Vocab
A chemical messenger that carries signals between neurons
Neurotransmitter
Name and describe one study that can be used for Neuroplasticity
Maguire
Crockett is used to study this Neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and apetite.
Serotonin
Bouchard's twin study raised a few key ethical concerns. Name one
Twins raised apart creates many ethical issues for study.
What were the findings of Bouchard?
Intelligence is ~70% heritable - but environment matters too
The idea that specific areas of the brain are responsible for specific functions
Localization of Function
Name and describe one study that can be used for Neurotransmitters
Crockett, Antonova
In Maguire's study, what changes did the taxi drivers experience, and why?
A larger posterior hippocampus due to having to navigate the city for work.
Why can't Maguire prove that taxi driving caused hippocampal differences?
Correlational Research (does not have clear cause/effect)
Explain how Draganski supports Neural Pruning
Draganski measured participants brains using MRI through multiple steps. Participant gray matter density was lower when juggling stopped.
The brain's ability to change in response to experience or damage
Neuroplasticity
Name and describe one study that can be used for genetics and behavior
Bouchard, Kendler
In Kosfeld, what was being tested?
This neurotransmitter is directly linked memory formation, among other things
Acetylcholine
What is a major limitation of Maguire in the study of Neuroplasticiy?
They did not scan the brain before, so they have no way of knowing the cause - individuals with larger hippocampi may have been more successful taxi drivers
A chemical messenger released by glands into the bloodstream that can affect behavior
Hormone
Name and describe one study that can be used for genetics and the environment
Caspi
What were the participants in Antonova asked to do after recieving the antagonist (scopolamine)
Navigate a VR maze
In Crockett, increased serotonin was linked to participants being less willing to do what?
Personally harm others/accept harmful choices
Explain how Curtis' findings changed depending on the demographic.
Women more disgusted than men (due to having to birth children?)
Disgust lower with age
A drug or chemical that increases the effect of a neurotrasmitter
Agonist
Name and describe one study that can be used for Pheromones
Lundstrom & Olsson, Wedekind
In Caspi, individuals with this version of the gene were the most vulnerable to depression when facing life events
2 Short Alleles
Name and explain an important ethical concern that may apply to Lundstrom & Olsson's experiment
Informed consent/possible discomfort/right to withdraw
"Caspi proves depression is genetic"
Explain why this statement is not accurate
Caspi shows that genes may increase vulnerability, but the environment is also a major factor. Study supports gene-environment interactions