Neurotransmitters

Question 1

What are neurotransmitters?

Answer 1

Neurotransmitters are electrochemical messengers that transmit nerve impulses across the synaptic gap during the process of synaptic transmission.

Question 2

What is the aim of Crockett et al’s 2010 study?

Answer 2

To investigate whether a person’s free will (prosocial) can be affected by Biology (serotonin levels).

Question 3

Procedure of Crockett’s study?

Answer 3

• 30 volunteers of mean age 26 participated in both levels of the IV (repeated measures, counterbalanced and double blind study)
• Condition 1: they were given a dose of citalopram (SSRI- blocks serotonin uptake, boosting its concentration and prolonging its effects). Condition 2: control/placebo
• Participants were given a series of moral dilemmas (the personal or impersonal trolley problem) which made them choose between a utilitarian outcome (saving 5 people) and aversive harmful actions (letting 1 person be killed)
  Personal: pushing a man off a bridge or
  Impersonal: pressing a lever to divert the train to hit 1 person instead of 5

Question 4

Findings of Crockett’s study?

Answer 4

• Impersonal scenario (pressing lever) unaffected by citalopram.
• Those with citalopram were less likely to push in personal scenario compared to placebo group. The average person says no.
• With citalopram, participants are more opposed to pushing the man off the bridge.

Question 5

Conclusions of Crockett’s study?

Answer 5

Serotonin reduces acceptability of personal harm and promotes social behaviour

Question 6

Strengths of Crockett’s study?

Answer 6

• Repeated measures and counterbalancing

- Double blind technique reduces participant and researcher bias

Question 7

Limitations of Crockett’s study?

Answer 7

• Citalopram can cause slight nausea

- Pps could work out which condition they were in, may have affected results

Question 8

What is the aim of Rogers and Kesner’s 2004 study?

Answer 8

To investigate the effect of acetylcholine (ACH) on memory in rats.

Question 9

Procedure of Rogers and Kesner’s study?

Answer 9

• Rats were taught to complete a t-maze with a reward at one end. They were divided into 3 groups:
  1. Injected with scopolamine (blocks arch receptor sites)
  2. Given drug that reduced build up of cholinesterase (‘cleans up’ neurotransmitters after use)
  3. Control group, no drugs

Question 10

Findings of Rogers and Kesner’s study?

Answer 10

Rats given scopolamine did worst, took longer and made more mistakes.
Rats given drug that reduced build up of cholinesterase took faster and made fewer mistakes than before.

Question 11

Conclusions of Rogers and Kesner’s study?

Answer 11

Due to the cause and effect nature of this study, it can be deduced that ACH as a positive effect on memory in its consolidation.

Question 12

Strengths of Rogers and Kesner’s study?

Answer 12

Use of control group made it possible to establish cause and effect relationship between each level and memory.

Question 13

Limitations of Rogers and Kesner’s study?

Answer 13

Not certain to what extent study can be generalized to humans - the effect of ACH may differ