IB Psychology HL

2.7 Discuss the use of brain-imaging technologies in investigating the relationship between biological factors and behaviour. Brain-imaging techniques are used in neuroscience to investigate the relationship between behaviour and brain structures, for example after brain damage or to find out which areas of the brain are involved in which cognitive activities (cognitive neuroscience). Brain-imaging technology s a promising way to investigate the possible relationship between biological factors and behaviour, but so far scanning can merely register structures and activity in the brain. It is not possible to determine cause-effect relationships at this point. MRI scan: magnetic resonance imaging MRI scans can give detailed pictures of internal structures in the body. The body consists, to a large extent, of water molecules. In the MRI scanner, a radio frequency transmitter is turned on and it produces an electromagnetic field. Strengths: MRI scans are particularly useful to ...

2.6 Examine one interaction between cognition and physiology in terms of behaviour. Evaluate two relevant studies. Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of biological correlates of mental processes (cognition). This area of research investigates how various brain areas are involved in cognitive processes (e.g. how brain damage affects memory), but in recent years researchers have also investigated how cognition and physiological processes may interact in people who meditate. A number of neuroscientists are examining how meditation or mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may influence brain functions (e.g. the effect of meditation on attention, emotional reactivity and stress). Interaction of cognition and physiology can be seen in the self-regulation of attention which seems to have physiological benefits (e.g. stress reduction). Davidson et al. (2004) Aim: To investigate whether meditation can change brain activity Procedure: Eight monks who had practised ...

2.4 Explain, using examples, the function of two hormones on human behaviour Cortisol and memory Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex in response to stress and to restore homeostasis. Chronic stress may result in prolonged cortisol secretion and this can lead to physiological changes such as damaged immune system and impairment of learning and memory. This is because high amounts of cortisol results in atrophy of the hippocampus (Sapolsky, 1996). Newcomer et al. (1999) Aim: To investigate whether high levels of the stress hormone cortisol interfere with verbal declarative memory. Method: It was a laboratory experiment. A self-selected sample (recruited through advertisement) of 51 normal and healthy people aged  18-30 was used. It was a randomized, controlled, double-blind experiment running for four days. All participants gave informed consent. Participants were split into three groups. Group 1 (high dose cortisol) had tablets containing 160 mg o...

2.5 Discuss two effects of the environment on physiological processes Effect 1: Environmental effects on dendritic branching (brain plasticity) Environmental stimulation refers to the way the environment provides stimulation in the form of social interaction and learning opportunities for animals and humans.Experiences are processed in the brain’s nervous system, and stimulating environments will it result in increased numbers of synapses (brain plasticity). Gopnick et al. (1999) describe neurons as growing telephone wires that communicate with each other. An enriched environment is characterized by multiple opportunities to learn new things.  researchers have used animal models to study synaptic changes in the brain because it is not possible to use humans and deprivation experiments. Instead researchers use case studies of children who have grown up in total neglect, i.e. with little or no experience of language, touch and interactions with other humans. The brains of negl...

2.3 Explain, using one or more examples, the effects of neurotransmission on human behaviour. When a nerve impulse reaches the end of the neuron, the neuron fires and neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic gap where they travel to the neuron at the other side of the synaptic gap. If the neurotransmitter is not absorbed it can be re-uptaken, diffused out or destroyed. The neurotransmitter then binds to specific receptors at the other side. If a neurotransmitter is blocked or replaced (e.g. because another chemical interferes) then the messages change. This affects the physiological system, cognition, mood, or behaviour. Dopamine Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in goal-directed behaviour (motivation) such as pleasure seeking, control of movement, emotional response, and addictive behaviour. Dopamine is released in the brain’s reward system. Dopamine is released in the brain’s reward system and has been associated with pleasure seeking and addictive behaviou...

2.1 Outline principles that define the biological level of analysis and explain how these principles may be demonstrated in research Principle 1 : There are biological correlates of behaviour. This means that there are physiological origins of behaviour such as neurotransmitters, hormones, specialized brain areas, and genes. The biological level of analysis is based on reductionism, which is the attempt to explain complex behaviour in terms of simple causes. Newcomer et al. (1999) Aim: To investigate whether high levels of the stress hormone cortisol interfere with verbal declarative memory. Method: It was a laboratory experiment. Participants were split into three groups. Group 1 (high dose cortisol) had tablets containing 160 mg of cortisol for four days. Group 2 (low dose cortisol) had tablets with 40 mg of cortisol for four days. Group 3 (control) had placebo tablets. Participants listened to a prose paragraph and had to recall it as a test of verbal declar...