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"