Unit 3: Biological Level of Analysis
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Transcript of Unit 3: Biological Level of Analysis
UNIT 3: BIOLOGICAL LEVEL OF ANALYSISDay 12: Evolutional Aspects
Outcome(s): Discuss through a Socratic seminar the
extent to which genetics influence behavior
Examine evolutionary explanations of behavior to utilize as evidence in a Socratic seminar
Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behavior
Agenda:1. Warm Up2. Guided Notes: Evolution & Biological
LoA3. Discussion on the role of genetics and
evolution on our behavior: why do men cheat on their wives?
Develop Discussion Questions Socratic Seminar
4. ERQ – Evolution & Biological LOA
Warm Up Thinking Map: Evolution & Biological Level
of Analysis
Theory of Evolution & Charles Darwin
Theory of evolution: those who adapt best to the environment will have a greater chance of surviving, having children, and passing on their genes to their offspring
Theory of natural selection: those members of a species who have characteristics which are better suited to the environment will be more likely to breed, and thus to pass on these traits
On the Origin of Species – the theory of adaptation: the result of natural selection is that the species develop characteristics that make it more competitive within its own environment
Studying Evolution Professor Tetsuro Matsuzawa (2007)
Kyoto University in Japan Aim: to examine spatial memory in young chimps Methods: three pairs of chimps, taught to recognize numerals 1-9 on
computer monitor Chimps and human participants later seated at a computer terminal where
numerals flashed on a touch-screen in random sequence. The participant had to remember which numeral appeared in which location, and touch the squares in the appropriate sequence.
Human participants made many errors, accuracy decreased as numbers replaced with blank squares more quickly
Chimps had remarkable memory for spatial distribution with no difference shown for shorter durations
Why? Psychologists argue that it is a necessary adaptation for chimps to have this type of memory so that they can remember where food (and dangers) are in the rainforest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzUyX5kezb0
Evolutionary Psychology Grounded in the principle that as genes
mutate, those that are advantageous are passed down through a process of natural selection
Attempts to explain how human behaviors can be a testimony to the development of our species over time
Studying Evolutionary Psychology
Dan Fessler Research at University of California
at Los Angeles (UCLA) on disgust (2006)
Main argument: emotion of disgust allowed our ancestors to survive long enough to produce offspring, who in turn passed the same sensitivities on to us
Investigated nausea experiences by women in first trimester of pregnancy Infusion of hormones lowers the
expectant mother’s immune system so as to not fight the new foreign genetic material in her womb
Hypothesis: nausea response helps compensate for the suppressed immune system
Methods: 496 healthy pregnant women between the
ages of 18-50 and asked them to consider 32 potentially stomach sickening scenarios (ex: stepping on a worm barefoot, fish hook in finger, maggots on meat in trash can)
First asked questions about questions to see if they were first experiencing morning sickness
Then they ranked how disgusting each scenario was
Findings/Discussion: Women in 1st trimester scored much higher
in disgust sensitivity When controlled for morning sickness, the
response only held for disgusting scenarios involving food, such as the maggot example
Natural selection may have helped compensate for the increased susceptibility to disease during the risky period in pregnancy – disgust is a form of protection against disease
Studying Evolutionary Psychology cont.
Curtis et al. (2004) To test whether there were patterns in people’s disgust
responses Method/participants:
77,000 participants in 165 countries Used an online survey in which participants were shown 20 images and
to rank level of disgust Among the 20 images were 7 pairs where one was an infection or
harmful to the immune system and the others visually similar but non-infections
Findings/Discussion: The disgust reaction more strongly elicited for those images that
threaten one’s immune system Disgust reaction decreased with age (disgust reactions higher in
younger people) Once again… this supports the idea of disgust as a key to successful
reproduction
Things to consider when examining an evolutionary argument (limitations):
Since it may be difficult to test empirically some evolution-based theories, researchers may be susceptible to confirmation bias—that is, they see what they expect to see
Little is known about the behavior of early Homo sapiens, so statements about how humans “used to be” are hypothetical
Evolutionary arguments often underestimate the role of cultural influences in shaping behaviors
Ethical Considerations when Researching Genetic Influences on Behavior Hereditary diseases Genetic information obtained from research can be problematic for
the participant’s family If misused, genetic information can be stigmatizing and may affect
people’s ability to get jobs or insurance GATTACA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZppWok6SX88
Privacy and confidentiality Informed consent Can reveal unexpected information that may harm research
participants and create undue stress Evidence of misattributed paternity Unrevealed adoptions Carries a gene for a genetic disorder
Some groups may have objections to genetic study as a cultural principle
Helen Fischer’s Research on Love
Participants 32 people madly in love in
fMRI 17 in love was accepted 15 in love who had been
dumped When you fall in love
A “special meaning” and focus on a person
Intense energy Dependence Sexually possessive –
Darwinian purpose? Main characteristics of
romantic love: craving, motivation, obsession
Questioning the participants: What percentage of the
day/night do you think about this person?
Last question: would you die for him/her?
Methods fMRI Brain scans – sweetheart,
distractor/neutral, and control Findings/Discussion
Same brain region activated that is activated when on cocaine
Evolutionary aspect of love: sex drive, romantic love, attachment
http://www.ted.com/talks/helen_fisher_tells_us_why_we_love_cheat.html play until ~7:50
From Day 6
Reading
Read The Biology and Psychology of Cheating
When you are done reading… consider the following question:Why do men cheat on their wives?
On a notecard, write: One thing from the article you might agree
with One thing from the article you might
disagree with Two questions to discuss with classmates
Discussion Discussion Rules
1. No raising hands2. Don’t talk over others3. It is a discussion for learning, not a debate
Debrief Possible SAQ/ERQ:Examine one evolutionary explanation of
behaviour
Directions: with a partner, create an outline for this ERQ and write the topic sentences of each paragraph
Looking Ahead: