Biological psychology

Which two things make up the central nervous system?

The nervous system contains all of the [blank_start]neurons[blank_end] in the body.

Nerve cells carry [blank_start]'messages'[blank_end] through an [blank_start]electrochemical[blank_end] process. Information is received by the [blank_start]dendrites[blank_end] and an [blank_start]electrical impulse[blank_end] travels down the [blank_start]axon[blank_end] to the [blank_start]axon terminal[blank_end] buttons.

Neuro transmission is the same as synaptic transmission.

Label the neuron.

Label the neuron.

Label the synapse.

When a neuron receives a message from another neurone this chemical message can either: -stimulate excitatory post synaptic potential which [blank_start]depolarises[blank_end] the neuron, [blank_start]reducing[blank_end] it's charge -stimulate an inhibitory post synaptic potential, [blank_start]increasing[blank_end] it's charge and [blank_start]hyperpolarising[blank_end] the neuron.

When a neuron receives a message from another neuron, this chemical message can stimulate either an [blank_start]excitatory postsynaptic response[blank_end], or an [blank_start]inhibitory postsynaptic response[blank_end].

When a neuron has received enough excitatory messages, or at least more excitatory messages in comparison to the number of inhibitory messages, that are sufficiently strong enough to reach the neurons own threshold, what is triggered?

Neurons have a resting membrane potential of about...

Label the synapse.

What happens when a chemical message stimulates an excitatory postsynaptic potential?

What happens when a chemical message stimulates an inhibitory postsynaptic potential?

What are the functions of Acetylcholine?

What are the functions of Noradrenaline?

What are the functions of Dopamine?

What are the functions of Serotonin?

The impact of alcohol on neurotransmission: -It has a [blank_start]depressant effect[blank_end] on the nervous system -It acts to inhibit [blank_start]neural transmission[blank_end] by [blank_start]increasing[blank_end] the action of [blank_start]GABA[blank_end]

The impact of Opiods on neurotransmission: -[blank_start]Reduces[blank_end] GABA activity, which leads to [blank_start]overactivity[blank_end] of [blank_start]dopaminergic[blank_end] neurotransmission in the [blank_start]reward pathways[blank_end] of the brain.

The impact of Amphetamines on neurotransmission: -Increases [blank_start]dopamine[blank_end] and [blank_start]noradrenaline[blank_end] in the synapse by changing the [blank_start]reuptake[blank_end] process so that it works in [blank_start]reverse[blank_end] -They force the release of these neurotransmitters, which can [blank_start]block[blank_end] reuptake, and in [blank_start]high doses[blank_end] can inhibit their breakdown in [blank_start]enzymes[blank_end]

The impact of Cocaine on neurotransmission: -[blank_start]Increases[blank_end] activity in the [blank_start]dopamine pathway[blank_end] by blocking the [blank_start]reuptake[blank_end] of [blank_start]dopamine[blank_end]

The impact of Nicotine on neurotransmission: -Targets aspects of the [blank_start]dopamine[blank_end] pathway, [blank_start]increasing[blank_end] the amount and transmission of dopamine by blocking the [blank_start]enzyme[blank_end] that [blank_start]breaks it down[blank_end]. -It mimics [blank_start]acetylcholine[blank_end] and binds to [blank_start]nicotinic receptors[blank_end]

What are the functions of Noradrenaline?

What are the functions of Dopamine?

What are the functions of Acetylcholine?

What are the functions of Serotonin?

The impact of recreational drugs on the brain... The brain contains a [blank_start]reward pathway[blank_end] which causes us to experience a [blank_start]pleasant and rewarding feeling[blank_end]. This encourages us to [blank_start]repeat behaviour[blank_end] that activates that pathway (behaviour + nice feeling = continued/repeated behaviour). This has [blank_start]evolved[blank_end]- it is [blank_start]adaptive[blank_end] for us to feel good after eating high-calorie food for example, as it ensures that we store enough fat on our bodies in preparation for periods of famine. Drugs hijack this reward system and produce pleasurable feelings without and [blank_start]adaptive functioning[blank_end].

What happens to neurotransmitter that has not been absorbed?

Which part of the brain is related to personality and aggression?

Which part of the brain is in charge of vision?

Which part of the brain is in charge of memory functions?

Which part of the brain holds information centres, such as those for language?

Which part of the brain controls behaviour that could be considered basic functioning, such as breathing?

Label the parts of the brain.

Label the parts of the brain.

What is the main function of the occipital lobe?

What is the main function of the cerebellum?

What is the main function of the parietal lobe?

What is the main function of the frontal lobe?

What is the function of the temporal lobe?

Which part of the brain is linked with offensive behaviour?

Which part of the brain is linked with defensive behaviour?

Which part of the brain is linked with predatory aggression?

The hypothalamus is located in the limbic system.

What type of behaviour is linked with the medial hypothalamus?

What type of behaviour is linked with the dorsal hypothalamus?

What type of behaviour is linked with the lateral hypothalamus?

The hypothalamus leads to the production of testosterone.

There is no generalisability issue relating to the hypothalamus and it's research that has been conducted upon animals.

What are the main roles of the hippocampus, the amygdala and the hypothalamus?

Aims of Raine's study: 1. To see if there were [blank_start]brain differences[blank_end] between [blank_start]violent offenders and normal people[blank_end]. 2. Raine aimed to find out if the [blank_start]brain functions[blank_end] of violent and non-violent criminals were different. 3. They wanted to see if murderers had brain dysfunctions in their p[blank_start]refrontal cortex[blank_end], angular gyrus, a[blank_start]mygdala gyrus[blank_end], amygdala, h[blank_start]ippocampus[blank_end], t[blank_start]halamus[blank_end] and c[blank_start]orpus collosum[blank_end] associated with [blank_start]violent behaviour[blank_end].

The sample of Raine's study included [blank_start]41[blank_end] murderers pleading not guilty by reason of insanity and [blank_start]41[blank_end] controls. The main participants were [blank_start]39[blank_end] men and [blank_start]2[blank_end] women charged with either murder or manslaughter.

The participants of Raine's had a mixture of [blank_start]schizophrenia[blank_end], [blank_start]brain injury[blank_end], [blank_start]affective disorder[blank_end], [blank_start]epilepsy[blank_end], were [blank_start]substance abusers[blank_end] etc.

Raine's study was an independent groups design.

Which type of brain scan was used in Raine's study (1997)?

In Raine's study, what did processes did the control group have to go through before participating in the experiment?

In Raine's study, all participants were kept drug free two weeks before the scan.

Results for the cortical regions of the brain (Raine 1997): -Lower glucose metabolism in [blank_start]prefrontal cortex[blank_end] and [blank_start]parietal lobe[blank_end] in comparison to controls. -Differences in the [blank_start]temporal lobe[blank_end]. -Higher metabolism in the [blank_start]occipital lobe[blank_end].

Results for the subcortical areas (Raine 1997): -Lower glucose metabolism in the [blank_start]corpus collosum[blank_end] than the control. -Differences in activity in the [blank_start]left amygdala[blank_end] and greater activity in the [blank_start]right amygdala[blank_end]. -Differences in activity in the [blank_start]medial temporal lobe[blank_end], including the [blank_start]hypothalamus[blank_end]. -The murderers had greater [blank_start]thalamic activity[blank_end] than the controls.

Which of the following were conclusions of Raine's 1997 study on NGRI criminals?

Aims of Brendgen's study (2005): 1- To see if social aggression is caused by the [blank_start]genes[blank_end] or the [blank_start]environment[blank_end]. 2- To see if social aggression shares the [blank_start]same cause[blank_end] as [blank_start]physical aggression[blank_end]. 3- To see if one type of aggression could lead to [blank_start]other types[blank_end] of aggression.

Who were the participants of Brendgen's study (2005)?

In Brendgen's study, who rated the participant's behaviour?

In Brendgen's 2005 study, what were the participants tested on?

Findings of Brendgen's study: -Social aggression: [blank_start]environmental effects[blank_end] were found but only weak [blank_start]genetic effects[blank_end] were noted - e.g. there was [blank_start]equal correlation[blank_end] between MZ and DZ twins -Physical aggression: significant effects of [blank_start]genes[blank_end] and limited effects of [blank_start]the environment[blank_end] - e.g. there was a [blank_start]higher correlation[blank_end] for MZ in comparison to DZ -Directional affect: there was a directional affect between [blank_start]physical[blank_end] and [blank_start]social aggression[blank_end].

Further findings of Brendgen's 2005 study: -Gender differences: boys were more [blank_start]physically aggressive[blank_end], girls were more [blank_start]socially aggressive[blank_end], according to both peers and teachers -The way in which social aggression is [blank_start]expressed[blank_end] may in fact be caused by the [blank_start]environment[blank_end] e.g. learning language that leads to the expression of social aggression

Which of these were conclusions for Brendgen's 2005 study?

Evolution happens by [blank_start]natural selection[blank_end]. Evolutionary psychologists would agree that the mind [blank_start]evolved[blank_end] much like the body and that aspects of human behaviour result from [blank_start]evolutionary adaptions[blank_end] that served our [blank_start]ancestral past[blank_end]. The [blank_start]structure and function[blank_end] of the brain has evolves to serve an [blank_start]adaptive function[blank_end] in the [blank_start]environment of evolutionary adaption[blank_end].

Which of these are examples of evolved behaviours?

Hormones are chemical messengers that transmit information around the body though the CNS.

What is the role of oxytocin?

Which gland releases oxytocin?

Testosterone is an androgen.

Testosterone impacts behaviour because [blank_start]antenatal exposure[blank_end] to testosterone has an [blank_start]organising effect[blank_end] on the [blank_start]developing brain[blank_end]- increased [blank_start]spatial ability[blank_end] and [blank_start]competitive aggression[blank_end].

Testosterone sensitises certain [blank_start]neural circuits[blank_end], for example, it stimulates [blank_start]cell growth[blank_end] in areas of the [blank_start]hypothalamus[blank_end] and amygdala.

Hormones are very slow.

The eros is known as the libido and the focus is on enjoyment of life.

What is the role of the thanatos?

Which of these apply to the Id?

Which of these apply to the Ego?

Which of these apply to the superego?

A defense mechanism directs our aggression outwardly, so that we harm others and not ourselves, or direct our energy elsewhere.

Which of these best describes displacement?

Which of these best describes sublimation?

Catharsis is a [blank_start]psychodynamic[blank_end] [blank_start]principle[blank_end] that, in it's most basic sense, is simply an [blank_start]emotional release[blank_end]. Aggressive or sexual urges are relieved by releasing aggressive or sexual energy, usually through [blank_start]action or fantasy[blank_end]. E.G watching an emotional film, playing aggressive games, watching a tv series, playing a musical instrument.