The Biological area Flashcards
2 principles of this area
Behaviour is explained by physiological processes within the brain and nervous system
So psychology should study these processes using various technology eg structural MRI to investigate the brain
2 concepts of this area
Brain plasticity
Lateralisation of function
Delayed gratification
Brain plasticity
The idea that the structure of the brain can adapt and change in response to the environment
Lateralisation of function
The idea that the brain consists of 2 hemispheres that each have a different function
Left brain controls language
Right brain controls emotion eg
Delay of gratification
Ability to resist temptation of a reward received immediately , to receive a more long lasting and better reward
What 2 themes fall under this area?
Structure of the brain
Neuroplasticity
What studies fall under theme of brain structure?
Sperry
Casey
What studies fall under the theme of neuroplasticity?
Blakemore and Cooper
Maguire
Why does Sperry fall under the biological area?
Because he found that participants could name an apple presented to left hemisphere (right visual field) but draw a key (with right hand) repented to right hemisphere (left visual field)
This behaviour was therefore affected by the physiological process of 2 hemispheres being unable to communicate due to cutting of the corpus callosum
Why does Sperry fall under the theme of studying brain structure?
Because lateralisation of function was investigated: how the left hemisphere of the cortex has different functions associated with language and right hemisphere for emotions and motor skills
Why does Casey fall under the biological area?
Because it was found ppl who were consistently low delayers had higher activity in ventral striatum (reward part brain) and less activity in inferior frontal gurus (resisting temptation) when presented with a hot cue in to no go task compared to low delayers. So, physiological processes drive behaviour of giving into temptation
Investigated using fMRI machines
Why does Casey fall under the theme of brain structure?
Found that different structures within the brain eg inferior frontal gyrus and ventral striatum have functions related to delaying gratification and rewards respectively, shown by high activity in these areas when participants are in fMRI completing go/no go task
Why does Blakemore and Cooper fall under the biological area?
Found that kittens visual neurones orientation changed to favour the shape of light stripes in a container they were put in from birth, and this had behavioural effects (unable to see contours in perpendicular)
So investigated how physiological process of neurones detecting stimuli at specific orientations can effect behaviour, of spatial navigation and visual placing
Why does Blakemore and Cooper fall under the theme of neuroplasticity?
Following insertion of electrodes into kittens visual cortex, it was found the orientation of neurones had changed in response to light stimuli: in the form of illuminated stripes in a specific orientation
Eg kittens raised in vertcical light container had vertical neurones, likewise for horizontal raised kitten
Why does Maguire fall under the biological area?
It was found that taxi drivers had significantly larger grey matter volume in their posterior hippocampus relative to non taxi drivers control group. Suggesting that physiological processes inside the brain can effect behaviour, in this case memorisation of London roads
Why does Maguire fall under the theme of neuroplasticity?
Because they found an association between hippocampus posterior grey matter volume increasing and time spent as a taxi driver, thus the structure of the Brian had changed in response to environmental work put on it of memorising London roads
Application of this area?
Understanding of physiological process of communication between neurones by neurotransmitter effects behaviour can be used by scientists to design drugs to treat mental illness for patients
Antipsychotics block reception of excess dopamine in synaptic cleft which reduces hallucinations in schizophrenic patients
Strengths of this area?
Uses scientific method of standardisation so the results are consistent with each other and can be repeated at a later date to find consistent findings
Uses controlled lab experiments which ensure validity, accurate and objective measurement
Uses scientific equipment such as MRI which ensures objective measurements so increases validity
Weaknesses of this area
Using scientific method to establish cause and effect is reductionist
Lack of ecological validity by using highly controlled lab experiments eg responses in MRI may not be reflective of how the brain works in real life
How has Casey changed our understanding on the theme of brain structure?
ADDS: Casey investigated the function of ventral striatum on rewards and inferior frontal gyrus on resisting temptation, but Sperry only investigated function of diff hemispheres
Casey used new methods of investigating function by using fMRI whereas Casey used a tachioscope
How has Casey not changed out understanding of the theme?
Does not find contradicting evidence against functions of hemispheres
Still found that specific parts/ structures within the brain have specific functions
To what extent has Casey changed our understanding of individual diversity?
To quite a lot: Casey investigated participants who had not undergone any form of brain surgery/ manipulation, whereas Sperry investigated those with a cut corpus callosum, so more abnormal
To what extent has Casey changed our understanding of brain function in terms of social diversity?
Casey found that even within those with normal brains have specific structures within the brain have specific functions
Not changed: found that the effect functions of Brian structure was constant across both genders as no difference was found in studying both genders
To what extent has Casey changed our understanding of brain function in terms of cultural diversity?
Both studied the brain functions of Americans, no investigation into any differences across culture
How has Maguire changed our understanding of neuroplasticity from B+C?
Has = shown neuroplasticity can occur in humans instead of just kittens
But has not changed our understanding of how the visual neurones specifically respond to a limited visual environment, as the structure of hippocampus was investigated instead
How has Maguire changed understanding of neuroplasticity in terms of individual diversity?
Use of MRI machines allows for testing of each individual brain structure
How has Maguire changed understanding of neuroplasticity in terms of cultural diversity?
By testing London taxi drivers in London we don’t know how neuroplasticity effects different cultures eg taxi drivers in New York that use different road structure
How has Maguire changed understanding of neuroplasticity in terms of social diversity?
Maguire did not change our understanding on effect of gender on neuroplasticity
