Biological Level of Analysis

Nota:

• evolution plays a key role in behavior

1. mirror neurons
   1. Gallese et al. 1996

      Nota:

      • isolate neural response in rhesus monkeys reaching for food When another individual reached for food, the neural response was still seen in the monkeys even though they weren't reaching for food
2. inheritance

   Nota:

   • Genes and DNA are passed from parents to offspring
   1. twin studies
      1. Minnesota Twin Study - Bouchard et al. 1990

         Nota:

         • Compared MZA's (monozygotic raised apart) and MZT's (monozygotic raised together) Cross-cultural validity - global study determines heritability estimate of 70% for intelligence
   2. intelligence
      1. Bouchard and McGue 1981

         Nota:

         • Found that closer the kinship, the higher the correlation for IQ --- individuals 100% genetic relationship but different nurture = any IQ similarity will be genetics
3. Darwin & natural selection
   1. hormones
      1. oxytocin

         Nota:

         • creates bonding within families and society -- evolutionary strength in community
      2. adrenaline

         Nota:

         • causes flight/fight response  -- evolutionary survival
   2. disgust

1. Martinez and Kesner 1991
2. humans share 93% of genes with rhesus monkeys
3. Gallese et al. 1996

1. neurotransmission

   Nota:

   • method by which messages are sent throughout the body --- cause body to respond to stimuli
   • neuron - nerve cell axon - body of neuron neurotransmitters - cross synapses, stored in terminal buttons synapse - gab between neurons dendrites - receive information
   1. acetylcholine

      Nota:

      • muscle contraction
      1. Martinez and Kesner 1991

         Nota:

         • Aim: determine role of acetylcholine in memory rats were trained to go through a maze, some given shots to block acetylcholine Findings: acetylcholine important role in creating memory of maze
   2. dopamine

      Nota:

      • voluntary movement, learning, and feelings of pleasure --- excess = schizophrenia
   3. norepinephrine

      Nota:

      • arousal, alertness, and stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system
   4. serotonin

      Nota:

      • sleep, arousal levels, and emotion
      1. Kasamatsu and Hirai 1999

         Nota:

         • aim: how sensory deprivation affects the brain serotonin levels increased in monks' brains -- sensory deprivation triggered release of serotonin
2. hormones
   1. oxytocin

      Nota:

      • mother-child attachment -- secreted by pituitary and hypothalamus
   2. adrenaline
   3. cortisol
   4. testosterone & oestrogen
   5. melatonin

      Nota:

      • SAD - seasonal affective disorder individuals are sleepy and lethargic because of an increase in melatonin --- genetically based explanation for behavior