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IB PSYCH HL: BIO
biological approach to understanding behavior
Term | Definition |
---|---|
most frequent techniques used to investigate relationship between the brain and behavior | fMRI, MRI, EEG, CAT, PET |
areas of human brain related to behavior | |
fMRI | |
strengths of fMRI | |
limitations of fMRI | |
MRI | |
strengths of MRI | |
limitations of MRI | |
EEG | |
strengths of EEG | |
limitations of EEG | |
CAT | |
strengths of CAT | |
limitations of CAT | |
PET | |
strengths of PET | |
limitations of PET | |
less frequent techniques used to investigate relationship between the brain and behavior | observations from autopsy, stroke and accident victims |
localization | |
how function of different parts of the brain is determined (localization) | |
limitations of localization | |
neuroplasticity | development of neural networks through repetition and neural pruning in both genetic and subject to environmental influences. neural networks can change developmentally, over time or after injury. |
neural transmission | nerve impulses travel along neurons until they reach a synapse |
neurotransmitters | neurotransmitters mediate the events at the synapse. there are many neurotransmitters in the human brain (ex. serotonin and dopamine). many hormones can also act as neurotransmitters (ex. adrenaline and oxytocin) |
neurotransmitters effect on behavior 1 | neurotransmitters allow the impulse to cross a synapse (excitatory) or stop the impulse and prevent it from crossing a synapse (inhibitory). |
neurotransmitters effect on behavior 2 | neurotransmitters are themselves affected by agonists which amplify their effect and antagonists which reduce their effect. |
neurotransmitters effect on behavior 3 | as a result, neurons working together can produce a large variety of effects resulting in a complex repertoire of behaviors. as a result any claim of cause and effect should be treated with caution. |
neural networks | neural networks in the brain develop by the making and breaking of synaptic connections between neurons. |
hormones | hormones are chemicals released by specific glands in the body to regulate medium and long--term changes in the body. some hormones (ex. adrenaline) also act as neurotransmitters ad can produce instantaneous effects on mood and attention |
example 1 of hormone on human behavior | |
example 2 of hormone on human behavior | |
example 3 of hormone on human behavior | |
pheromones | |
pheromones and behavior | increasing evidence that pheromones may play a role in human behavior, however, none are conclusive. |
discussion of effect of pheromones on behavior | arguments for and against the insurance of pheromones on human behavior |
genetics and behavior | the evidence for links between genes and certain types of behavior requires critical evaluation in the light of environmental factors |
nature of the gene | genes are make up of DNA which provides the blueprint for the structure and function of the human body. This could include behavior. an individual's genome refers to all the genes that individual possesses. list one or more examples of link |
genetic similarities 1 | referred to as relatedness. the grater the genetic similarities between two individuals or a group of individuals the higher the degree of relatedness. |
genetic similarities 2 | an awareness of the degree of relatedness between MZ and DZ twins, siblings, siblings, parents and children, and parents and adopted children provides a critical perspective in evaluating tin or kinship studies |
evolutionary explanations for behavior | If genes code for behavior as well as physical traits, then behavior is subject to evolutionary pressures in the same way that physical traits are subject to evolutionary pressures |
gene regulation and gene expression 1 | not all genes and individual possesses are expressed at all times. genes can be switched on and off. this is gene regulation resulting in differential gene expression. |
gene regulation and gene expression 2 | therefore, having a gene for a particular behavior does not necessarily mean that an individual will exhibit that behavior |
factors that affect gene expression | genes are switched on and off by signals from inside and outside the body. |
internal factors that affect gene expression | internal signals include the presence of hormones or other chemicals or indeed other genes. hormones are frequently produced as a result for environmental events and work by altering gene expression |