Biological Level of Analysis Kayla, Keisha, Kaylina

2.1 Outline the principles that define the biological level of analysis (SAQ) 2.1 Outline the principles that define the biological level of analysis (SAQ)

Emotions & Behavior are products of anatomy and physiology of the nervous and endocrine system (effect of neurotransmitters, hormones and brain localization) o depending on the physical event, effects how our bodies will react to it. Patterns of behavior can be inherited o Darwin’s theory of evolution Animal research may inform our understanding of human behavior o Generalizations from animal testing

2.2 Explain how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be demonstrated in research (SAQ) 2.2 Explain how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be demonstrated in research (SAQ)

Principle 1&3 - Martinez and Kesner (1991) o Aime: Effects of neurotransmitters on memory o Method: rat testing Group A: Scopolamine- injected so blocked acetycholine receptor sites, decreases available acetycholine Group B: physostigmine--blocks the production of cholinesterase (takes away acetycholine from receptor sites) Group C: control o Findings: Group A: slower, more errors Group B: Faster fewer errors Principle 2 – Heston 1966 o Aim: Test if schizophrenia is genetic o Method: looked at the incidence of schizophrenia in children who lived in foster homes then correlated this incidence with the diagnosis of schizophrenia in their biological parents o Findings: over 10% of adopted children with a family history of schizophrenia were later diagnosed with it strong evidence that schizophrenia has a genetic component

2.3 Explain how and why two particular research methods are used at the biological level of analysis (experiments, observations, and correlation studies) (SAQ)

Lab experiments o To establish cause and effect relationships between the variables. o By not using humans ethical concerns are minimized o By not using humans there wont be a placebo effect (no deception) o Testing on animals and generalizing results to humans o Researchers can control environment o Martinez and Kesner (1991) Case Studies o Taking advantage of naturally occurring irregularities by obtaining detailed information o How Blood testing IQ scores Survey data Investigation of human experiences o Disadvantage Persons anonymity is at risk o HM

2.4 Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the biological level of analysis (LAQ)

Schachter and Singer (1962) o Aim: to challenge several theories of emotion o Method: Injected participants with adrenaline (3/4) or a placebo (1/4). Group 1: were told they may experience the actual effects of receiving an adrenaline injection Group 2: not given any information about possible side effects Group 3: told that some people experienced a headache and numbness or itchiness in the feet as side-effects o Findings: groups who had received an adrenaline injection with out the correct information about its physiological effects showed more of the euphoric behaviors, and also reported more happiness on the self-report form emotion occurs by a process of cognitive labeling o UNETHICAL Maguire et al. (2000) o Aim: investigate the structural changes in London Taxi driver's hippocampus after 2 years of training. o Method: used structural MRI scans of fully licensed male taxi drivers with a range of years' experience driving, compared them to control subjects o Findings: left and right hippocampi were significantly higher in volume in taxi drivers brains redistribution of grey matter in the hippocampi as a result of intense development and use of spatial memory skills o ETHICAL

2.5 Explain one study relating to localization of function in the brain (SAQ)

The case of Phineas Gage o tamping iron was sent through his skull o survived but never fully recovered o Damage to frontal lobe of his brain and dramatically changed his personality o frontal cortex was effecting Gage's personality HM o was studied regularly for many years after brain surgery (1953) to correct his epilepsy o an important part of his hippocampus was removed o caused severe memory problems o this allowed researchers to make inferences about the role of the hippocampus

2.6 Using one or more examples explain the effects of neurotransmitters on human behavior

Neurotransmitter – chemical message that regulates signals between neurons and other cells in the body Dopamine o movement, learning, and feelings of pleasure o An example of a drug that has an effect on neurotransmission an behavior is L- dopa. This drug triggers release of dopamine in areas of the brain that lack it, such as the motor cortex. Parkinsons disease Schizophrenia Marijuana Cocaine

2.7 Using one or more examples explain functions of two hormones in human behavior

Schachter and Singer (1962) Rosenthal o Melatonin Study o He found that people who live in countries where there are low levels of sunlight, they have a higher level of melatonin o This causes Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), symptoms include depression.

2.8 Discuss two effects of the environment on sociological processes (LAQ)

Maguire et al. (2000) o London taxi drivers Draganski et al. (2004) o Aim: determining whether both functional and structural changes could be detected in the human brain as a result of learning a new motor skill o Method: half of participants spent 3 months learning to perform a basic juggling routine for a minimum of 60 seconds Structural MRI scans were taken before and after the 3 months of practice scan taken 3 months after when they were not supposed to practice o Findings: two areas of the brain were significantly different in size after training difference was smaller in 3rd scan practice of watching balls move though the air repetitively and learning to move in response to this has strengthened the connections between neurons in the parts of the brain responsible for this activity

2.9 Examine on interaction between cognition and physiology in terms of behavior

Maguire et al. (2000) Draganski et al. (2004)

2.10 Discuss the use of brain imaging technologies in investigating the relationship between biological factors and behavior

HM o Aim: study the role of the hippocampus on behavior. o The technology that was used was an MRI. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). In an MRI the protons in the water inside the body change their alignment. The hydrogen atoms are detected by the scanner, when exposed to a strong magnetic field. the MRI scans were taken because scientists were concerned about damage to the hippocampus due to a prior surgery that was done to decrease his epilepsy. HM was diagnosed to have anterograde amnesia, which means that he lost of the ability to create new memories after the event that caused the amnesia The scientists used MRI scans to conclude that the hippocampus is responsible for the transfer of memories from the Short Term Memory to the Long Term Memory. Maguire et al. (2000) o With the use of MRI scans, Maguire and others were able to conclude that the hippocampus is responsible for memory and navigational skills. Draganski et al. (2004) o With the use of MRI scans, Draganski and others were able to conclude that the practice of watching the balls move through the air and learning to move in response to this changed the structure of the occipital-temporal lobe.

2.11 (LAQ) 2.11 With reference to relevant research studies, to what extent does genetic inheritance influence behavior? (LAQ)

Bailey and Pillard (1991) o Aim: To measure the concordance rate of homosexuality that happens between monozygotic and dizygotic twins. o Method: They measured how often, when one twin was homosexual, the other was also homosexual. o Findings: Dizygotic twins had a concordance rate of 22%, while Monozygotic twins had a concordance of 52%. Therefore, environmental influence around the twins must play a role in explaining why Monozygotic twins did not have 100% concordance. While strong genetic components suggest that it may explain why Monozygotic twins have more than double the concordance of Dizygotic twins. o Connection to LO: Their results indicate that although there must be some environmental influence to explain why MZ twins did not have 100% concordance, there must also be a strong genetic component to explain why MZ twins have more than double the rate of concordance of DZ twins. Heston (1966) o Aim: to see if schizophrenia is genetic o Method: adoption study, assumed that if offspring were separated from their biological parents, the physical and behavioral similarities observed between them are largely caused by genetic factors. o Findings: over 10% of adopted children with a family history of schizophrenia were later diagnosed with it, a lot higher than the incidence in the general population which is 1%. Strong evidence that schizophrenia has a genetic component. o Connection to LO: according to the result of the experiment, the specific behavior, which is schizophrenia in this case, are more likely to be influenced by genetical factors than other nurture-related factors, which in this case is foster homes.

Examine one evolutionary explanation of behavior.

Darwin o Theory of evolution o Natural selection o Genes more favorable to environment will survive longer (survival of the fittest) o Human behavior shows how humans have developed over time o Emotion of Disgust Fessler (2006) o Pregnant women and disgust

Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behavior

Link between genetic heritage and peoples lives o Stigmatizing Confidentiality and privacy