BioPsychology Flashcards
(34 cards)
Why might the fight or flight response be maladaptive in modern life?
It evolved for survival in physical threats but is over-activated by modern stressors (e.g. work). Chronic activation increases blood pressure, raising risks of heart disease.
Highlights mismatch between evolved mechanisms and current environments.
How is the fight or flight response potentially biased in gender representation?
Taylor et al. (2000): women may show a “tend and befriend” response due to evolutionary pressure to protect offspring and seek social support.
Suggests beta bias in assuming universality across genders.
What cognitive theory challenges the automaticity of fight or flight?
Lazarus (1990) argued that perception/appraisal of threat determines stress response.
Cognitive appraisal (e.g. threat vs. challenge) affects intensity of physiological reaction.
What are long-term health implications of prolonged fight or flight activation?
Chronic stress activates the sympathetic nervous system repeatedly.
Can damage cardiovascular system and suppress immune function over time
What brain imaging evidence supports localisation of function?
Peterson et al. (1988): Broca’s area active during reading, Wernicke’s during listening. Tulving et al. (1994): semantic & episodic memories localised in different areas of the prefrontal cortex.
Brain scans provide scientific support.
What does Phineas Gage’s case suggest about localisation?
Damage to frontal lobe led to major personality changes.
Supports the idea that specific regions (e.g. prefrontal cortex) regulate certain behaviours (e.g. decision-making/emotion).
Counterpoint: Case studies may lack generalisability and control over variables.
What is a major challenge to localisation theory from animal research?
Lashley (1950): Removing 10–50% of cortex in rats learning mazes didn’t impair learning. Suggests functions like learning are distributed.
Supports holistic theory for complex tasks.
How has localisation theory informed treatments?
Dougherty et al. (2002): 32-45% of OCD patients improved after cingulotomy.
Shows that understanding specific brain regions leads to targeted interventions.
What did Sperry’s split-brain research show?
Left hemisphere = verbal/language; right = visual-spatial processing.
Demonstrates hemispheric specialisation.
What are the limitations of split-brain research?
Small sample size (11); epilepsy history & surgical differences = confounding variables.
Limits generalisability & internal validity.
How has lateralisation been oversimplified in popular psychology?
Nielsen et al. (2013): brain scans of 1000 people found no dominant hemisphere.
Suggests the brain is more integrated than strict lateralisation implies.
What are the real-world contributions of split-brain research?
Supports localisation theories & inspires debate about ‘dual minds’ (Pucetti, 1980).
Advanced understanding of hemisphere function despite challenges.
What research supports brain plasticity?
Maguire et al. (2000): London taxi drivers = larger posterior hippocampus. Draganski et al. (2006): medical students’ brains changed post-exam.
Shows structure changes with experience.
How does functional recovery manifest after trauma?
Axonal sprouting, recruitment of homologous areas. Case studies (e.g. EB) & animal models support post-injury reorganisation.
Demonstrates brain’s adaptability.
Is plasticity possible in adulthood?
Bezzola et al. (2012): 40 hours of golf training changed motor cortex in 40–60 year olds.
Suggests neuroplasticity continues later in life.
What are the negative effects of brain plasticity?
Phantom limb syndrome (60–80% of amputees). Drug abuse leads to harmful brain changes.
Plasticity can have maladaptive outcomes.
What is fMRI and what are its strengths and weaknesses?
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow in active brain areas (haemodynamic response).
Non-invasive, high spatial resolution (1–2 mm), good for localisation
– Poor temporal resolution (~5s delay), expensive
What is EEG and what are its strengths and limitations?
Electroencephalogram (EEG) measures electrical activity via electrodes on the scalp. Detects synchronous firing of neurons.
High temporal resolution (milliseconds), useful for sleep/epilepsy studies
– Low spatial resolution, can’t locate deep activity
What are ERPs and how are they used?
Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) are brainwaves linked to specific stimuli. Derived from EEG by averaging signals.
High temporal resolution; used in attention/perception research
– Prone to noise; lack standardisation across studies
What is a post-mortem exam and what are its pros/cons?
ost-mortem = analysis of brain after death to identify abnormalities linked to behaviour.
Informs early localisation (e.g. Broca’s area), useful for rare conditions
– No causality, ethical issues with consent, retrospective
What is the SCN and what role does it play?
The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) is a bundle of nerve cells in the hypothalamus that regulates circadian rhythms. It receives light info from the optic nerve and adjusts melatonin production by the pineal gland.
SCN = primary endogenous pacemaker
What evidence supports the SCN’s role in circadian rhythms?
DeCoursey et al. (2000): SCN-lesioned chipmunks lost rhythms and had higher death rates. Ralph et al. (1990): mutant SCN transplanted into normal hamsters changed their cycles.
SCN is key to rhythm regulation
Counterpoint: Findings may not generalise to humans; ethical issues in animal research
What are the strengths and limitations of circadian rhythm studies?
Practical applications to shift work and chronotherapeutics (e.g. heart meds timed for dawn). Limitation: Studies like Siffre allowed artificial light (a zeitgeber), and Damiola showed liver clocks shift independently of SCN.
Multiple internal clocks exist beyond SCN
How do exogenous zeitgebers affect sleep-wake cycles?
Campbell & Murphy (1998): light on knees altered sleep cycles without eye input. Shows peripheral detection possible.
Counterpoint: Arctic dwellers maintain rhythms despite darkness; Miles et al. (1977) case of blind man with 24.9h cycle supports sunlight via eyes as key entrainer.
