Biological Approach

What is fMRI and how is it used in brain-behavior research?

fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a non-invasive brain imaging technique that measures blood flow to detect brain activity. When a brain region is more active, it receives more oxygen, allowing researchers to link specific brain areas to behaviors.

What study supports the use of fMRI in brain-behavior research?

Baumgartner et al. — used fMRI to investigate how oxytocin affects trust during a social interaction task.

How does Baumgartner et al.’s study support the use of fMRI?

fMRI showed that participants who received oxytocin had reduced activity in the amygdala and caudate nucleus after betrayal, highlighting how fMRI reveals brain areas involved in trust.

What is localization of function?

The theory that specific brain areas are responsible for specific behaviors, such as the hippocampus being linked to memory.

What study supports localization of function?

Antonova — examined the hippocampus’s role in spatial memory using fMRI and the effect of acetylcholine.

How does Antonova’s study support localization of function?

Blocking acetylcholine reduced hippocampal activity and impaired spatial memory, showing that this brain area is crucial for that function.

What is neuroplasticity?

The brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to learning, experience, or injury by forming or pruning neural networks.

What study supports neuroplasticity?

Draganski — showed that learning to juggle increased grey matter in areas linked to visual and motor skills, which decreased after stopping practice.

What is the formation of neural networks?

The process where repeated behavior strengthens connections between neurons, forming efficient pathways that support learning and memory.

What study shows the formation of neural networks?

Draganski — juggling practice led to increased grey matter, showing how new skills form networks in the brain.

What is neural pruning?

The elimination of unused or weak neural connections to improve the brain’s efficiency.

What study demonstrates neural pruning?

Draganski — grey matter decreased after participants stopped juggling, showing that unused connections were pruned.

What is a neurotransmitter?

A chemical messenger that transmits signals between neurons, influencing behavior, mood, and cognition.

What study shows the effect of a neurotransmitter on behavior?

Antonova — acetylcholine was blocked using scopolamine, leading to impaired spatial memory and reduced hippocampal activity.

What is an antagonist in neuroscience?

A chemical that blocks a neurotransmitter by binding to its receptor without activating it.

What study demonstrates the role of an antagonist?

Antonova — scopolamine blocked acetylcholine receptors, showing how antagonists impair memory by reducing neural activity.

What is an agonist in neuroscience?

A substance that activates a receptor, mimicking the effect of a neurotransmitter.

What study demonstrates the role of an agonist?

Freed et al. — dopamine agonist (transplanted dopamine-producing neurons) improved motor function in Parkinson’s patients.

What is an excitatory synapse?

A synapse where neurotransmitters increase the likelihood of the next neuron firing.

What study supports the role of excitatory synapses?

Antonova — acetylcholine, an excitatory neurotransmitter, was blocked, impairing spatial memory.

What is a hormone and how does it affect behavior?

Hormones are chemicals released by glands that affect physiology and behavior, like oxytocin influencing trust and bonding.

What study demonstrates the effect of a hormone on behavior?

Baumgartner et al. — oxytocin increased trust even after betrayal and reduced amygdala activity.

What is a pheromone?

A chemical signal released by one individual that can influence the behavior or physiology of others of the same species.

What study supports the role of pheromones in human behavior?

Zhou et al. — AND, found in male sweat, influenced gender perception in heterosexual women and gay men.

What research method was used in Antonova’s study?

Controlled experiment — manipulated acetylcholine levels using scopolamine and measured spatial memory performance.

What ethical consideration is important in brain studies like Antonova?

Informed consent — participants were exposed to scopolamine, so they had to be informed of potential risks and side effects.

What method was used in Baumgartner et al.’s hormone study?

Controlled experiment — used oxytocin/placebo spray and measured trust responses via fMRI.

What ethical concern is present in Baumgartner et al.’s study?

Deception — participants were misled about the partner’s betrayal to maintain experimental validity, requiring debriefing.

What is the role of genes in behavior?

Genes influence traits and behaviors by directing protein production, though most behaviors result from both genes and environment.

What study supports the role of genes in behavior?

Bailey & Pillard — monozygotic twins had higher concordance for homosexuality than dizygotic twins or adoptive brothers.

How does genetic similarity help psychologists study behavior?

It allows researchers to compare behaviors in individuals with shared genes (like twins) to assess genetic influence.

What method was used in Bailey & Pillard’s study?

Correlational twin study — compared concordance rates of homosexuality across MZ twins, DZ twins, and adoptive brothers.

What is the use of kinship studies in behavior genetics?

They compare individuals of varying genetic relatedness (e.g., MZ vs. DZ twins) to determine the heritability of behaviors.

What study is an example of a kinship study?

Bailey & Pillard — used MZ and DZ twins to explore the genetic basis of sexual orientation.

What is an evolutionary explanation of behavior?

A theory that behaviors evolved because they were adaptive for survival or reproduction, like attraction aiding mate selection.

What study supports evolutionary explanations of behavior?

Zhou et al. — AND influenced sexual attraction based on orientation, suggesting an evolved mechanism for mate detection.

What is an ethical concern in Bailey & Pillard’s study?

Confidentiality — the study involved sensitive information (sexual orientation), so protecting participant identity was essential.