important things

Question 1

neurotransmitters

Answer 1

1. neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neutrons and other cells, like muscles or glands. They are pivotal for communication in the nervous system and fulfil a wide range of functions, and are integral in shaping everyday life functions. One such neurotransmitter is dopamine, which s responsible for motivation and the reward system, associated with pleasure.

Question 2

antagonists

Answer 2

2. antagonists are chemical substances that inhibit the action of another substance. they work by binding to the sites of the receptor, without generating any cellular response, blocking the receptor. This prevents agonists from binding and triggering their usual effects. One such example is ecopipam, the antagonist for dopamine, neurotransmitter responsible for euphoria, reward and motivation.

Question 3

agonists

Answer 3

3. agonists are chemical substances that binds to a receptor on a cell, activating it and triggering a biological response. They can be either natural substances, such as hormones or synthetic drugs that mimic the action of natural substances. One such example is SSRI’s, indirect agonists that increase. the availability of serotonin in the synapse by blocking its reuptake, so that it can bind to receptors.

Question 4

hormones

Answer 4

4. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by the body to maintain and regulate a number of bodily functions and behaviours. Testosterone is a sex hormone, vital for performing various roles in the body of men, such as the production of red blood cells, sperm, and regulating libido. In excess, it is often associated with promoting aggressive behaviours…

Question 5

pheromones

Answer 5

5. Pheromones are chemical signals released by an organism that trigger specific reactions in other individuals of the same species. They act like hormones, that work outside of the body, and affect the behaviour of the receiving individual. Sex pheromones are hypothesised to bring males and females together, for the purpose of mating

Question 6

neuroplasticity

Answer 6

6. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to absorb new information and evolve, as a result of the environment. The ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganisation, as a result of environmental stimulation

Question 7

neural networks

Answer 7

7. Neural networks refer to the neurons, passing information received from our senses, being arranged together to form a network

Question 8

neural pruning // synaptic pruning

Answer 8

8. Neural pruning, also known as synaptic pruning refers to the process carried out by the brain as a means of increasing its operational efficiency. It involves eliminating redundant synapses and neurons that are no longer being employed, that are no longer necessary

Question 9

fmri

Answer 9

9. fmri (functional magnetic resonance imaging) is a neuroimagining technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. It helps identify which areas of the brain are involved in different cognitive functions or processes. one experiment which used functional magnetic resonance imaging is Fischer 2005. In particular, it was employed as a means of investigating whether dopamine is involved in the early stages of romantic love. VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA & CAUDATE NUCLEOUS// midbrain and near the thalamus (above the midbrain)

Question 10

multi store memory model

Answer 10

10. The multi store memory model is a representation of memory, proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin. According ti it, memory is composed of 3 separate stores, the sensory register, short term memory and long term memory. Each store has its own characteristics, a different duration and coding. Information flows respectively from one store to the other

Question 11

working memory model

Answer 11

12. The working memory model, proposed by Baddley and Hitch is a developed version of Atkinson and Shifrin’s multi store memory model. It maintains that 3 stores composition, however it argues that short term memory is not a unitary store, but a complex system with multiple components that maintain different types of information. Phonological loop is responsible for auditory information, visuospatial sketchpad for visual and spatial, the episodic buffer integrates the information from the other components and ensures cooperation within systems. finally, the central executive is responsible for coordinating the other components and sorting information.

Question 12

localisation of function

Answer 12

13. Localisation of function is the concept that specific brain regions are responsible for particular cognitive or bahavioral functions. It proposes that different areas of the brain have specialised roles and functions. For example, the mid temporal lobe is responsible for memory.

Question 13

true // lab experiment

Answer 13

14. true // lab experiment is conducted in a lab setting, where the researchers are in control of all the variables. Furthermore, it involves ar least two conditions, a dependant and independent variable. Therefore, it allows to establish a cause and effect relationship between manipulation of iv on dv. it is based on a hypothesis that predicts a relationship between the two variables. Mist often it involves random allocation o participants to the experimental and control groups.

Question 14

reconstructive memory

Answer 14

15. reconstructive memory suggests that while recalling a certain situation or thing, we do not retrieve a perfect copy of what happened but rather reconstruct it based on our existing knowledge, expectations and beliefs which may cause us to potentially omit or add details. It distorts our memories and promotes inaccuracies. Two studies that illustrated that are Brewer and Treyens 1981 and Loftus and Palmer.

Question 15

schema theory

Answer 15

16. schema theory proposed by J.piaget states that people have schemas, which are cognitive frameworks, sets of pre existing ideas, beliefs and concept an individual has. Those help us interpret and organise new information and make sense of our environment.

Question 16

cognitive biases

Answer 16

17. biases are defined as consistent, but inaccurate patterns of thought. They are often dependant on heuristics, mental shortcuts that allow for decisions with quick judgments. there are various cognitive biases. Two of them are anchoring bias and illusory correlation.

Question 17

stereoypes

Answer 17

18. stereotypes are a type of categorisation, they refer to social perception of an individual in terms of group membership or physical attributes. It is a generalisation made about a group, and then attributed to its members. Hamilton and Gifford argue that they are a result of an illusory correlation, then people see a relationship between two variables even if there isn’t one.

Question 18

emotion on cognition

Answer 18

19. EMOTION ON COGNITION - Cognition refers to mental processes and what effect they have on behaviour. One theory of how emotion may affect the cognitive process of memory is FLASHBULB MEMORY (FBM) suggested by Brown & Kulik (1977).It proposes a special kind of emotional memory, which refers to particularly vivid and detailed memories of highly emotional events that appear to be recoded in our brain as though with the help of a camera’s flash. It was first illustrated in Brown and Kulik’s study

Question 19

social identity theory

Answer 19

20. social identity theory proposes that individuals derive a significant part of their identity from their group memberships and being a part of certain in-groups. those influence their beliefs, attitudes and perceptions.

Question 20

social cognitive theory

Answer 20

21. social cognitive theory, proposed by bandura suggests that individuals learn and integrate certain behaviours as a result of observing them in others and imitating them. According to bandura learning and behaviour are influenced by a dynamic relationship between personal factors and the environment

Question 21

culture and behaviour

Answer 21

22. culture and behaviour - the term culture refers to the shared values and beliefs, passed on from one generation to the other that distinguish one group of people from oamonether

Question 22

cultural dimensions

Answer 22

23. cultural dimensions are key aspects that help understand how different cultures are different from each other and how those variations impact their beliefs, values and behaviour. 1 dimension from Hofstedes dimensions theory is individualism vs. collectivism. an individualist culture values independence, self reliance and unique personal expression, while a collectivistic culture prioritises interdependence and shared goals. individuals are seen as a part of a larger social unit and their behaviours are influenced strongly by group affiliations

Question 23

enculturation

Answer 23

the process of learning and internalising the values, norms, behaviours and beliefs of one’s culture

Question 24

aculturation

Answer 24

25. aculturation - the process of cultural exchange, when people from different cultures come into sustained contact and learn about the values, behaviours and beliefs of each other’s cultures

Question 25

ethical considerations in fischer et al 2005

Answer 25

informed consent [informed consent fulfils a pivotal role in psychological reserch as it informs the participants about the procedure of the experiment, ensuring they are aware of and understand the research they are to participate it. this allows the participants to make a truly informed decision regarding whether they want to participate. also ensures that they know that they have the right to withdraw from the study at any given moment and their data will not be included.