Factors that affect behaviour, emotion and thought Flashcards
What factors affect behaviour, emotion and thought?
Physical activity and drugs
What did Statistics Canada (1999) find?
1 in 4 Canadians who exercised regularly reported feeling more energetic, less depressed, tired less often
Describe the study done by Lisa McCann and David Holmes (1984) and its conclusions.
Assigned 1/3 of depressed female college students to relaxation group, 1/3 to program of aerobic exercise, 1/3 (control group) received no treatment. Before treatment, no significant difference between groups. 10 weeks later, depression level of participants was re-evaluated.
Found that control group had little change; both treatment groups improved, with exercise group making greater gains
What did Cooney and colleagues (2013) find?
Exercise is moderately more effective than no intervention but comparable to psychological and pharmacological therapies in reducing depression.
Why might exercise have positive effects?
Include researcher info
- strengthens heart, increasing blood flow and decreasing BP and BP reaction to stress (Barinaga, 1997, cited in Myers, 2007)
- provides mastery experiences that help promote perceived ability to cope with depression (Craft, 2005)
- increases production of mood-boosting neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline, serotonin, and the endorphins (Salmon, 2001, cited in Myers, 2007)
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemicals that affect the way messages are passed from one neuron to another
What is reuptake?
The sending neuron usually reabsorbs any excess neurotransmitter molecules
What happens when an excess of neurotransmitters is produced?
The individual experiences a mood boost
Explain the ‘runner’s high’
When an excess of neurotransmitters is produced the individual experiences a mood boost. This is thought to explain the ‘runner’s high’ that many people report after vigorous aerobic exercise.
What did Tanaka & Shirakawa (2004) find?
Exercise leads to higher levels of physical self-concept: we feel better about our bodies, sleep better, have sense of accomplishment
In this way exercise could indirectly contribute to us feeling & thinking better
Name the three main types of drugs
Depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens
Define depressants and give example
a drug that slows the activity of the nervous system and slows bodily functions
e.g. alcohol, cannabis
Define stimulants and give example
a drug that excites the nervous system and arouses the body’s function
e.g. caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines
Define hallucinogens and give example
a drug that changes perceptions and gives sensory images without input from the senses
e.g. LSD, ketamine
What are the physiological responses to alcohol?
Depressant, so slows activity of CNS and rate at which messages pass from brain to body
