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Content:
- Biological Level of Analysis
- Cognitive Level of Analysis
- Socio-cultural Level of Analysis
- Research methods and Ethics
This study guide is structured to help you answer exam questions, it
covers all the points on the syllabus, good luck!
Remember!
You only need to explain 2 or 3 studies + an evaluation for ESSAY QUESTIONS
For short answer questions, only talk about 1 study and DO NOT EVALUATE IT!
Biological Level of Analysis
FYI = I refer to the subjects/participants of studies as 'Ss' and researchers as 'Rs'
1. The use of one research method in one study of the brain and
behavior.
Research method: Quasi-experiment
➢ IV/allocation into groups is done on the basis of pre-existing
differences and DV measured; researchers cannot be sure that
the groups are equivalent in all other characteristics,
cause-effect inferences therefore cannot be made
Supporting Study
➢ Maguire et al (2000): taxi drivers
○ Found correlation between taxi-driving occupation (IV)
and grey matter distribution in the hippocampus (DV):
taxi drivers had increased grey matter in the posterior
hippocampus vs control group, who had increased grey
matter volume in the anterior hippocampus; positive
correlation between number of years of taxi-driving
experience and grey matter volume in the posterior
hippocampus
2. Explain the use of one research method in one study of hormones
or pheromones and behavior.
Research method: Quasi-experiment
➢ IV/allocation into groups is done on the basis of pre-existing
differences and DV measured; researchers cannot be sure that
the groups are equivalent in all other characteristics,
cause-effect inferences therefore cannot be made
Supporting study
➢ Wedekind et al (1995): sweaty T-shirts
○ Found a positive correlation between MHC dissimilarity (IV)
and pleasantness (DV) among women not taking oral
contraceptives: women (T=49) not taking oral contraceptives
found odor of MHC-dissimilar men more pleasant than that of
MHC-similar men
3. Explain the use of one research method in one study of genetics
and behavior.
Research method:
➢ Correlational study
○ Two or more variables are measured and the relationship
between them is mathematically quantified; since no
variable is manipulated by the researcher, cause-effect
inferences cannot be made
Supporting study:
➢ Bouchard and McGue (1981): Minnesota twins
○ Meta-analysis of 111 twin studies found correlation between
genetic similarity and IQ similarity
4. Explain one ethical consideration relevant to one study of the
brain and behavior
Ethical consideration:
➢ Informed consent
○ Participation in the study must be voluntary and fully
informed
Supporting Study:
➢ Milner (1968): HM
○ Lobotomy of the temporal lobe led to HM’s partial
retrograde amnesia (inability to recall recent past) and
anterograde amnesia (inability to create new memories)
for episodic and semantic memories; however,
■ 1) HM could not remember giving consent,
■ 2) he was asked to give consent throughout the
experiment even though he may not have understood
study proceedings, and
■ 3) consent was given by his mother and later
caretakers; because of this, HM may not have been
able to take advantage of his right to withdraw
5. Explain one ethical consideration relevant to one study of
hormones or pheromones and behavior.
Ethical consideration:
➢ Deception Not revealing the true aim/other important aspects
of the study to minimize demand characteristics (e.g. giving a
placebo); should be discussed in debriefing
Research method:
➢ Kosfeld et al (2005): oxytocin and trustworthiness
➢ Participants were given either an oxytocin spray or a placebo
spray and asked to play a game involving transferring money;
participant 1’s sent 17% more money than control subjects after
inhaling oxytocin, and participant 2’s with the highest oxytocin
blood levels returned the most money
6. Explain one ethical consideration relevant to one study of
genetics and behavior.
Ethical consideration:
➢ Social implications
○ Study conclusions may be distorted by the media; if they
become popular, they are resistant to change and may
affect public policies, e.g. education
Study:
➢ Bouchard and McGue (1981):
➢ Minnesota twins
○ Meta-analysis of 111 twin studies found correlation between
genetic similarity and IQ similarity; may lead to assumption
of genes-IQ determinism and negative change in education
policies
7. Explain one technique used to study the brain in relation to
behavior.
Outlining the technique: MRI scanning
● For a long time, brain research was limited to conducting
post-mortem autopsies on patients with unusual behavioral
deviations (e.g. Broca’s and Wernicke’s patients)
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