Chapter 8 - HL Pyschology Extentions 8.a-g

What are the main topics covered in Chapter 8 of the IB Psychology HL Extensions?

Animal Studies and Behaviour, Globalization and Behaviour, Technology and Cognition.

What is the primary value of using animal studies in psychological research?

They provide valuable insights into the relationships between biological variables and human behaviour.

What is emotional blunting as observed in early animal research?

A condition where subjects display reduced signs of emotion.

What is the main ethical consideration in using animal models for research?

Ensuring the welfare and minimizing suffering of the animals.

How do gene expression and epigenetics relate to environmental influences?

Environmental factors can influence gene expression, potentially affecting behaviour.

What does the term 'amygdala' refer to in the context of brain function?

A brain structure involved in processing emotions such as fear.

What is the significance of the TPH-2 gene in relation to serotonin?

It plays a role in the synthesis of serotonin, and its dysfunction is linked to aggression.

What does selective breeding in animal studies aim to demonstrate?

It aims to study genetic influences on behaviour by breeding animals with specific traits.

How does cortisol influence the expression of the TPH-2 gene?

Cortisol activates the gene, and reduced cortisol levels can lead to decreased expression.

What is the resident-intruder paradigm used for in aggression research?

To measure aggression levels by observing attack latency in mice.

What are knockout mice?

Genetically modified mice that have had specific genes deleted to study their effects on behaviour.

What is the connection between early life stress and adult behaviour?

Early stress can alter gene expression in response to stress later in life, affecting behaviour.

What role does neuroplasticity play in stress responses?

Neuroplasticity allows brain networks to adapt, which can influence how stress is experienced in adulthood.

What is the impact of genetic and environmental interactions in behaviour?

They show how both elements contribute to complex behaviour patterns and psychological outcomes.

Why is animal research important for understanding human behaviour?

Because animals can be used to model biological and genetic processes that influence human behaviour.

What is one limitation of animal studies mentioned in the chapter?

Results from animal studies may not fully generalize to humans due to differences in cognitive processing.

What is the role of technology in studying relationships between behaviour and cognition?

Technology, such as fMRI, helps investigate how brain function correlates with behaviours like aggression.

Why can experiments be conducted more ethically in animals than in humans?

Certain experimental manipulations that are unethical in humans can be ethically performed in controlled animal studies.

What does the term 'ablation' refer to in neurological studies?

The process of removing or damaging a part of the brain to study the effects on behaviour.

How were early studies on Aplysia valuable for understanding human memory?

They demonstrated how learning changes neuronal connections, providing insight into memory processes in humans.

What did research by Gardner et al. (2009) reveal about stress and gene expression?

Prolonged stress in early life can significantly diminish TPH-2 gene expression in adulthood.

What are the primary psychological effects linked to low serotonin levels?

Increased aggression and potential links to disorders such as depression.