Biological approach studies

These cue cards include the aim, procedure, results, and conclusion of studies from the biological approach section. This includes the following: Corkin et al. (1997) Crockett (2010) Romach et al. (1999) Baumgartner et al. (2008) Thorne et al. (2002) Caspi et al. (2003) Bowes et al. 2013 Buss (1989)

what study talks about localization

Maguire et al. (2000)

What study talks about neuroplasticity

Draganski et al. 2004

what study talks about tools to study the brain

Draganski et al. 2004

what study talks about agonist neurotransmitters

Crockett (2010)

what study talks about Neurotransimmter (antagonist)

Antonova et al. (2011)

what study talks about hormones

Baumgartner et al. (2008)

what study talks about pheromones

Wedekind et al. (1995)

study to talk about Evolutionary Explanations

Wedekind et al. (1995)

study to talk about neural networks

Draganski et al. (2004)

study to talk about neurons

Crockett (2010)

study to talk about synaps

Antonova et al. (2011)

study to talk about Genetic Similarities

Kendler et al. (2006)

study to talk abotu gene and behaviours

Caspi et al (2003)

study that talks about neural pruning

Draganski et al. (2004)

Study for Twin & Kinship Studies

Kendler et al. (2006)

aim of Maguire et al. (2000)

To investigate whether changes could be detected in the brains of London taxi drivers and to further investigate the functions of the hippocampus in spatial memory

procedure of Maguire et al. (2000)

Natural experiment. The participants for this study were 16 healthy, right-handed male London taxi drivers. The taxi drivers' MRI brain scans were compared with the scans of 50 healthy right-handed males who did not drive taxis. The amount of years the drivers had been driving taxis for was also recorded.

result of Maguire et al. (2000)

The posterior regions (back parts) of the taxi drivers' hippocampi were significantly larger than those of control subjects and the anterior (front) hippocampal region was larger in control subjects than in taxi drivers. Also, hippocampal volume of the right hippocampus in each taxi driver correlated with the amount of time spent as a taxi driver - positively in the right posterior and negatively in the right anterior hippocampus. (So the back part of the right hippocampus grew larger and the front part shrank). The larger posterior hippocampi made the taxi drivers more proficient at spatial memory and navigation.

conclusion Maguire et al. (2000)

This study demonstrates the plasticity of the hippocampus in response to environmental demands, suggesting that the changes in hippocampal grey matter, at least on the right, are acquired. The environmental demands of being able to navigate a complex structure of streets led the taxi drivers to develop more pronounced posterior hippocampi than the control subjects.

ethical concer of Maguire et al. (2000)

Ethical Concern: Informed consent & psychological stress – MRI scans can cause discomfort or anxiety for some participants.

research method of Maguire et al. (2000)

Research Method: Quasi-experiment – Participants were already taxi drivers or non-drivers (naturally occurring groups)

aim of Draganski et al. 2004

To investigate whether learning a new skill (juggling) leads to structural changes in the brain.

procedure of Draganski et al. 2004

1. Participants: Two groups of volunteers (non-jugglers at the start).

2. MRI Scans: All participants had an MRI scan before the experiment.

3. Learning Phase: One group was asked to learn and practice juggling for three months, while the other group did not.

4. Second MRI Scan: After three months, both groups had another MRI scan.

5. No Practice Phase: The juggling group then stopped practicing for another three months.

6. Third MRI Scan: A final MRI scan was taken after this period.

results of Draganski et al. 2004

After three months of practice, jugglers showed increased gray matter in brain areas linked to movement and coordination (specifically the mid-temporal areas associated with visual memory).

- After three months of no practice, the increased gray matter shrunk but remained higher than before learning.

- The control group (who didn’t juggle) showed no brain changes.

conclusion of Draganski et al. 2004

Learning a new skill (juggling) physically changes the brain, showing neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize).

ethical consideration Draganski et al. 2004

Informed consent & potential stress – Participants underwent multiple MRI scans, which could cause discomfort.

research method of Draganski et al. 2004

Experimental (longitudinal study) – Compared brain changes in juggling and non-juggling groups over time

aim of Crockett (2010)

To understand the role of serotonin in moral judgment and behaviour.

procedure of Crockett (2010)

Repeated measures double-blind experiment with 24 participants who came to the laboratory on three separate occasions. On each occasion, participants were either given citalopram (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) to increase their serotonin levels, atomoxetine (a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) or a placebo. At each of the three sessions, participants engaged in 29 'moral judgment tasks' in which they read various hypothetical scenarios. Examples include: 'Is it morally acceptable to push someone onto a train track ensuring their death if doing so would save five other people from being hit by the same train?' and 'Is it morally acceptable to push a button that switches the track a runaway train is on if doing so will kill one person but save five?' In addition to answering moral hypotheticals, each of the three sessions required participants to engage in 24 rounds of the 'ultimatum game'. The ultimatum game is an economic game used very frequently in psychological research. It requires participants to serve as either the 'proposer' or the 'responder'.

results of Crockett (2010)

Enhancing serotonin made subjects more likely to judge harmful actions as forbidden on the moral scenario questions. This harm-avoidant bias after citalopram was also evident in behaviour during the ultimatum game, in which subjects decide to accept or reject fair or unfair monetary offers from another player. Enhancing serotonin made subjects less likely to reject unfair offers.

conslusion of Crockett (2010)

Together, these findings provide unique evidence that serotonin could promote prosocial behaviour by enhancing harm aversion, a prosocial sentiment that directly affects both moral judgment and moral behaviour.

ethical consideration of Crockett (2010)

Potential harm & deception – Participants were given citalopram (a serotonin-boosting drug) without knowing its full effects, which could cause side effects like nausea.

reseach methods of Crockett (2010)

Laboratory experiment – Used a double-blind, repeated-measures design to test how serotonin affects moral decision-making.

aim of Antonova et al. (2011)

To investigate the role of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) in spatial memory using an agonist (scopolamine) to block acetylcholine receptors.

procedure of Antonova et al. (2011)

• Participants: 20 healthy male adults.

• Participants were randomly assigned to receive either scopolamine (blocks acetylcholine) or a placebo via injection.

• They were placed in an fMRI scanner and asked to navigate a virtual reality "Arena task", a spatial memory test.

• After learning the task, they were tested again to find a hidden pole using memory.

• A few weeks later, they repeated the experiment but received the opposite treatment (counterbalanced design).

results of Antonova et al. (2011)

• The scopolamine group performed worse in spatial memory tasks.

• fMRI scans showed reduced activity in the hippocampus when acetylcholine was blocked.

• This suggests acetylcholine plays a key role in spatial memory and hippocampal activation.

conclusioin of Antonova et al. (2011)

• Acetylcholine is crucial for spatial memory formation as it affects hippocampal function.

• Blocking acetylcholine reduces memory performance, supporting its role in learning and navigation.

ethical consideration of Antonova et al. (2011)

Potential harm from scopolamine – It can cause dizziness, nausea, or discomfort, raising concerns about participant well-being.

research method of Antonova et al. (2011)

Laboratory experiment – Used a double-blind, repeated-measures design with fMRI scans to measure brain activity.

aim of Kendler et al. (2006)

To investigate the heritability of depression by studying genetic influences in twins.

procedure of Kendler et al. (2006)

1. Participants: Over 42,000 Swedish twins from the Swedish Twin Registry.

2. Conducted telephone interviews to assess lifetime major depression based on DSM-IV criteria.

3. Compared concordance rates of depression in monozygotic (identical) twins vs. dizygotic (fraternal) twins.

results of Kendler et al. (2006)

• Heritability of depression was ~38%, meaning genetic factors play a significant role.

• Higher concordance in monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins.

• Heritability was higher in women than in men, suggesting sex differences in genetic influence.

conclusion of Kendler et al. (2006)

• Genetics play a moderate role in depression, but environmental factors are also important.

• Women may have a greater genetic vulnerability to depression than men.

ethical consideration of Kendler et al. (2006)

Confidentiality & psychological harm – Discussing past depression could be distressing, and sensitive data must be kept private.

research method of Kendler et al. (2006)

Correlational twin study – Compared genetic influences using twin concordance rates.

aim of Wedekind et al. (1995)

To investigate whether MHC (major histocompatibility complex) genes influence mate selection through scent preference.

procedure of Wedekind et al. (1995)

• Participants: 49 women & 44 men, all university students.

• Men wore a plain cotton T-shirt for two nights, avoiding deodorants, scented soaps, and spicy food.

• Afterward, the T-shirts were placed in boxes.

• Women, during their ovulation phase, smelled and rated six T-shirts:

  • Three from men with dissimilar MHC genes.

  • Three from men with similar MHC genes.

• They rated the shirts based on pleasantness & attractiveness of smell.

results of Wedekind et al. (1995)

• Women preferred the scent of men with dissimilar MHC genes, suggesting a biological mechanism for genetic diversity in offspring.

• The preference was reversed for women on hormonal contraceptives, indicating birth control might influence mate selection.

conclusion of Wedekind et al. (1995)

• MHC genes influence mate preference via scent, supporting evolutionary theories of attraction.

• Humans may unconsciously prefer genetically compatible partners for reproductive advantage.

ethical consideration of Wedekind et al. (1995)

Informed consent & debriefing – Participants should be fully aware of the study’s purpose, especially as it involves personal scent preferences

research method of Wedekind et al. (1995)

Laboratory experiment – Controlled conditions were used to test scent preferences systematically.

aim of Kendler et al. (2006)

To investigate the heritability of depression by comparing rates in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins.

pricedure of Kendler et al. (2006)

• Participants: Over 42,000 twins from the Swedish Twin Registry.

• Conducted structured telephone interviews to diagnose major depression based on DSM-IV criteria.

• Compared concordance rates (how often both twins had depression) in MZ vs. DZ twins.

results of Kendler et al. (2006)

• Heritability of depression was ~38%, indicating a moderate genetic influence.

• MZ twins had higher concordance rates for depression than DZ twins.

• Women showed a higher genetic risk for depression than men.

conclusion of Kendler et al. (2006)

• Genetics play a significant but not exclusive role in depression—environmental factors also matter.

• Women may have greater genetic susceptibility to depression.

ethical consideration of Kendler et al. (2006)

Psychological harm – Discussing past depressive episodes may cause emotional distress for participants.

research method of Kendler et al. (2006)

Correlational twin study – Investigated genetic influence through twin concordance rates.

aim of caspi et al (2003)

To investigate the role of the 5-HTT gene in depression, particularly whether genetic differences influence vulnerability to stress-induced depression.

procedure of caspi et al (2003)

• Longitudinal study of 847 New Zealand participants from birth to age 26.

• Participants were genetically tested for the short or long version of the 5-HTT gene (linked to serotonin regulation).

• They were assessed for life stressors between ages 21-26 (e.g., job loss, relationship issues).

• Depression symptoms were measured using structured interviews and compared across different genetic groups.

results of caspi et al (2003)

• Participants with the short version of 5-HTT were more likely to develop depression after stressful life events.

• Those with the long version were less vulnerable to stress-related depression.

• Simply having the short allele didn’t cause depression, but stress in combination with genetics increased risk.

conclusion of caspi et al (2003)

• Gene-environment interaction affects depression risk.

• Having the short 5-HTT allele increases vulnerability but does not directly cause depression.

• Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to cognitive decline.

ethical consideration of caspi et al (2003)

Psychological harm & genetic determinism – Learning about genetic risk could cause anxiety or distress for participants.

research method of caspi et al (2003)

• Longitudinal genetic study

aim of Baumgartner et al. (2008)

To investigate the role of oxytocin in trust and trust-related behaviors after betrayal.

procedure of Baumgartner et al. (2008)

• Participants: 49 individuals.

• Double-blind design – Participants received either oxytocin (via nasal spray) or a placebo.

• Played a trust game where they could invest money in a trustee (who could betray them).

• fMRI scans recorded brain activity while participants played.

• Some participants were told they had been betrayed to measure their trust levels afterward.

results of Baumgartner et al. (2008)

• Placebo group: Reduced trust after betrayal, investing less.

• Oxytocin group: Continued trusting even after betrayal.

• fMRI scans: Oxytocin reduced activity in the amygdala (fear processing) and caudate nucleus (learning from betrayal).

conclusion of Baumgartner et al. (2008)

• Oxytocin increases trust, even after betrayal.

• It suppresses fear-related responses in the brain, making individuals more willing to trust again.

ethical consideration of Baumgartner et al. (2008)

Potential psychological harm – Betrayal in the game could cause distress, affecting participants’ emotions.

research method of Baumgartner et al. (2008)

Laboratory experiment – Used a double-blind, placebo-controlled design with fMRI scans.