Feinstein et al (2011) [CASE OF SM]

Question 1

What was the aim of the Feinstein et al.
(Frankenstein = spooké)

Answer 1

to explore the role of the amygdala and behavior in the specific case of SM

Question 2

What was special about SM

Answer 2

Case of SM had a rare genetic disease that caused lesions on the temporal lobe and amygdala (fMRI), supposedly didn’t have fear

Question 3

What was the method used in Feinstein et al?

Answer 3

Exposed her to fear inducing situations to measure her reactions
(Popular horror movie scenes, snakes, haunted house tours)

conducted 3 months of interviews

Question 4

What was the result of Feinstein Et Al

Answer 4

SM lacked a biological fear response esp. in comparison to “normal” people

Felt curiosity for things she disliked

this drew the conclusion that the amygdala controls the biological fear response fight or flight

Question 5

What were the limitations of Feinstein et al?

Answer 5

Potential demand characteristics

Ratings of fear could be different from the actual amount of fear

Small amount of self-report bias

Validity

Only able to focus on one individual or a small group of individuals so it is not able to be generalized

Question 6

What were the strengths

Answer 6

precision tech- fMRI
noticeable outlier

Can establish a relationship between the amygdala and fear

Is able to be triangulated (due to us all having the same brain)

fMRI

Structure