Biological approach studies

Milner

(1966)

Case study

Resarch method: Experiment Showed: Localization of function Aim: Effect of large hippocampus removal

Procedure: IQ tests (above average)

MRI

Interviews

Observing

Memory recall tests

Learning tasks Results:

Yes-Cognitive map (spatial memory)

Yes-Working memory (conversation) (forgot the convo afterward)

Yes-Remember a number for a long time (only if he repeated it in his head)

No-Episodic knowledge

No-Semantic knowledge

Yes-Memories of his past

No-Make new memories (anterograde amnesia). Evaluation: Couldn't form new information since the hippocampus turns short-term memories into long-term ones. However, he kept his past memories since those are stored elsewhere. This shows that the hippocampus was specifically in charge of transferring memories since that ability was lost when his hippocampus was damaged. Ethical considerations: They got his, and his family's consent, and HM's identity wasn't revealed until he died.

Maguire

(2000)

Research method: Quasi-experiment. Single-blind (researcher didn't know if she was looking at a driver's MRI or a control's) Showed: Neuroplasticity, localization of function Aim: Effect of learning all New York paths on Taxi drivers' hippocampi and grey matter (hippocampus allows spatial memory, navigation, and turns short term memories into long term in animals, wanted to see if humans too) 16 right-handed, male, taxi drivers & 50 control right-handed men (different ages) Procedure: MRI (VBM and pixel counting of grey matter) Evaluation: Drivers had more. Positive correlation between years of driving and amount of grey matter. Likely causation based on other studies as well. Ethical considerations: Participants consented, identities confidential.

Ronay and Von Hippel

(2010)

Research method: Field experiment Showed: Sexual selection Aim: How does the presence of an attractive woman affect the number of risks men will take? 96 Y/A Australian male skateboarders (found at the park)

2-6pm

A trick they fail 50% of time

3 outcomes to the trick: Successful, failed attempt (considered a risk), aborted attempt Procedure:

They were told their tricks were being measured or something (so as not to affect the results) Half of them tried their tricks in front of an attractive female researcher (20 men determined her as attractive) and the other half in front of a man. Female also interviewed their skateboarding experiences individually to make them look at her closer and "be more attracted" Results:

More failed attempts in front of the woman, more aborted attempts in front of the man. Evaluation:

They took more risks in front of the woman and their testosterone levels were also higher. They might have just done the tricks to impress her since she's attractive and not due to their primal instincts of wanting to win her over in order to reproduce with her (sexual selection) so although it's the right outcome, it's still a correlation, not causation. Also they might have been tired in front of the man. Ethical considerations: No consent from skaters (could be embarrassed), deceived, identities shown since they were filmed without consent, encouraged to perform difficult (possibly harmful) trick.

Dabbs and Frady

(1987)

Research method: Correlational study Showed: Hormones Aim: Study role of aggression in inmates

89 male inmates, same jail Procedure: Took saliva and measured testosterone levels Results: Higher in violent crimes and even the petty crimes were higher with testosterone. Evaluation: Supports theory that testosterone causes aggression but this is merely a correlation. Ethical considerations: They consented and their identities were confidential so there are none.

Troster and Beatty

(1989)

Research method: Experiment, reductionist Showed: Neurotransmission Aim: Impact of acetylcholine e on both the formation and retrieval of memories 13 men, varying ages. Procedure: Injected with scopolamine (blocks receptors and prevents acetylcholine, which helps retrieve and form new memories, from binding). They then did free recall tests, and cognitive mapping tests. Results: Scopolamine inhibited encoding of new memories, didn't affect recall of long-term memories (found through memory recall tests). Evaluation: Acetylcholine plays a role in encoding semantic and spatial memories. Ethical considerations: Drug could be harmful (but they were briefed on side effects). One of the participants became delirious after taking the scopolamine (incoherent speech, hallucinations, inability to focus) his data not used.

Wedekind

(1995)

Research method: Correlational study Showed: Pheremones, sexual selection Aim: If the difference in men's MHC (perceived through Androstadienone from their sweat, detected by womens' vomeronasal organ) affected womens' attraction to them and why 44 men and 44 women

Checked if women were on a contraceptive pill or not cos that gives opposite results (they don't know why) Procedure: They wore same shirt 2 nights, no other smells allowed and woman smelled and rated 1-10. Results: Women (off the pill) far preferred men with a dissimilar MHC since it'd make their children more immune. Evaluation: The theory is that the MHC was somehow gathered from the androstadienone in the men's sweat (especially from their armpits), making women more attracted for survival reasons. Ethical considerations: No concerns. No deception, they were briefed, they had consent, confidential, no mental or physical harm.

Bouchard

(1990)

Research method: Correlational study Showed: Genetic influence Aim: Effect of genetic influence, shared environment, and unique environments on twins' traits. Procedure: Monozygotic twins that were raised in the same household (MZT) and apart (MZA) took political opinions tests and IQ tests. Results: All of their opinions and preferences, whether raised apart or together seemed quite similar to their twins' except IQ which had slightly more of a difference (more inheritable and affected by environment). Evaluation: Concordance rates were high and it was established that genetic influence plays a huge role and the environment, a little. Ethical considerations: Separating twins and reuniting them can be emotionally scarring (however they were just excited). Consent, confidentiality. Weird on an informed basis front) Harder for them to say no to a study when they've found out they have a long lost twin though (pulled twin out from adoption papers so even they didn't know).