Biological approach

Hormones and Pheromones

The brain and behavior

Genetics and behaviour

Localization

Neuroplasticity

Techniques that study the brain

Neurotransmitters

Pheromones

Hormones

A hormone is a chemical substance produced in the endocrine system and transported through the bloodstream to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.


Chemicals that allow communication among members of the same species.

A chemical substance made by neurons that transmits messages, enabling communication between neurons.

The development of neural networks through repetition and neural pruning is both genetic and subject to environmental influences

Localization of function is the theory that specific parts of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours or cognitive processes

fMRI

MRI

An MRI is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to map the activity of hydrogen molecules within the brain and ultimately form a picture of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the brain.


Functional magnetic resonance imaging, measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.

Studies:

Roger and Kesner

Crokett et al

Studies:

Draganski et al

Maguire

Studies:

Maguire

Sharot et al

Studies:

Baumgartner et al

Sharot et al

Studies:

Maguire

Studies:

Hare et al

Lundstrom et olson

Zhou et al

Studies:

Newcomer et al

Baumgartner et al

Romero et al

Animal Studies

Genetic similarity

Genes and behaviour

Evolutionary explanations for behaviour

Studies:

Kendler et al

Caspi et al

Studies:

Kendler et al

Bailer and Pillard

Scar and Weinberg

Studies:

Curtis, Aunger and Rabie

Fesser et al

Studies:

Romero et al

Weaver et al

Roger and Kesner

studies such as twin studies and family studies study the similarities between genes of people who are related.

Genes are segments of DNA the store genetic information

Genetics is the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Evolution is the process by which organisms change from generation to generation as a result of a change in heritable characteristics.

Twin studies:

mono zygotic twins develop from the same egg therefore share 100% of genotype.

Di zygotic twins develop from different eggs therefore share 50% of genotype that same as regular siblings.

Animals are used because they are similar to humans both genetically and physiologically. they also breed faster than humans. they age faster and they can be used for procedures that are seen as unethical for humans

Criticisms for evolutionary explanations

Mass modularity

Speculations about the environment

Testability

Evolutionary adaptation is always adapted to a certain environment.

The environment has changed over time therefore some behaviours may have been different due to the environment being different.

States that mind consists of modules that have evolved to perform certain fitness- related functions. however, neuroplasticity contradicts this assumption.

Many cases are impossible to test, based on 'ad hoc reasoning' which takes a phenomenon as it exists and 'cooks' an unverifiable story about how it came to be.

Cultural variation

Existing cultural variations in traits are not entirely compatible with the idea that these traits developed as a universal adaption to the universal challenged that humans faced as a species.

Assumptions about linearity of development.

• Evolutionary explanations have no other choice but to assume that a trait has been gradually evolving to perform a certain function.

Disgust is a feeling were most opten pergnant women experience disgust, food adversion, nausea and vomiting. Disgust is the bodies response to protect them against possible illness or disease.

For some social insects pheromones are only form of communication.

Pheromones also play a role in mating behavior of mammals.

Cortisol

Produced by the adrenal gland, and it energizes the body by increasing blood sugar and metabolism. it also plays a role in stress.

Oxytocin

Produced by the hypothalamus and secreted by the posterior lobe, Oxytocin plays a role in mother-child attachment, as well as social bonding and trust between people. also known as the "cuddle hormone"