biological psychology Flashcards

Question

Hippocampus

Answer 1

supports memory, learning, navigation and perception of space

Answer 2

1. receptor 2.sensory neuron 3.relay neuron 4. motor neuron 5.effector

Answer 3

cell body is in the middle sticking out

Answer 4

cell body in the middle

Answer 5

Cell body on the end

Answer 6

a white layer of insulating fat around the axon

Answer 7

they form the myelin sheath

Answer 8

gaps in the myelin sheath

Answer 9

the propagation of action potentials along myelinated axons from 1 node of ranvier to the next, increasing speed of transmission

Answer 10

Acetylcholine (stimulates muscle contraction) Noradrenaline (increases alertness levels) Glutamate (regulates CBS excitability)

Answer 11

Serotonin (regulates mood + body temp) GABA (reduces neuronal excitability in the Nervous system)

Answer 12

INCREASES the activity of the post-synaptic membrane by DEPOLARISATION due to influx of NA+ ions, causing an action potential to be fired. EPSP (excitatory post synaptic potential)

Answer 13

DECREASES activity of post-synaptic membrane by HYPERPOLARISATION due to influx of CL- ions, causing no action potential to be fired IPSP (inhibitory post synaptic potential)

Answer 14

1. ACTION POTENTIAL arrives at the presynaptic neurone 2. Calcium channels open, influx of CALCIUM IONS into the presynaptic neurone 3. Causes VESICLES carrying neurotransmitters to MOVE to the presynaptic membrane + FUSE w the cell membrane (exocytosis of NEUROTRANSMITTER into synaptic cleft) 4. neurotransmitter DIFFUSES across synaptic cleft and BINDS to receptors on post synaptic membrane 5. LIGAND-GATED CHANNELS on post synaptic membrane CAUSE DEPOLARISATION 6. INFLUX of NA+ ions at post synaptic membrane cause DEPOLARISATION 7. ACTION POTENTIAL in post synaptic membrane is stimulated 8. neurotransmitter is BROKEN DOWN and REUPTAKE back into synaptic vesicles occur via receptors in the presynaptic membrane

Answer 15

taken without medical justification for their psychoactive effects, in belief that their occasional use is NOT habit-forming or addictive can be legal or illegal

Answer 16

change perception, mood, consciousness, cognition and behaviour

Answer 17

the structures and neurones in the brain associated with the neurotransmitter dopamine causing feelings of reward

Answer 18

Euphoria = high, intense, pleasurable feeling Dysphoria = discomfort, intense anxiety, dissatisfaction

Answer 19

a higher conc/ dosage of the drug is required to cause the same feeling due to a loss of response at the synaptic level

Answer 20

the positive responses of the reward system in the brain causes an individual to be reliant on the drug for normal functioning

Answer 21

-psychoactive component of tobacco -STIMULANT recreational drug -acts as an agonist (stimulator) of acetylcholine receptors -binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors causing DEPOLARISATION initiating an action potential -rewarding and addictive abilities linked to INCREASED DOPAMINE release in the NUCleUS ACCUMBENS reward pathway in the brain

Answer 22

-strong recreational stimulant drug - increase in energy, alertness, EUPHORIA, increased HR - cocaine BLOCKS (antagonist) reuptake protein pumps which normally remove the monoamine neurotransmitters from the synapse -this causes an INCREASE in monoamine neurotransmitters like DOP and SER in the synapse causing CONTINUAL DEPOLARISATIONS and stimulating action potentials

Answer 23

-drinking alcohol can temporarily boost serotonin levels, therefore making people feel happier, but in the long term alcohol can INCREASE the INHIBITORY ACTION OF GABA causing neurotransmission to SLOW DOWN GABA= inhibitory neurotransmitter reducing action potentials by causing HYPERPOLARISATION in the post synaptic membrane with the INFLUX of CL- ions therefore DECREASING action potentials and neurotransmission + slowing down reactions

Answer 24

Cannabinoid receptors blocks the post-synaptic receptors meaning there is a REDUCTION OF ACTIVITY. there are many cannabinoid receptors in the hippocampus (memory making) which is why cannabis can affect memory

Answer 25

OLDS AND MILNER discovered that there is a pleasure centre 'Brain Stimulation Reward' associated with the LIMBIC system in Mice -they kept pressing lever to get reward symptoms STAIKER ET AL used cultural hippocampal neurones from mice with human CB1 receptors to study the effects of cannabis LAB BASED scientific procedures have a standardised procedure and controls which increase the reliability of data OBSERVATIONS of drug users demonstrate at first a feeling of great pleasure followed bu addictive behaviours -supports the CREDIBILITY of recreational drugs being associated with the reward pathway to create a feeling of pleasure, and desensitisation to the drugs can cause tolerance and addiction

Answer 26

LAB EXPS- artificial environment therefore LOW ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY therefore it is difficult to generalise findings to real life context of human drug addicts ANIMAL RESEARCh is hard to generalise to humans due to diffs in brain anatomy -humans have a more sophisticated brain structure DIFFICULT TO STUDY MODE OF ACTION of recreational drugs at the synapse -brain scanning techniques cannot determine the exact levels of synaptic transmission in the complex workings of the human brain

Answer 27

multiple x-ray beams are passed at different angles rotating around the head to create detailed, cross sectional image of the brain produced by a computer Use X-ray to view soft tissue, not just bones

Answer 28

identify brain structures for lesions, brain damage + tumours -inform neurosurgeons of location and layouts of your brain structure before attempting to access the skull -NON-INVASIVE -LESS HARMFUL THAN PET -can be used to monitor progression of neurodegenerative disease

Answer 29

-unethical because of excessive X-ray exposure -does not provide information on how the brain functions -patients must remain still (or images will be blurry)

Answer 30

involves exposure to radiowaves and a magnetic field -monitors the uptake of oxygen by cells in different brain regions -active area of the brain consume Oxygen and these regions have enhanced blood flow DIAMAGNETIC- Oxyhaemoglobin repels magnetic field PARAMAGNETIC- Deoxyhaemoglobin attracts the direction of the magnetic field this results in a lighting up of active brain regions on fMRI images when ppts do cognitive tasks

Answer 31

-safer than CT as no X-rays -non invasive -brain tissue and anatomical structure can be identified

Answer 32

-not suitable for ppts with a cardiac pacemaker/metal implant -does NOT provide info on how the receptors are functioning -not good for ppl who are claustrophobic = demand characteristics which will mess up the scan and Oxygen uptake

Answer 33

-nuclear medicine involving INJECTION of a RADIOACTIVE TRACER FDG flurodeoxyglucose travels in the bloodstream to active regions of the brain as glucose is used up in respiration by neurone cells as glucose is used up, the radioactive tracer breaks down emitting positrons which radiate gamma rays -----gamma rays are detected by the scanner and active regions of the brain are identified

Answer 34

-brain activity can be investigated when the ppt is conducting a cognitive task including synaptic neurotransmitters and receptors -safer than CT as no exposure to X-ray -abnormal brain function can be visualised by scientists

Answer 35

-can cause cell mutations due to being injected with radioactive substances -VERY EXPENSIVE

Answer 36

-Androgen hormone can influence areas of the brain development in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hypothalamus associated with aggression -men produce 20x more testosterone hormone than females ... explains increased aggression -females have increased levels of oestrogen, which is associated with lower aggression levels

Answer 37

WAGNER ET AL castrated male mice, they showed decreased aggression -testosterone replacement therapy restored aggressive acts BUT research on mice is NOT GENERALISABLE WILLE AND BEIR examined data on sex offenders in Germany -after prison, 3% castrated sex offenders re offendeed -46% non-castrated sex offenders reoffended BUT 54% 0f the non-castrated did NOT reoffend despite producing testoserone (other factors)

Answer 38

-Secreted during the fight or flight stress response to stressful/threatening situations -The Fearlessness Theory: stress, caused by cortisol inhibits aggression through fear So, individuals with LOWER CORTISOL are MORE LIKELY to take RISKS and act impulsively

Answer 39

VAN GOOZEN ET AL low levels of stress hormone CORTISOL in the saliva showed aggression in boys

Answer 40

LIDBERG correlational not causational -not certain which hormone is responsible for human aggression

Answer 41

secreted during the fight or flight response -increased adrenal output raises physical strength (HR +BR) and endurance, linked to rage and anger -an increase of adrenaline in the bloodstream can cause skeletal muscles to contract contributing to violent attacks

Answer 42

IASO TREATMENT for children with Autism and Bipolar who suffer from episodes of rage and outbursts. IASO blocks excess adrenaline, calming them and reducing rage

Answer 43

IASO = informal label no empirical trials have been completed to support reduces scientific credibility

Answer 44

a gene that codes for the MAO-A protein -this gene is carried on the X chromosome on position 11.3 woman carry 0,1,2 copies of the gene (XX) men carry 0 or 1 copy (XY) MAOA protein usually BREAKS DOWN EXCESS NEUROTRANSMITTERS (dop + ser) a mutation of the gene causes the enzyme to malfunction, causing excess neurotransmitters to remain in the synapse resulting in continued synaptic neurotransmission ---> aggressive human behaviours like OUTBURTS + RAGE

Answer 45

lack of breakdown of neurotransmitters so increased synaptic neurotransmission therefore aggressive behaviours

Answer 46

continual breakdown of neurotransmitters so decreased synaptic transmission therefore anxiety disorders

Answer 47

hypothesis humans have evolved adaptations to rape to obtain otherwise inaccessible partners, arguing the behaviour of RAPE has evolved over millenia of human history, along with courtship, sexual attraction and other factors relating to the offspring production

Answer 48

Low functioning MAOA-L = increased aggression -Saliva samples were collected from 277 male and female ppts. -The presence of MAOA-L allele causes the lack of breakdown of neurotransmitters. This increase in serotonin activity results in greater tendency to ask impulsively

Answer 49

MAOA-H---> associated with prosocial behaviour MAOA-L---> associated with antisocial behaviour ppl with MAOA-L genotypes exhibited lower prosocial behaviour and held pessimistic beliefs about the contribution of others in repeated public good gamrs which involved assigning money of 20 points

Answer 50

REFUTES THE IDEA THAT MAOA-L = AGGRESSION proposes that MAOA-L is linked to human happiness in females, no such differences in men explaining gender differences in aggression

Answer 51

Violence ONLY EXISTS within everyone due to a BASIC INSTINCT to DOMINATE aggressive energy is an instinctive drive that builds up until it needs to be released

Answer 52

agressive behaviour may be observed and imitated from same sex role models

Answer 53

evolution = the process of change in all forms of life including inherited characteristics over many generations 1. discovery that chimpanzees engage in organized violence suggests humans evolved from these behaviours 2. Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection suggests SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST (best suited, survive, pass genes) 3. Selection pressures e.g competition cause AGGRESSION This is an evolved strategy to assert dominance, increase status of males as a survival strategy as the female is more attracted to him

Answer 54

INSTINCTS 'the pleasure principle' -first part to develop at BIRTH -exists in the unconscious mind only -urges, instincts, desires -impulsive + selfish -instant gratification Consists of 2 instincts: 1. EROS (life instincts_ 2. THANATOS (death)

Answer 55

triparte system

Answer 56

REALITY PRINCIPLE - develops at 2 YEARS -exists in conscious mind -logic, decision-making, self-control -MEDIATOR between ID and superego -triggers defense mechanisms to defend itself

Answer 57

MORALITY PRINCIPLE -last to develop (3-5 YEARS) -exists in BOTH conscious and unconscious mind -morals and values in society -challenges ID's impulses

Answer 58

-Aggressive behaviours develop because the ID is dominant over the Ego and Superego -ID drives impulses and instinctive behaviours to be satisfied -The ID's EROS energy is LIBIDO (sexual impulses). This could explain aggressive behaviours observed in sex offenders - Whilst thanatos drives the death instinct, this could explain aggressive behaviours observed in violent criminals -EGO develops at 2 years old and SUPEREGO at 3-5 years old. This could explain why young children display tantrums towards other children as their ego + superego is underdeveloped + they cannot distinguish between right and wrong

Answer 59

because it is caught in the middle of a conflict between the ID and Superego in order to restrict the demands of the ID and reduxe offense to the superego, the EGO uses Defense mechanisms to protect itself

Answer 60

ID demands are repressed back into the unconscious mind

Answer 61

conscious mind refuses to admit that the ID's instinct is real

Answer 62

ID instincts satisfied, but are transformed onto something socially acceptable e.g: boxing to relieve aggression

Answer 63

the process of releasing negative energy in the mind methods: sport, art, music , psychotherapy

Answer 64

to relieve the conflicts of the unconscious mind and symptoms of distress, anger and anxiety freud proposed this as a form of psychotherapy he created a technique called psychoanalysis where a trained psychoanalyst helps a client to explore their own dreams and childhood memories to enable a client to learn about the defense mechanisms they are using to deal with the unresolved conflicts in their unconscious mind.

Answer 65

VERONA AND SULLIVAN investigated how ppts would act to a frustrating situation -ppts were observed to see whether acting in an aggressive way by 'pressing a shock button' would lead to decreased aggression by HR results showed that people who acted aggressively had a decreased HR supporting Freuds theory of CATHARSIS (release of negative energy)

Answer 66

UNFALSIFIABLE can neither be probed true or refuted e.g: the libido is difficult to test and measure objectively therefore decreased IV CANNOT establish CAUSE AND EFFECT between the triparte systems also, Freuds interpretations of his case study e.g Little hans is subject to bias as FREUD NEVER MET THE BOY (only wrote lettters) therefore it is UNSCIENTIFIC and QUESTIONABLE METHODS

Answer 67

POPPER- 'to be scientific researchers must use falsifiability through systematic investigation'

Answer 68

BANDURA SLT suggests aggressive behaviour is learnt in the environment through observation and imitation of role models, caused by NURTURE RATHER THAN NATURE

Answer 69

PSYCHOANALYSIS can help treat aggression by exploring the unconscious causes of aggression and HELP TREAT MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS -explores patients dreams and childhood memotues to find meaning the client learns about defense mechanisms they are using, and unresolved conflicts in their unconscious mind and become SELF AWARE

Answer 70

to investigate the extent to which social and physical aggression could be explained by genetic factors, shared environmental factors or non-shared environmental factors

Answer 71

IV= type of twin pair (MZ or DZ) DV= Teacher ratings for social and physical aggression was calculated out of 6 statements Peer ratings were taken from classmates who were asked to identify classmates from photographs who fitted various descriptions

Answer 72

234, 6 year old MZ/DZ twins taken from Quebec, Newborn Twin Study, Canada 94 Mz and 140 DZ OPPORTUNITY SAMPLING (they were already part of a Longitudinal study)

Answer 73

Quasi, longitudinal naturally occurring IV (MZ or DZ) -children followed up at 5,18,30,48 and 60 months and then again at 6 years)

Answer 74

-twins assigned MZ/DZ based on physical resemblance -2 sources of data gathered on all 234 ppts 1. TEACHER RATINGS (0 never, 1 sometimes, 2 often) were based on agreement to a no. of statements e.g' to what extent does the child try to make others mad' 2. PEER RATINGS , asked every child to circle 3 pics of children they though matched 4 diff behaviour descriptions e.g: this child tells mean secrets about another child'

Answer 75

scores for social and physical aggression were added together to produce 2 overall scores results were modelled by ACE (addictive genetic, shared environmental, non-shared environmental) CONC: PHYSICAL aggression - mostly NATURE (genes) SOCIAL aggression- mostly NURTURE (environment) Brendegan proposed that genes might give children a genetic predisposition towards physical aggression, but this only becomes social aggression if they have an environment that encourages it.

Answer 76

aim- to find brain abnormalities in murderers (NGRI) indicated by PET scans IV: NGRI or NOT DV: Brain activity found on PET scans

Answer 77

41 NGRI (39 men, 2 woman) 42 CONTROLS (no history of crime or mental illness) mean age 34.3

Answer 78

exp design -matched pairs based on age and gender methodology natural quasi as IV is naturally occuring

Answer 79

FDG was injected into the subject as a tracer of the brain metabollic rate for a 32 min period during which the subject completed a continuous performance task (CPT) -10 mina before the tracer was injected, the subjects were given a practise on the CPT -after 32 mins of FDG uptake, the subject undertook a PET scan

Answer 80

for ALL parts of the brain, the murderers had relatively LOWER glucose levels compared to controls AMYGDALA: NGRI: 0.94, CONTROL: 0.97 unusual emotional responses PREFRONTAL CORTEX NGRI:1.09 , CONTROL: 1.12 impulsive behaviour

Answer 81

to investigate if Sz has a genetic predisposition and to study the nature vs nurture debate

Answer 82

IV- 2 conditions 1. experimental group: adopted ppts with a biological mother diagnosed with Sz 2.control group: adopted ppts with a biological mother without Sz DV- Diagnosis of Sz was based on a score out of 100 assigned to each ppt regarding psycho-social ability scores below 75 indicate psychiatric symptoms may be troublesome

Answer 83

58 ppts, born between 1915-1945 5o Sz mothers in an OREGON STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL US (exp group) 58 ppts (control group) matched on sexm type of eventual placement and length of time in care further deaths and loss of contact resulted in 47 exp ppts and 50 controls

Answer 84

quasi-experimental design

Answer 85

selection criteria for adopted ppts in exp group 1. biological mother had put child up for adoption at BIRTH 2. biological mother's diagnosis of Sz 3. NO OTHER DISEASES -3 independant psychiatrists (including heston) reviewed each of the adopted ppts life -when all 3 psychiatrist raters agreed, a formal diagnosis was given -Sz also diagnosed by a psychiatric hospital

Answer 86

- police records -school records -civil and criminal court actions

Answer 87

Sz diagnosis for adopted ppts in exp group with Sz biological mothers was 10.6% compared to control group 0% HOWEVER, there myst be OTHER FACTORS influencing Sz as 50% of the exp group were successful adults with artistic talents and imaginative adaptations to life, which were NOT found in the control group

Answer 88

Sz is influenced by the BIOLOGICAL INHERITANCE OF GENES, contributing to psycho-social disability Significantly more ppts in the exp group had psycho-social disability including other psychiatric diagnosis, criminal records or were discharged from armed forces due to psychiatric illness (PTSD)

Answer 89

- a belief that a cold, manipulating, conflict causing mother causes her child to be schizophrenic' -the distrust and resentfulness that the child feels makes them feel psychotic - this THEORY has NOT BEEN supported by ADOPTION STUDY - HESTON

Answer 90

'what are the implications for society if aggression is caused by NATURE and NOT NURTURE?'

Answer 91

-aggression is the behaviour of harming others who do not wish to be harmed through physical, verbal and psychological violence and abuse -The SOCIETY IMPLICATIONS are vast and recorded by Lancet (2013) 1.25 million deaths occur worldwide every year due to violence -aggression caused by NATURE can lead to physical violence and mental health issues which can cause a STRAIN to hospital services with significant financial implications, costing the NHS 100 million pounds each year (BBC news health) -the global peace index shows that violence is NOT evenly across the world; people in Brazil are 25 x more likely to be murdered than those in the UK this suggests a NURTURE component to aggression, which could be influenced by the environment and childhood upbringing. -POLICTICAL IMPLICATIONS of aggression caused by NATURE could result in chemical castration of sex offenders as seen in countries like Czech Republi

Answer 92

point - MAOA gene + genetic inheritance -The MAOA gene codes for the MAOA enzyme which functions to break down excess neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine -a MUTATION in the MAOA gene causes the enzyme to malfunction, excess neurotransmitters so therefore aggression CHESTER ET AL supports- found low funtioning MAOA-L genotype 'warrior gene; was linked to greater aggression. point: alternative BIO EXP for aggression = Prefrontal cortex plays an important role in decision making so damage here could lead to aggressive behaviour (also amygdala) RAINE ET AL -supports -perhaps hormones cause aggression WAGNER ET AL supports (castration reduced aggressive behaviours)

Answer 93

In conclusion, the implications for society if aggression were to be caused by either nature or nurture are vast. Society could chose to implement stricter laws and reduce exposure to violent media on TV for young children OR could implement chemical castration of sex offenders.

biological psychology Flashcards

(117 cards)