Technologies used to study brain and behaviour
Name at least 3 different technologies that can be used to study brain and behaviour.
MRI
fMRI
PET
EEG
CT
How may adolescent brain differ from adult brain in terms of decision making?
PFC is the last part that is developing during adolescence. Because of it, adolescents may be more likely to do impulsive decisions.
What was the design and type of experiment of London taxi driver's study (Maguire, 2000)?
Independent samples design
Quasi-experiment
Name at least 5 of 6 basic emotions according to Eckman theory.
Happiness
Fear
Anger
Disgust
Sadness
Surprise
Show at least two dance steps that you will dance on the ball.
Ok, good job :)
Maybe...
What are two types of resolution in imagining technologies? Name and explain.
Spatial - how close can we look
Temporal - how fast can we record
We cannot have both...
Explain dual process model of decision making (Kahnemann, Tversky).
Eg.
There are two systems of processing informations, fast, automatic (system 1) and slow, rational (system 2). We can make different decisions according to which type of processing we use.
Describe general method of rat studies on neuroplasticity.
Several conditions, e.g.
1: Rats with other rats and lot of stimulation
2: Rat alone with lot of stimulation
3: Rat alone in cage without stimulation
Comparing brain of the rats in each group
What may be associated functions of amygdala? Name at least 2.
Fear processing
Emotion processing
Learning
Triggering fight-flight response
Reward processing
...
What is p-value?
= probability that we will get these results if null hypothesis is true
Or
How probably it‘s that I will get this result randomly if everybody are plus minus the same?
How does PET work?
What are its pros and cons?
Injecting radioactive glucose into patient‘s body -> Scanner detects gamma rays emmited by the substance
+ can measure activity, good temporal resolution
- measures activity indirectly, substance is usually lost quickly - new dose is needed
Describe Marshmallow paradigm studies and concept of delayed gratification (originally Mischel, 1972).
Delayed gratification - ability to postpone immediate gratification (eg eating marshmallow immediately)
Marshmallow paradigm is experimental paradigm in which children is presented with Marshmallow (if you don't eat it now and wait, you will get second). Follow-up studies found that success in this paradigm correlated with later school success.
What are basic processes of neuroplasticity? Name 3 of them and briefly define them.
Neurogenesis
Synaptic/neural prunning
Dendritic branching
To what extent is stress good or bad?
Name at least one reason for:
- Stress is good
- Stress is bad
Depends...
E.g.
Short-term stress activates fight-flight response which help us to deal with the threatening situation
on the other hand Chronic stress suppresses digestion and immune system, leading to disease in the long-term
To what extent can animal studies be generalised to humans?
Present at least 1 valid argument for each side of the debate.
E.g. (it depends...)
It can be generalised quite a lot, because a lot of biological functions are very similar in humans and other animals.
It cannot be generalised too much, because context of society interacts with biological factors too much.
How does MRI and fMRI work?
What are its pros and cons?
Combination of magnetic field and emitting radio waves on particular frequencies in particular intervals
In order to do fMRI, first MRI needs to be done. Then fMRI measures oxygenated haemoglobin
+ non invasive, precise
- expensive, even small movements can distort image, using fMRI in behavioural study usually low ecological validity
Describe Iowa gambling task paradigm.
Is based on short-term high gains and high loss compared to short-term low gain, but low loss.
There are usually 4 decks of cards. 2 are high gains, high loss and 2 are low gains, low loss. Usually people recognise that it's better in long term to take cards from low gains deck. But certain groups of people do not find this out.
What are the possibilities to study neuroplasticity in humans? Name at least 2 examples.
E.g. Comparing brain of the groups with specific training (e.g. London taxi drivers, jugglers, meditating monks) and control
Comparing brain of people with experience of neglect/abuse and control group
Etc.
Note: All of these are quasi-experiments
Describe SM Case study.
Who was SM? What were the three tasks that she was tested with in the case study? What are possible conclusions of this case study? Why it may not be generalisable to general population?
Description of SM case study :)
Patient with genetically inherited dysfunctional amygdala.
3 tasks: snake petting, haunted house, watching horror movies
Conclusion: Amygdala is associated with fear, fear is important for survival (SM had potential problems because of lack of fear)
Describe at least 2 animal studies that were studying effect of biological factors on behaviour.
Whatever (if it's right :) Eg.
Neuroplasticity rat studies (e.g. Rosenzweig, Bennett, 1972)
Bilateral amygdala lesion studies with monkeys (Weisnekratz, 1956)
...
Describe two studies, each using different technology to study behaviour.
Can be whatever (if it's right :) E.g.
Structural MRI - London taxi drivers and their hippocampus (Maguire, 2000)
PET - Brain activity of murderers and controls (Raine, 1997)
...
Explain on an example of one study how Iowa gambling task paradigm may be used in research.
E.g. Bechara, 2000 study compared performance in Iowa gambling task between patients with damaged PFC and healthy controls. This may help researchers draw suggestion about PFC function.
Name at least two functions of these brain structures and one example how one of these structures can be changed due to neuroplasticity effects:
Prefrontal cortex (PFC)
Amygdala
Hippocampus
PFC - decision making, thinking, emotion regulation
Amygdala - fear processing, learning, activation of fight-flight response
Hippocampus - spatial memory, transfer from short-term to long-term memory
Neuroplasticity changes e.g.
Meditation, relaxation, mindfulness training can change reactivity of amygdala
Specific training for spatial tasks (e.g. London taxi drivers) can change structure of hippocampus
School can develop your PFC :)
Draw diagram of activation of Fight-Flight stress response.
Correct diagram of stress response :)
Needs to have: Perception of threat, activation of amygdala, hypothalamus activation, HPA axis, stimulation of sympathetic nervous system, release of hormones (adrenaline (epinephrine), glucocorticoids (e.g.cortisol)), fight-flight response effects (e.g. increase in blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, suppression of digestion, immune system)
Draw normal distribution curve
State: average (100), standard deviations(SD), approximate percentage of population within 1SD and 2SD
AVG:100
SD:15
68% of population within 1SD
95% of population within 2SD
Correct drawing :)