Synaptic transmission as an explanation for human behaviour

Question 1

Overview of synaptic transmission - P1, A01

Answer 1

Synaptic transmission is the wat in which the neurones in the brain communicate with neural networks without physically touching
Signals within neurones are transmitted electrically, but signals between neurones are transmitted chemically across the synapse

Question 2

Weakness of synaptic transmission explaining human behaviour, reductionist - P1, A03

Answer 2

One weakness of using synaptic transmission as an explanation of human behaviour is that it is reductionist
This theory only explains human behaviour as being caused by neurotransmitters and ignores other influences such as this human behaviour being caused by learning behaviours off role models as social learning theory suggests
Therefore, this means that there may be other factors such as observation of role models which affect human behaviour not just the function of neurotransmitters in the brain

Question 3

Electrical element of synaptic transmission - P2, A01

Answer 3

When an action potential reaches the end of the presynaptic neurone and a nerve impulse is generated the synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic neuron are stimulated to move towards the presynaptic membrane ready for the release of the neurotransmitters across the synaptic gap

Question 4

Strength of synaptic transmission explaining human behaviour, study evidence - P2, A03

Answer 4

Olds and Milner carried out a study to find out what would happen if they electrically stimulated different parts of the brain to see what behaviour rats showed in response
They found that there are numerous areas in the the brain where electrical stimulation is rewarding in the sense that the experimental animal will stimulate itself in these places frequently and regularly for long periods of time if permitted to do so
Therefore, this means that

Question 5

COUNTER ARGUMENT TO Strength of synaptic transmission explaining human behaviour, generalisability - P2, A03

Answer 5

However, this study was carried out of rats
This means that the results found of there being numerous areas in the brain where electrical stimulation is rewarding in the sense that the experimental animal will stimulate itself in these places frequently and regularly for long periods of time if permitted to do so may not also be the case for humans as the electrical stimulation may not have the same effect as it did in rats
Therefore this means that the results of the study may not be generalisable to humans and the stimulation may not be rewarding in the same way that it was in rats

Question 6

Chemical element of synaptic transmission - P3, A01

Answer 6

Once the neurotransmitters have been released from the synaptic vesicles into the synaptic gap, they bind to matching receptor sites on the post synaptic neuron
the chemical signal carried by the neurotransmitters is converted back into an electrical signal in the post synaptic neurone which may fire another action potential

Question 7

Strength of synaptic transmission explaining human behaviour, application- P2, A03

Answer 7

one strength of having knowledge of how synaptic transmission takes place is that there can be an improvement in addiction treatments for recreational drugs
For example, once heroine was identified as an antagonist that binds to opiate receptors other drugs were developed with a reverse mode of action
Naloxone is an antagonist, so not rewarding euphoria is associated with heroine
This can help to manage the withdrawal process because users stop taking heroine
Therefore, this is a treatment which has been developed from greater knowledge of the effects of recreational drugs on synaptic transmission