1. The Role Environment, Cognition and Hormones Play in Behavior

2. OBJECTIVE 1
Using one or more examples, explain the functions of two hormones in human behavior.

3. Functions of Hormones Produced in the Endocrine System
Enter the bloodstream, so they are slower reacting than neurotransmitters

4. Adrenaline Gland: Adrenals Location: above the Kidneys
Function: Arousal, Fight/Flight

5. Cortisol Gland: Adrenals Location: above the Kidneys
Function: Arousal, stress reaction, memory

7. Impact of Cortisol SW= slow wave sleep (non REM)
Locus Ceruleus = pons, production of Noradrenaline (parasympathetic NS)
Pyrimidal = neurons in the Frontal Lobe, Hippocampus and Amygdala responsible in plasticity and cognition
Lipolysis= the breakdown of fatty acids
Proteolysis= the breakdown of proteins into amino acids

8. Melatonin
Gland: Pineal
Location: Mid Brain
Function: Sleep Regulation

9. Oxytocin Gland: Pituitary/Hypothalamus Location: Mid Brain
Function: Attraction, bonding

10. Testosterone/Estrogen
Gland: Gonads
Location: Testes; Uterus
Function: Sexual development, emotional response

11. OBJECTIVE 2
Discuss two effects of the environment on physiological processes.
Brain plasticity
Brain is physically sculpted by experience
Brain’s ability to adapt and accommodate experience
See Rosenzweig, Bennett and Diamond (1972): enriched versus impoverished environments resulted in differences in brain connectivity in rats
See also: Genie Case Study, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Addiction

12. OBJECTIVE 3
Examine one interaction between cognition and physiology in terms of behavior.
Davidson: Does Meditation Change Brain Activity (2004)
Subjects: 8 Buddhist monks and 10 novice meditators
Procedure: all were asked to meditate on love and compassion while in a PET scanner
Results: all monks and 2 novices showed increased GAMMA WAVES, brain activity linked to higher reasoning; soon after the test, novice gamma waves returned while the monk’s gamma waves stayed elevated showing brain plasticity due to practicing meditation

13. The Mozart Effect (Raucher et al, 1993)
Claim: listening to complex musical compositions excites brain areas responsible for spatial tasks
Findings: spatial skill enhancement had little to do with the music itself, and more to do with arousal (Thompson, 2001: good mood = better spatial performance without musical influence)

14. Mirror Neurons
Essential for observing others, social interactions, empathy
Gallese et al, 1996: mirror neurons in Rhesus monkeys
The same electrical signals were elicited in the brain when monkeys watched or performed movements.

15. Iacoboni, 2004: Would looking at emotional faces cause similar brain stimulation in the viewer?
Yes: whether looking at face or making the face, the Nucleus Accumbens and Amygdala were activated just the same.