LECTURE 5 BIOLOGY PT1

PSY1101H Winter 2025 Lecture 5 Biology and Neuroscience

General Announcements

• Sign up for research participation via course syllabus.

• Reminder about Midterm Test 1:

  • Date: February 4th

  • Chapters: 2 & 3

  • Thank you to note-takers!

Midterm Test 1 Details

• When: February 4th

• Location: Regular classroom

• Time: 4:10 – 5:10 PM

• Arrive by 4:00 PM for seating (10 min required)

• Instructions on materials (no calculator needed) via announcements on BrightSpace.

• Test format includes:

  • Multiple Choice (approx. 35 questions)

  • True/False or Matching (approx. 5 questions)

• Content includes:

  • Chapter 2 and Chapter 3

  • Lecture materials and any mentioned videos or texts.

Recap from Last Class

• Overview of experiments in psychology: definition and applications.

• Statistics introduction including:

  • Measures of central tendency

  • Probability

  • Normal distribution

  • Standard deviation and variance.

• Discussed ethics in research methods and the importance of ethical guidelines.

Today's Objectives

• Conclude discussion on Methods and Research Ethics.

• Describe Neurons:

  • Structure and function

  • Action potential

  • Neurotransmitter release.

Research Methods Comparison

• Descriptive Research

  • Purpose: Observe and record behavior.

  • Conducted via case studies, naturalistic observations, surveys.

  • Weakness: Lacks control of variables; single cases may mislead.

• Correlational Research

  • Purpose: Identify relationships; predict outcomes.

  • Conducted by collecting data on two/more variables without manipulation.

  • Weakness: Cannot establish cause and effect.

• Experimental Research

  • Purpose: Explore cause and effect.

  • Involves manipulating one or more factors; uses random assignment.

  • Weakness: May not generalize results or be ethical to manipulate variables.

Importance of Ethical Understanding in Research

• Accurate statistical understanding is crucial to avoid misinterpretations and misleading claims.

• Calls for better teaching and transparency in statistical presentation.

Calculating Variance and Standard Deviation

• Steps for calculation:

  1. Calculate the mean of each dataset.

  2. Subtract the mean from each score.

  3. Square deviation scores.

  4. Sum squared deviations.

  5. Divide by n (number of entries) for variance.

  6. Square root variance to find standard deviation.

Example Dataset Calculation

• Group A Scores: 10, 40, 30, 15, 30

• Mean: 25, Variance: 120, SD: 10.95

• Group B Scores: 10, 20, 15, 25, 30

• Mean: 20, Variance: 50, SD: 7.07

Research Ethics Overview

• Importance of ethical standards in research with human and animal subjects.

• Highlighted Tuskagee Syphilis Study as a critical case for ethics awareness.

Five Main Principles of Ethics

1. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence: Balance between doing good and avoiding harm.

2. Fidelity and Responsibility: Establish trusting relationships; informed consent.

3. Integrity: Honesty in reporting results without data manipulation.

4. Justice: Fair distribution of benefits and protections for all participants.

5. Respect for People’s Rights: Protecting rights and dignity; ensuring privacy and consent.

Ethical Guidelines and Vulnerable Populations

• Research must prioritize the welfare of vulnerable groups (children, prisoners).

• Special precautions must be observed when conducting research involving these populations.

Research Values and Their Impact

• Research motivations shape the scope and interpretation of findings.

• Challenge of conducting ethical research while addressing human issues.

New Topic: Neurons, Brain, and Their Role in Psychology

• Introduction to physiology and biology of neurons and their contribution to behavior.

• Key terms and structures important in understanding neuronal function:

  • Neurons, glial cells, neurotransmitters, axons, dendrites.

Neuronal Structure and Function

• Neurons communicate through neurotransmitters that change electrical activity in other neurons.

• Neuron structure includes:

  • Dendrites: Receive signals

  • Soma (cell body): Integrates signals

  • Axon: Sends signals to the next neuron.

• The synaptic gap facilitates communication between neurons by allowing neurotransmitter release from presynaptic to postsynaptic neurons.

Glial Cells in the Nervous System

• Outnumber neurons, providing support, insulation (myelin), waste removal, and nutrients.

• Important types include astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Next Steps

• Continue reading Chapter 3 and review the brain function summary on BrightSpace.