Explain how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be

demonstrated in research through theories and/or studies.

Luke Hinson, Kyle Touchton and Robbie Quinlan

● This essay will give a summary of the main principles of Biological Level of Analysis (BLA), along with research that support this level of analysis.

● BLA states that all cognitions, emotions, and behaviors have a physiological basis. There are three key principles of BLA● 1.) Emotions and behaviors are products of the anatomy and physiology of the

nervous and endocrine systems.● 2.) Animal research may inform our understanding of human behavior.● 3.) Patterns of behavior can be inherited; behavior is innate because it is

genetically based

(These principles are correct but they are not the ones that Mrs. Cook teaches)

Introduction

● The aim of the experiment was to test (using PET scans) if murderers who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) showed evidence of brain abnormalities.

● Results:o Lack of inhibition of violent behavioro Fearlessnesso Failure to learn consequences for violence

First Study: Raine et al. (1997)

● Principle represented: o Emotions and behaviors are products of the anatomy and

physiology of the nervous and endocrine systems.● Connection to Principle:

o This study supports the idea that there are biological correlates of behavior because it was shown that there was a correlation between the behavior of aggression and physiology of the brain.

First Study: Raine et al. (1997)

● The aim of this experiment was to test the effects of testosterone in roosters.

● Results:o Castrated roosters were less masculine, and less

aggressive.o The roosters that reacquired testicles behaved like normal

roosters again

Second Study: Berthold (1849)

● Principle Represented:o Animal research can provide insight into human behavior

● Connection to principle:o Berthold’s study demonstrates the principle of the BLA

because inferences were made to humans from roosters about the effect of testosterone on behavior to inform our understanding of aggression (in humans).

Second Study: Berthold (1849)

● The studies above demonstrate the three key principles of BLA

● These principles guide studies from Biological perspective● Holistically, Cognitive, Socio-Cultural and Biological level of

analysis, are take into account to draw conclusions on influences in human behavior.

Conclusion

Biological Level of Analysis

Examine one study related to localization of function of the brain.

 

Power point by:Sydney Taylor and brenna Sifford

#1: define localization of function

Localization of function: theory that certain areas of the brain correspond to certain functions; in that specific areas of the brain control different functions carried out by the brain.

#2: Introduce areas of the brain

Frontal lobe: thinking, problem-solving, emotions, personalityMotor Cortex: movement Sensory Cortex: sensationsWernicke's Area: interprets auditory codeParietal Lobe: perception, making sense of the worldAngular Gyrus: visual into auditory codeOccipital Lobe: visionVisual Cortex: receives written words as visual simulationCerebellum: processing sensory info., coordination/balanceTemporal Lobe: memory, understanding language

#2:continued

Brain Stem: responsible for automatic survival functionsBroca's Area: controls speech muscles

#3:discuss chosen study

Milner & Scoville (1957)

Milner & Scoville (1957)

Background: ● H.M fell off his bicycle at 9, resulting in brain damage. ● Epileptic seizures (uncontrollable jerks or momentary

loss of awareness) started at 10 ● More severe seizures began happening at 16 ● Drugs failed to control seizures ● At age 27 (1953) H.M had brain surgery to control his

epilepsy and to stop seizures. ● He had a bilateral medial temporal lobectomy.

o They removed tissue from the temporal lobe, including the hippocampus.

● H.M. was studied extensively for 40 years.

Milner and Scoville (1957)Results:

● After the operation, HM had anterograde amnesia (unable to create new memories) o Nothing could be stored in his long-term memory

(LTM). ● Childhood memories were intact ● Memories immediately before the operation were lost. ● Working memory was intact. ● MRI Scan Results (1997)

o Brain damage was pervasive and included the hippocampus, the amygdala, and other areas close to the hippocampus.

Conclusion:

● The hippocampus is needed for memories to be transferred to long-term memory.

#4: Conclusion

This is taken as evidence that the brain has multiple memory systems that are supported by distinct brain functions.

Examine one evolutionary explanation

of behavior Aliah Price and Angelica Wilson

Introduction

Define evolution: the changing in the inherited traits of a species over time. Explain the principle of evolution with behavior: ● Assumed that a predisposition is inherited through genetics ● Behavior helped in the past for human survival and reproduction ● Described as adaptive

Body

Introduce the topic to the reader or your paper● Fessler et al 2006

Fessler et al. 2006

Aim:● Disgust helps to compensate for the suppressed immune

system Method:● 496 healthy pregnant women ages 18-50 rank 32 disgusting

situations ● Asked questions to see if they were experiencing morning

sickness

Fessler et al. 2006

Results:● Women in first trimester scored higher in disgust that in second and

third● Morning sickness responses only applied to the situations involving

foodConclusion:● Natural selection helped human ancestors be pickier with food to

compensate ● Being picky with food can help avoid diseases passed to babies

/unborn offspring

Fessler et al. 2006

Connect the study to the question ● This study supports that disgust may be evolutionary in

how it might assist protection of disease amongst offspring ● Giving them a greater chance of surviving ● This study supports the aid in disgust in reproduction,

dubbing it an evolutionary behavior

  

EXAMINE ONE INTERACTION BETWEEN COGNITION AND PHYSIOLOGY ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR

MaKaila WallaceZaida Hall

Cognition/ Cognitive Neuroscience

▪ Investigates how various brain areas are involved in cognition. Example: how brain damage affects memory.

▪ Recently attention has been focused on how cognition and physiological processes interact in people who meditate. They are interested in how mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may effect brain functions; specifically, they look at the effect of meditation on attention, emotional reactivity, and stress

Davidson et al., 2004

▪ Aim: to investigate whether meditation can change brain activity

▪ Interaction: Brain waves and Compassion▪ Procedure: Used 8 monks used to meditating

and control group of 10 students with one week of meditation training. Based on principle that cognitive activities such as meditation produce electrical activity when they fire. Participants asked to meditate on "unconditional compassion" to open the mind for feelings of love and compassion for short periodsThe control group participated in a training session, and were asked to think of someone they cared about, to let their mind be invaded by love and compassion.

Davidson et al., 2004

▪ Results: ▫ The EEG of monks showed greater

activation, organization, and coordination of gamma waves. There was a positive correlation between the hours of practice and the level of gamma rays associated with bliss and heightened sense of consciousness.

Examine one interaction between cognition and physiology on human behavior▪ Results support idea that attention and

affective processes are skills that can be trained, but more research is needed to establish if changes in brain waves is caused by hours of training, and not individual differences before training