PowerPoint Presentation

BLOA from principles to practiceMon Oct 14th 2013 4 pm (HL) & 5pm (SL) GMT[Week 6]Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash1These are the learning outcomes for this lessonOutline principles that define the biological level of analysisExplain how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be demonstrated in research (through theories and/or studies)Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the biological level of analysisDr Cipinko and Dr Swash2SQ3R methodSQ3R stands for the steps in reading: survey (skim read), question, read, recite, review. It is a useful way to make sure that you really understand somethingLets try it now with the principles and methods of the BLOADr Cipinko and Dr Swash3BLOA principles survey/skim readBehaviour can be innate because it is genetically based

Animal research can provide insight into human behaviour

There are biological correlates of behaviourDr Cipinko and Dr Swash4BLOA principles question?Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based

Animal research can provide insight into human behaviour

There are biological correlates of behaviour

What does each of these mean, in your own words?

Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash5BLOA principles question?Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based

Animal research can provide insight into human behaviour

There are biological correlates of behaviour

What kind of method does each of these suggest? [For a start quantitative or qualitative?Then each one in particular?]

Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash6BLOA principles question?Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based

Animal research can provide insight into human behaviour

There are biological correlates of behaviour

Can you think of an example of a study for each of these methods?

Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash7BLOA principles read againBehaviour can be innate because it is genetically based, that is to say (which means) that how humans behave is inborn - it is inherited from their parents and grandparents. It is passed on in their genes. Possible method -correlational studies using twins , siblings or adopted children to measure the correlation found between them in a certain behaviour. Example: The Minnesota Twin Study, from 1979 onwards, reported by Bouchard et al. (1990), p54-55

Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash8Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash9BLOA principles recite and review (summary)

Charles Darwins Theory of Natural Selection (1859) and Evolutionary Psychology (Image source: http://darwinday.org/learn-more/about-evolution/)

BLOA principles read againAnimal research can provide insight into human behaviour, that is to say (which means) that the results from animal research can in many cases be used to make an argument about human behaviour, because many animals' brains and nervous systems are very similar to those of humans. Possible method - animal studies with the results generalised where possible to humans. Example: Martinez and Kesner (1991), p41

Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash10Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash11BLOA principles recite and review (summary)

Image source: www.animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/BLOA principles read againThere are biological correlates of behaviour, that is to say (which means) that when we do something or even think about something, within our brain and body, physical changes are taking place that we are often not aware of. [Neurotransmitter and hormone activity, especially] .Possible method - a study using one of the brain-scanning technologies (PET, CAT, EEG, MRI, fMRI as appropriate) to examine the brain activity of a person engaged in a certain activity. Example: Davidson (2004), p 47

Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash12Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash13BLOA principles recite and review (summary)

Images from wikimedia creative commons and Flickr creative commonsStrengths and limitations of the BLOA research methods.(See Quantitative and Experimental methods reading).StrengthsLimitationsWell-controlled lab experiments can suggest bidirectional relationship between brain activity and human behaviour. (See youtube films by Dr Ramachandran on mirror neurons, for example).Misleading - neuroimaging techniques can suggest stronger relationship between brain and behaviour (through their well-defined and colourful visuals) than is true.Can lead to breakthroughs in treatment for disorders, based on research into the activity of neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain and body.Research into disorders is often based on animal studies, for ethical reasons, and the results are not easily generalised to humans.Longitudinal correlational (twin or adoption) studies can provide a large amount of evidence for the heritability of some human behaviours.These studies are often criticised for their lack of adequate control of variables, for researcher bias and for conflicting results.Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash14Ethical considerationsNeed to ensure careful treatment of animals used in studiesInformed consent, confidentiality and avoidance of distress when conducting, and releasing results from, genetic testingConsideration of participants feelings in potentially sensitive twin and adoption studiesFully informed consent regarding participants undergoing a scanning procedure

Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash15Finally more than just funDr Cipinko and Dr Swash16See this short video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGglw8eAikY

Most recent research in the field of neuroscienceA recent breakthrough towards finding an eventual cure for the neurodegenerative diseases of Alzheimers, Huntingtons and Parkinsons. This research receives a very balanced review here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24478942 (Note how the researchers used animal studies and also brain-scanning technology).A report on a 21 year longitudinal study into twins and correlation surprising news! http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jun/02/twins-identical-genes-different-health-study?CMP=twt_gu Critical view of the implications of neuroimaging the brain is not the mind. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jun/30/brain-mind-behaviour-neuroscience-neuroimaging Finally, a great interview demonstrating the power of neuroplasticity, with a little girl who had half her brain removed, which is not as rare as you might think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MKNsI5CWoU Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash17

Do you have questions?Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash18