Provides answers to all of the learning outcomes of the three levels of analysis in psychology (biological, cognitive, and sociocultural). Highly organized notes with hyperlinks and respective study (or studies) that aid in supporting the argument claim for each learning outcome.
BIOLOGICAL LEVEL OF ANALYSIS
● General learning outcomes
a. GLO1 Outline principles that define the Biological Level of Analysis
b. GLO2 Explain how principles that define the Biological Level of Analysis may be
demonstrated in research.
c. GLO3 Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the
biological level of analysis.
d. GLO4 Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the biological
level of analysis.
● Physiology and Behaviour
a. PB1 Explain one study related to localization of function in the brain.
b. PB2 Using one or more examples, explain the effects of neurotransmission on
human behaviour.
c. PB3 Using one or more examples, explain functions of two hormones in human
behaviour.
d. PB4 Discuss two effects of the environment on physiological processes.
e. PB5 Examine one interaction between cognition and physiology in terms of
behaviour.
f. PB6 Discuss the use of brain imaging technologies in investigating the
relationships between biological factors and behaviour.
● Genetics and Behaviour
a. GB1 With reference to relevant to research studies, to what extent does genetic
inheritance influence behaviour.
b. GB2 Examine one evolutionary explanation of behaviour
c. GB3 Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on
behaviour.
GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES (BLOA)
1. Outline principles that define the Biological Level of Analysis
a. Emotions and behaviors are products of the anatomy and physiology of the
nervous and endocrine system
i. Brain processes, neurotransmitters, hormones (localization of brain
functions)
ii. Study:
Kasamatsu & Hirai, 1999 - Monk Serotonin Study
1. Aim: Investigate how sensory deprivation affects the brain
2. Procedure: Studied a group of monks on a 72 hour pilgrimage
to a mountain, they were not allowed to drink, speak or eat
throughout the entire trip and were exposed to cold weather.
Their blood samples were taken before and after the pilgrimage
, 3. Findings: After 48 hours, the Monks started seeing
hallucinations of ancestors and feeling presences. The
researchers found an increased level of serotonin in the
hypothalamus and frontal cortex that results in hallucinations
4. Conclusion: Sensory deprivation -> serotonin -> responsible
for sleep, arousal level, and emotions.
b. Animal research may reveal insights about human behavior
i. Based on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. (Natural selection)
ii. Humans and animals share some similar anatomy and behavior
(monkeys, dogs, rats)
iii. Useful for testing treatments and effects
iv. Study:
Seligman, 1965 - Learned Helplessness Dog Study (Depression)
1. Aim: Prove that helplessness can lead to depression
2. Procedure: Dog was trapped in an area with electrodes on the
floor. Every time the dog would try to jump over the fence, the
researcher would raise the height of the fence until the dog can
no longer jump over. After a few trials, the wall was lowered
again.
3. Findings: Dog tried to jump over walls a few times but after
learning that it cannot do so, it stopped trying and let itself get
electrocuted even when the wall was lowered.
4. Conclusion: Learned that it was incapable -> helpless ->
lowers self-esteem -> depression
5. Evaluation: Unethical. Low ecological validity. Induce fear and
depression/Experiment was controlled
c. Patterns of behaviors can be inherited (genetically based)
i. All focus on specific areas of behavior and physiology
ii. Factors like cognition and environment also contributes to human
behavior
iii. Also based on evolution theory
iv. Study:
Money - Sex Change Case Study/David Reimer Study (1974)
1. Aim: Prove that nurture determine gender identity
2. Background: Bruce and Brian were twins. Bruce lost penis and
Dr. Money encouraged the parent to castrate him and raise him
as a daughter. His name was changed to Brenda and Money
claimed that Brenda had adapted to the role of female ->
supported his theory, but there are more beneath this.
3. Procedure: Did a study on David Reimer, who lost his penis in
a circumcision accident. Money suggested that the parent
change his sex and gender.
, 4. Findings: David displayed masculine behavior when grew up
and causes problems in school
5. Conclusion: Proves that psychosexual development is based
on chromosomes and hormones
6. Evaluation: Unethical (deception: did not reveal true motive),
no protection, no rights of withdraw. Milton Diamond supported:
did a study on hormones on fetus.
2. Explain how principles that define the Biological Level of Analysis may be
demonstrated in research.
a. Same thing as first question
b. Try to connect study to principle
3. Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the biological level
of analysis.
a. Research methods are used for psychologists to conduct their studies (collect
and analyze data)
b. 6 main research methods
i. Experiments
ii. Case studies
iii. Observational Studies
iv. Surveys/Questionnaires
v. Interviews
vi. Correlational Studies
c. Triangulation: can incorporate 2 or more research methods/samples…
i. Data/researcher/theoretical/methodological
d. Biases: Researcher bias/Observer Bias
i. Researcher bias: the researcher knows what they’re looking for and their
own judgments can affect the findings/interpretation in a study
ii. Observer bias: Participants while being observed can act
differently/unnaturally
iii. All of these affects the reliability of a study
e. Since BLOA looks as physiological processes, symptoms and disorders cannot
be directly observed
i. Thus, theories are tested using research methods (most common are
experiments and case studies)
f. Research Methods:
i. Experiment: Seligman’s helplessness dog study (1965)
1. Determine cause and effect (IV and DV)
2. Manipulate IV to measure DV while control extraneous variables
3. Quantitative and qualitative data
4. Types of experimental settings
a. Lab setting: can control variables, easy to replicate, high
validity, and eliminate factors/Hawthorne’s effect (a type of
observer bias), screw you effect, demand characteristics
b. Field setting: high ecological validity (representation of
, reality)/cannot control extraneous variables, not easy to
replicate
c. Quasi setting: high ecological validity, IV is naturally
occurring so it is used when the IV cannot be produced in
a lab setting/ cannot control variables, not easy to
replicate, low reliability/take a long time
5. Evaluation:
a. Strengths: can be repeated, reliable results, control
environment, cause-effect relationship, can be
generalized, data easily measured
b. Limitations: lab environment, can break ethical guidelines,
sometimes no control over variables, experiment biases.
ii. Case study: Money - Sex Change Study (1974) or
Milner and Scoville - The case study of HM (1957)
1. Aim: To study the role of the hippocampus in memory
2. Background: Studies HM who fell off his bicycle at 7 years old -
> had epileptic seizures at 10 -> prevent him from living a
normal life (drugs can’t control). HM had brain surgery and was
removed his hippocampus.
3. Procedure: Studied H.M. after his brain surgery for 40 years.
Scanned him with MRI scan
4. Findings: After operation, HM had anterograde amnesia
(cannot create new memories), working/childhood memories
were intact. MRI reveals that brain damage included
hippocampus, amygdala and other areas close to hippocampus.
5. Conclusion: Hippocampus is needed for converting STM ->
LTM.
6. Evaluation: Shows nature of hippocampus. Has studies
supporting it./There could have been researcher bias, cannot
generalize.
1. In-depth study of an individual or a small group
a. Can obtain unretrievable information from other research
methods
2. Qualitative and quantitative data
3. Can combine different research methods -> triangulation
4. Evaluation:
a. Strengths: rich data, study unusual psychological
phenomena, stimulate new research, obtain new
information
b. Limitations: takes a long time (longitudinal), researchers
can be subjective and biased when getting personal
(reflexivity), cannot be replicated, lacks population relativity
-> cannot be generalized
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