Transcript IB PSYCHOLOGY Principle 1 The basis of emotions and behaviour are largely products of anatomy and physiology (don’t deny the influence of environment).

IB PSYCHOLOGY
Principle 1
The basis of emotions and behaviour are largely
products of anatomy and physiology (don’t deny the
influence of environment). It can be understood in
terms of:
 The effect of hormones
 The effect of neurotransmitters
 The effect of brain localisation.
 The effect of genes
The relationship is bi-directional. Biology can
affect cognition and cognition can affect biology.
Reductionist – explains complex behaviour in
terms of simple causes.
Research connected with Principle 1
 Scachter & Singer (1962) performed an
experiment on the role of adrenaline (a
hormone) in causing emotion.
 Broca’s area & Wernicke’s area – localisation of
function
 HM – localisation of function of the brain
 Martinez & Kesner (1991) on the role of
Acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) on memory
(see Crane p 41)
Principle 2: Animal Research can provide insight
into human behaviour
 Researchers
use animals to study physiological
processes – assumed that most biological
processes in non-human animals are the same as
humans.
 One important reason for using animals is that
humans cannot be used for ethical reasons.
Research connected with principle 2
 Le Doux (1999) tested the role of
Amygdala in fear responses by
damaging the amygdala of rats and
then testing their emotional response.
 Martinez & Kesner (1991) – the
research on acetylcholine on memory
was undertaken by injecting rats with
scopolamine (an acetylcholine
inhibitor). See Crane p 41.
Principle 3: Patterns of behaviour can be
inherited – and is, to some extent, genetically
based.
 Behaviour can be explained by genetic
inheritance although it rarely offers a full
explanation and should be viewed as genetic
inheritance influenced by environmental
factors.
 Nature vs. Nurture
 Researchers often use twins so that they can
compare one twin with another – variables
such as intelligence, depression etc
Research connected to principle 3
 Bouchard et al (1990) performed the Minesota
twin study investigating the role of genes in
IQ. Participants were MZ reared apart (MZA)
and MZ reared together (MZT). MZA – 86%; MZT
76%.
 Lee & Chamber (2006) – Research into the
effect of MAO – monoamine oxidase – enzymes
produced via genetic inheritance that break
down dopamine and seratonin. Dubbed as ‘the
warrior gene’.