sapolski

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

to investigate if cortisol will damage the hippocampus

Question 2

biological approach

Answer 2

neuroplasticity

Question 3

procedure

Answer 3

two groups of rhesus monkeys. one group had a pellet of cortisol, which was surgically implanted into their hippocampi. The second group (the control group) had cholesterol pellet inserted. After a year, the rhesus monkeys were euthanized, and their brains were compared

Question 4

results

Answer 4

cortisol group of rhesus monkeys had damage to the neurons in their hippocampal neurons

Question 5

conclusion

Answer 5

shows how stress might affect neuroplasticity in the brain. this can explain how people who experience long term stress tend to have a smaller hippocampi. this experiment can also explain the correlations between chronic stress in childhood and a smaller hippocampi.