test 2

Question 1

Localization of function

Answer 1

Certain areas of the brain correspond to certain function

Question 2

Neuroplasticity

Answer 2

The brain’s ability to adapt in structure/function in response to experience

Question 3

Study for neuroplasticity

Answer 3

Maguire: To see if taxi drivers brains looked different from non-taxi drivers. Involved comparing the participant’s hippocampuses, which is responsible for memory formation. Results showed that taxi drivers hippocampus was larger than the non taxi drivers and volume of hippocampus correlated with the amount of time spent as a taxi driver.

Question 4

Neurotransmitters and their effect on behavior

Answer 4

Neurotransmitters are chemicals exchanged between neurons so that they can communicate

Question 5

Study for neurotransmitters and their effect on behavior

Answer 5

Fisher: To test whether there is specific neural mechanisms associated with romantic love. It involved participants looking at a photo of their lover while their brain was being scanned. Results showed that participants had increased brain activity and dopamine neurons firing while looking at photos of their beloved.

Question 6

Hormones and behavior

Answer 6

Hormones are neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) that affect behavior through their long-term effects

Question 7

Study for hormones and behavior

Answer 7

McGaugh & CaHill: To study the role of emotion in the creation of memories. Involved 2 groups being told 2 separate stories; one mundane story and one emotional story. Results showed that participants who heard the emotional story could recall more details from the story and that amygdala plays a role in creating memories linked to emotions.

Question 8

Pheromones and behavior

Answer 8

Pheromones are chemicals released into the environment by an animal that affect the behavior of others

Question 9

Study for pheromones and behavior

Answer 9

Wedekind: To determine whether MHCs would affect mate choice. Involved women ranking T-shirts worn by men based on pleasantness. Results showed that women ranked the men with MHC dissimilar to them more pleasant (women can tell if partner has opposite DNA to them).

Question 10

Genes and behavior

Answer 10

Genes are information that determines your traits and are the framework that determine how you MAY act in an environment

Question 11

Genetic similarities

Answer 11

A measure of genetic relatedness among individuals.

Question 12

Study for genes and behavior + genetic similarities

Answer 12

Minnesota Twins: To test if the environment and genetics influence human characteristics (intelligence). Involved comparing 100 sets of twins specifically ones raised apart versus raised together. The results showed that 70% of intelligence is genetic inheritance and 30% is other factors.

Question 13

Evolution

Answer 13

Evolution is organisms changing from generation to generation as a result of a change in heritable characteristics

Question 14

Study for evolutionary explanations for behavior

Answer 14

Fessler: To find out if disgust helps compensate for a suppressed immune system in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Involved asking pregnant women to rank 32 disgusting scenarios. Results showed that women in 1st trimester had higher disgust sensitivity than 2nd/3rd trimester women.

Question 15

Study for localization of function

Answer 15

Milner/HM: To find out if removal of the hippocampus affected memory. Involved using IQ tests, observation, interviews, and MRI scans to study HM. Results showed that hippocampus is responsible for long-term memory, but not short term/procedural memory. Additionally, the hippocampus is responsible for converting short-term memories to long-term ones.