Biological Approach SAQs

One technique used to understand the brain and behaviour

MRI, localisation of the brain; HM

One example of the localisation of brain function

Hippocampus; HM - consolidation of short-term memory to long-term in the hippocampus

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity; Draganski (2004) - juggler’s brains getting bigger when practicing and smaller when not practicing

Formation of neural networks

Draganski (2004) - juggler brains getting bigger when learning new skill

Synaptic pruning

Draganski (2004) - juggler brains getting smaller when not practicing anymore

Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine; Antonova et al. (2010) - scopolamine vs placebo in VR arena task

Excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitter

Acetylcholine; Antonova et al. (2010) - scopolamine vs placebo in VR arena task

Agonist or antagonist neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine, scopolamine; Antonova et al. (2010) - scopolamine vs placebo in VR arena task

Hormone

Cortisol; Newcomer et al. (1999) - cortisol in verbal declarative memory

Pheromone

Major Histocompatibility Complex; Wedekind (1995) - stinky shirts for women to smell and see if they likey likey

Genetics in one behaviour

5-HTT in Major Depressive Disorder, diathesis-stress model; Caspi (2003) - 5-HTT genes in New Zealand correlations with Depression

Research method used in the study of the brain and behaviour

True experiment; Antonova et al. (2011) - VR to see acetylcholine vs scopolamine on spatial memory

Research method used in the study of hormones

True experiment; Newcomer et al. (1999) - cortisol in verbal declarative memory

Research method used in the study of genetics

Twin study; Kendler et al. (2006) - Swedish twins MZ and DZ, concordance rate for Depression

Ethics in the study of the brain and behaviour

Informed consent; HM - couldn’t remember, couldn’t really consent

Ethics in the study of hormones

Stress/harm; Newcomer et al. (1999) - purposeful increase of cortisol, potential long-term effects

Ethics in the study of genetics

Anonymity; Caspi et al. (2003) - important in case it affects life opportunities and perception of the individual