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Biological Psychology > Methods > Flashcards

Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Are correlations a method

A

No, they are a way of analysing a set of data

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2
Q

What type of variables are used in a correlation

A

Co-variables

THERE IS NO DEPENDENT/INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

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3
Q

What is a co-variable

A

One of the two variables you measure in a correlation

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4
Q

What is a positive correlation

A

Both co-variables will change in the same direction

From above zero up to one

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5
Q

What is a negative correlation

A

Where the co-variables change in different directions

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6
Q

What type of diagram/graph is used to illustrate a correlation

A

Scatter graph

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7
Q

What are the strengths of a correlation

A

Useful when unable to manipulate due to ethical reasons

Useful for initial investigation

Rely on quantitative data which is easy to replace increasing reliability

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8
Q

What are the weaknesses of a correlation

A
  1. Do not show a causal relationship
  2. Hidden/Intervening variables could affect the co-variable
  3. Uses quantitative data so may lack validity
  4. Issue with direction of causality
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9
Q

What is the lack of direction of causality with a correlation

A

The two co-variables are linked but the direction is not clear.

You cannot tell which is effecting the other

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10
Q

What is a hidden variable

A

Where there is no direct link between the two co-variables

However a third variable has an effect on both independently

So as the third variable increases/decreases it causes the co-variables to increase/decrease but the two co-variables do not directly have an effect on each other

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11
Q

What is an intervening variable

A

Where co-variable 1 has no direct effect on co-variable 2

But does effect variable 3 which in turn has an effect on variable 2

1->3->2

But 1 doesn’t effect 2 directly

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12
Q

What is needed to use a spearmans rho test

A

Correlation

Ordinal data

Test of association

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13
Q

Different types of brain scans

A

PET
CAT
fMRI

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14
Q

What does a PET scan show and how does it work

A

Brain function, red areas = high activity, blue areas = low activity

Pp is injected with radioactive glucose
The pp then performs a task
As brain works tracer breaks down causing gamma rays to be released
Which are detected by a scanner
Lots of gamma rays = lots of activity
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15
Q

What does an fMRI scan show and how does it work

A

Brain function

Pp place their head in a large electromagnet
As neural activity increases there is an increase in blood flow to more active areas, as the brain needs more O2 there
Hb in blood repels magnetic field when it has O2
When it releases O2 it will follow the direction of the magnetic field
Creating a map of activation showing changing levels of neural activity

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16
Q

What does a CAT scan show and how does it work

A

It shows brain structure

Pass X-rays through the head from different angles
Producing images in slices on the brain

17
Q

Brain scanning techniques to investigate human behaviour such as aggression

A

Raine used PET scans with NGRI

Montag used fMRI to investigate the influence of violent video games

Grafman used CT scans to assess the relationship between aggression and frontal lobe lesions

18
Q

One twin study

A

Gottesman and shields

MZ = 42%

DZ = 17%

19
Q

One adoption study

A

Cadoret and Stewart

Adopted boys increased risk of attention deficit, hyperactivity and aggression as children, if a parent had committed of a crime - nature

Also if a member of the adopted family had psychiatric problems more likely hyperactivity and aggression - nurture

Aggression extremely complex

Could use Tienari

20
Q

Issues with cause and effect on correlations

A

Cannot identify a causal relationship

Or the direction of causality

21
Q

+ PET

A

Shows brain function and how active each area is

22
Q

+ fMRI

A

Non invasive

Practical and safe but not suitable for everyone

Clear images with excellent resolution

Easily repeated

23
Q
  • fMRI
A

Expensive

Only infer conclusions

Data is correlational not cause and effect

Subjective to interpret the data

Distressing to some individuals as they’re noisy and loud

Not suitable to those with electric implants due to magnetic field

24
Q

-PET scan

A

Invasive

25
Q

-CAT scans

A

Not suitable for pregnant women as X rays can damage baby

26
Q
  • of twin and adoption studies
A

Limited sample sizes - bad generalisability

Adoptees tend to be put in families that reflect their family background they came from - so nurture could be similar

Only a correlation doesn’t show causation

27
Q

+ of twin and adoption studies

A

Provides evidence for nature vs nurture

Supporting evidence to show clearly different environments have different effects

Biological Psychology (10 decks)

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