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Katerina Contreras
2022
Psychology
Mocks and May Finals
BIOLOGICAL
BIOLOGICAL SAQ STUDIES
1. Radke et al.
Aim:
· To investigate the relationships between perceiving a social threat,
testosterone, and the amygdala.
Hypothesis:
· That the amygdala isn’t just involved in the perception of the threat, but the
effect of motivation to deal with the threat is an important aspect to consider.
Methodology:
· Half of the participants (54 healthy females) given a small dose of testosterone
· The other half was given a placebo
· Shown pictures of angry or happy faces while participants laid down in an fMRI
scanner.
- For every picture, the participants had to avoid or approach the
face by using a joystick (would appear larger (approach) or
smaller (avoid))
Results:
· Suggest that testosterone works by increasing the activation of the amygdala
when we are motivated to retaliate to a social threat (which prepares our body
physically for that defence).
· The group with testosterone had more activation in their amygdala when they
were approaching angry faces when told to do so than when they approached
happy faces.
· There wasn’t a significant difference in the activation of the prefrontal cortex
across groups.
Applications:
· If we have high levels of testosterone, perhaps we won’t necessarily react
aggressively when we’re threatened because we’ll be able to regulate that
emotional reaction and we’ll be able to think through our decisions. However,
individuals with existing damage or low functioning of the prefrontal cortex may
not be able to do so, which could explain why studies have shown low
prefrontal cortex activity and high levels of testosterone in prison populations.
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Ethical considerations:
· Informed consent (because they were being given testosterone and asked to
be inside an fMRI machine which could cause claustrophobia)
· Debriefing (due to the administration of testosterone)
· Confidentiality (each filming of a brain scan should be confidential to the
researchers and participant)
Research method:
· True lab experiment (explain how and why researchers use this type of
research method)
2. Bechara et al.
Game:
· Four decks of cards
· Two have a high short-term reward, long-term losses
· Two have low short-term rewards, better long term gains
· 100 trials
· Participants select
· After about 20 or 30 trials most people (adults) find a pattern and play the safe
option.
Methods of the experiment:
· Compared 8 people with vmPFC lesions and 17 healthy controls
· Gave them the Iowa Gambling Task
· Participants with vmPFC more likely to take the risk; didn’t identify the pattern
3. Luby et al.
a.
Aim:
· To investigate whether income to needs ratio experienced in early childhood
impacts brain development at school age and to explore the mediators of this
effect.
Methodology:
· Longitudinal study:
- 145 children, 3-6 year old, right-handed.
- Children were assessed annually for 10 years prior to the time of an MRI
scan:
- Evaluated on psychosocial, behavioural and other developmental
dimensions.
Results:
· Children from poorer areas tend to have less volume in their hippocampus and
amygdala.
Downloaded by: katerinacontreras | Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal $103 per month?
Katerina Contreras
2022
Psychology
Mocks and May Finals
BIOLOGICAL
BIOLOGICAL SAQ STUDIES
1. Radke et al.
Aim:
· To investigate the relationships between perceiving a social threat,
testosterone, and the amygdala.
Hypothesis:
· That the amygdala isn’t just involved in the perception of the threat, but the
effect of motivation to deal with the threat is an important aspect to consider.
Methodology:
· Half of the participants (54 healthy females) given a small dose of testosterone
· The other half was given a placebo
· Shown pictures of angry or happy faces while participants laid down in an fMRI
scanner.
- For every picture, the participants had to avoid or approach the
face by using a joystick (would appear larger (approach) or
smaller (avoid))
Results:
· Suggest that testosterone works by increasing the activation of the amygdala
when we are motivated to retaliate to a social threat (which prepares our body
physically for that defence).
· The group with testosterone had more activation in their amygdala when they
were approaching angry faces when told to do so than when they approached
happy faces.
· There wasn’t a significant difference in the activation of the prefrontal cortex
across groups.
Applications:
· If we have high levels of testosterone, perhaps we won’t necessarily react
aggressively when we’re threatened because we’ll be able to regulate that
emotional reaction and we’ll be able to think through our decisions. However,
individuals with existing damage or low functioning of the prefrontal cortex may
not be able to do so, which could explain why studies have shown low
prefrontal cortex activity and high levels of testosterone in prison populations.
Downloaded by: katerinacontreras | Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal $103 per month?
, Stuvia.com - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
Ethical considerations:
· Informed consent (because they were being given testosterone and asked to
be inside an fMRI machine which could cause claustrophobia)
· Debriefing (due to the administration of testosterone)
· Confidentiality (each filming of a brain scan should be confidential to the
researchers and participant)
Research method:
· True lab experiment (explain how and why researchers use this type of
research method)
2. Bechara et al.
Game:
· Four decks of cards
· Two have a high short-term reward, long-term losses
· Two have low short-term rewards, better long term gains
· 100 trials
· Participants select
· After about 20 or 30 trials most people (adults) find a pattern and play the safe
option.
Methods of the experiment:
· Compared 8 people with vmPFC lesions and 17 healthy controls
· Gave them the Iowa Gambling Task
· Participants with vmPFC more likely to take the risk; didn’t identify the pattern
3. Luby et al.
a.
Aim:
· To investigate whether income to needs ratio experienced in early childhood
impacts brain development at school age and to explore the mediators of this
effect.
Methodology:
· Longitudinal study:
- 145 children, 3-6 year old, right-handed.
- Children were assessed annually for 10 years prior to the time of an MRI
scan:
- Evaluated on psychosocial, behavioural and other developmental
dimensions.
Results:
· Children from poorer areas tend to have less volume in their hippocampus and
amygdala.
Downloaded by: katerinacontreras | Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal $103 per month?
