Bio : Neurotransmitters

Question 1

Researcher

Answer 1

Crockett et al

Question 2

Define neurotransmitters

Answer 2

they are the body’s natural chemical messengers that transmit information from one neuron to another.

Question 3

What’s serotonin

Answer 3

a neurotransmitter and inhibitor that plays a role in regulating happiness. it blocks the reabsorption of serotonin allowing it to stay in the synapse longer increasing serotonin levels.

Question 4

What’s citalopram / SSRI’s

Answer 4

Citalopram is known as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) It increases serotonin levels.

Question 5

describe

Answer 5

The experiment was a repeated measures design, with 2 conditions.
Condition 1: ppts given CITALOPRAM.
Condition 2: ppts given a placebo

Ppts given moral dilemmas based on the classic “trolley problem”, where there’s a runaway trolley moving along the tracks and you see its about to hit and kill five people, and you have a choice between interfering and doing nothing.
THERES TWO SUB-SCENARIOS
Scenario 1: interfering implied pulling a lever (IMPERSONAL)
Scenario 2: interfering implied pushing a man on the tracks (PERSONAL)

Question 6

Results/Conclude

Answer 6

Impersonal S1: responses unaffected
Personal S2: responses affected, less likely to push the man.

Citalopram reduces the acceptability of personal harm and promotes prosocial behavior, Increased levels of serotonin can make people more opposed to the idea of inflicting harm on others.