60 children with ADHD, 6-16 from Madrid (41 boys and 18 girls)

Question 18

Outline the procedure of Mauro-Martin’s study

Answer 18

Participant were divided into four groups - one control and 3 interventions groups - one on a Mediterranean diet, one on omega 3 supplements and one on both.
They were tested with the Barrett impulsiveness scale before and after this 8 week period.

Question 19

What were the results of Mauro-Martin’s study?

Answer 19

The only group to score lower on the B15-11C scale after the intervention was the omega 3 supplement group, and they showed a fairly significant decrease

Question 20

What did De Bellis do?

Answer 20

He conducted MRI scans on 44 children and adolescents with PTSD (from maltreatment) and 61 controls

Question 21

What were the behavioural tresults of de Bellis’ study?

Answer 21

Neglect groups had significantly lower IQ, reading and maths, also selective differences in complex visual attention, visual memory, language, verbal memory, planning and problem solving

Question 22

What were the biological results of De Bellis’ study?

Answer 22

Intercranial volume decreased by 70% in PTSD participants
earlier onset or long lasting abuse correlated with smaller intracranial volume
negative correlation between PTSD symptoms and neurocognitive outcomes and academic achievement.
Found decreased total area in corpus callosum and smaller overall brain volume in those with PTSD

Question 23

What were the conclusions of De Bellis’ study?

Answer 23

traumatic experiences may contribute to subsequent neurodevelopmental risk in neglected children