Biological Psychology

Evolution & Natural Selection

Evolution is how inherited characteristics in organism which change from generation to generation. Changes in inherited characteristics lead to differentiation within a species. Natural selection is the process organisms better adapted to their environment, healthier,...

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Evolution & Reproductive Fitness

Males choose to mate with as many females as possible to pass on his genes more to have as many offspring as possible, so they too will pass on their gene line. Men can have as many children as they want while women’s bodies change from reproduction when carrying a...

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Evolution & Natural Selection Explaining Aggression

To understand aggression we have to look at our evolutionary past to see displays of aggressive behaviour such as increased reproductive fitness. Trait passed through genes showing trait ensured reproductive success. Concern for male ancestors was not getting a mate...

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Freud (Psychodynamic Approach)

Background: Conscious mind: everything we are aware of. Aspect of our mental processing that we can think & talk rationally. Preconscious mind: Represents ordinary memory, we are not consciously aware of this information at any given time, can retrieve it &...

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Bio Practical

Aim: To investigate whether there is a positive correlation between masculinity score & aggression score as measured frim self-report questionnaires. Co-variables: Masculinity (/40) on attributes questionnaire. Aggression (/145) Bussy Perry aggression scale....

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Methodology – Correlations

A correlation is the measurement of extent in which pairs of values on two variables change together. They describe the relationship between 2 variables in statistical terms. Not a research method. No IV or DV but described in co-variables because they both vary &...

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Methodology: Twin & Adoption Studies

Twin Studies: One way to investigate genes & if cause behaviour is to study twins. Monozygotic (MZ) [Identical] who share 100% of their genes as they came from the same fertilized egg Dizygotic (DZ) [Non-identical] who share only 50% of their genes as they came...

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Brenden: Twin Study (Can Use This as a Contemporary)

Aims: To see if social aggression could be caused by genes or the environment, see if social aggression is shared the same cause as physical aggression, if one type of aggression leads to another. Social aggression: Socially manipulative e.g ignoring others, spreading...

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Heston

Aim: How many adopted children of BIO mothers with SZ would go on to develop SZ themselves. If Sig number sis be powerful evidence of genes in SZ. Procedure: Experimental sample born between 1915 & 45 to SZ mothers in Oregon state psychiatric hospital (47)....

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Scientific Scans

Cat Scans They can show us tumours or brain damage and used following head traumas to show damage done. Unable to show us how brain functions. Multiple beams will pass around the head gathering large amounts of data and it is processed through a computer for a...

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Contemporary Study – Li PPC

Aim: -Investigate relationship between Chronic Heroine use & effects on the Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC). Wanted to see if Heroine changes brain functions. Look at brain damage compare to control group. Sample: 14 Heroin addicts matched to 15 controls, aged...

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Classic Study – Raine

Aim: Show brain of murders who plead guilty by reasons of insanity (GBRI) were different from brains of non-murders. Especially relatively localised brain dysfunctions in pre-frontal cortex, amygdala and thalamus. Sample: 41 murders pleading NGRI matched to 41...

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Structure & Brain Areas Causing Aggression

Basics: 4 lobes (frontal, temerpal, parietal & Occipital) 2 Hemispheres (left, right) Prefrontal cortex: -Responsible for personality expression, planning complex cog behaviours, controls social inhibitions, input to emotional responses and emotional regulation....

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Neurotransmitters as Role for Aggression

Dopamine: -Neurotransmitter which mediates pleasure and excitement along the mesolimbic pathway. -Lavaine: Found that an increase in Dopamine levels through use of amphetamines is associated with aggression. Suggests that higher levels of dopamine correlates with high...

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CNS, Neurotransmitters & Synaptic Transmissions

CNS is made up of brain & spinal cord. The NS is brain, spinal cord and network of neurons. It is responsible for sending, receiving & interpreting info from all over the body. The NS monitors & co-ordinates internal organ functions & responses to...

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Synaptic Transmission & Human Behaviour

Cells electrical action start small as electro-impulses generated at AXON HILLOCK, but once it reaches axon terminal the neuron’s terminal button can pass its chemical message across the synaptic gap. Each Neuron is responsible for producing a certain NT and when the...

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The Effect of Recreational Drugs on Transmission Process

Cocaine makes the user feel on top of the world, wide awake and confident. Getting a surge of energy. It takes 15 minutes to get into system but only lasts 10-20 minutes. Cocaine works on the reward pathway (Mesolimbic) & dopamine receptors. It releases additional...

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Biological Approach

Biological (physiological) Approach: Seeks to explain mental process & behaviour by focusing on the function of the nervous system at the cellular and structural level. Theorists in the bio study behavioural genomics consider how genes affect behaviour. Factors...

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Nature Vs Nurture

NATURE: This side of the debate has its roots in nativist philosophy, BIO & evolutionary theory. Believes that behaviour is caused by genetic determinism, inherited influences, maturational blueprint, neurochemical & hormonal influences and Brain activity....

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