IB Psychology HL
Biological analysis of Behaviour
Index/ Cheat Sheet
●Localisation
○ Definition: Localisation of function is the theory that specific parts of the brain
have specific functions that are related to specific behaviours. However, often,
behaviours are quite complex and involve several different parts of the brain
working together.
○ Key studies:
■ HM (Milner et al. 1953)
■ Maguire et al.
● Neuroplasticity
○ Definition: Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change through making
and breaking of synaptic connections between neurons; causing factors are both
genetic andenvironmental
○ Key studies
■ Maguire et al. (2000)
■ Draganski et al. (2004)
○ Practical applications
■ Sense stimulation
■ Human echolocation
○ Negative consequences:
■ pain and dysfunction of organs controlled by the autonomic nervous system
● Neurotransmission
○ Definition: Neurotransmission is the transmission of nerve impulses across a
synapse. Neurotransmitters are a type of chemical messenger that transmit
signals across a chemical synapse from one neuron to another neuron.
○ Key studies:
○ Passamonti et al (2012): serotonin depletion on aggression
○ Fisher et al (2004): dopamine and attraction
● Hormones
○ Hormones are chemicals produced by endocrine glands that regulate
physiological processes and maintain homeostasis.
○ Key studies:
○ Newcomer et al (2004): Cortisol on verbal declarative memory
○ Baumgartner et al 2008 oxytocin and trust
● Pheromones
● Pheromones are specie-specific chemicals that help in intraspecies communication
○ They induce activity in other individuals, such as sexual arousal.
○ Pheromones, unlike most other hormones, are ectohormones; they are secreted
outside the body, and they influence the behavior of another individual
○ Key studies:
○ Wedekind (1995)
○ Hare et al (2007)
● Brain imaging techniques
○ MRI: Maguire et al
,○ fMRI: Passamonti et al
, IB Psychology HL
● Genes
● Genes are fragments of DNA that influence a specific characteristic
● Behavioural genetics is the understanding of how genetics and environment
contribute to individual variations in human behaviour, where the premise is that
the inheritance of DNA influences behaviour.
● Key studies:
○ Brunner et al (1993): Genetics and aggression- MAOA deficit
○ Lea et al (2004): Genetics and aggression- MAOA deficit
○ Twin studies- Bouchard et al( 1990), Caspi et al (
● Evolutionary explanations for behavior: Disgust
○ Disgust, the emotion motivating avoidance of contact and refusal to eat
something, is elicited by many stimuli associated with pathogen transmission,
suggesting that disgust isan adaptation that serves to guard against disease.
○ Key studies:
○ Curtis et al (2004)
○ Fessler et al (2005)
● Animal research (Higher Level)
○ Animal models are used to gain insights into human psychology & behaviour
○ There are concerns when generalizing research findings from animal models to
people
○ There are ethical concerns about the use of animal in biopsychological research
○ Key studies:
■ Rosenweig, Bennet & Diamond (1972)
■ Rogers and Kesner (2003)
Biological analysis of Behaviour
Index/ Cheat Sheet
●Localisation
○ Definition: Localisation of function is the theory that specific parts of the brain
have specific functions that are related to specific behaviours. However, often,
behaviours are quite complex and involve several different parts of the brain
working together.
○ Key studies:
■ HM (Milner et al. 1953)
■ Maguire et al.
● Neuroplasticity
○ Definition: Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change through making
and breaking of synaptic connections between neurons; causing factors are both
genetic andenvironmental
○ Key studies
■ Maguire et al. (2000)
■ Draganski et al. (2004)
○ Practical applications
■ Sense stimulation
■ Human echolocation
○ Negative consequences:
■ pain and dysfunction of organs controlled by the autonomic nervous system
● Neurotransmission
○ Definition: Neurotransmission is the transmission of nerve impulses across a
synapse. Neurotransmitters are a type of chemical messenger that transmit
signals across a chemical synapse from one neuron to another neuron.
○ Key studies:
○ Passamonti et al (2012): serotonin depletion on aggression
○ Fisher et al (2004): dopamine and attraction
● Hormones
○ Hormones are chemicals produced by endocrine glands that regulate
physiological processes and maintain homeostasis.
○ Key studies:
○ Newcomer et al (2004): Cortisol on verbal declarative memory
○ Baumgartner et al 2008 oxytocin and trust
● Pheromones
● Pheromones are specie-specific chemicals that help in intraspecies communication
○ They induce activity in other individuals, such as sexual arousal.
○ Pheromones, unlike most other hormones, are ectohormones; they are secreted
outside the body, and they influence the behavior of another individual
○ Key studies:
○ Wedekind (1995)
○ Hare et al (2007)
● Brain imaging techniques
○ MRI: Maguire et al
,○ fMRI: Passamonti et al
, IB Psychology HL
● Genes
● Genes are fragments of DNA that influence a specific characteristic
● Behavioural genetics is the understanding of how genetics and environment
contribute to individual variations in human behaviour, where the premise is that
the inheritance of DNA influences behaviour.
● Key studies:
○ Brunner et al (1993): Genetics and aggression- MAOA deficit
○ Lea et al (2004): Genetics and aggression- MAOA deficit
○ Twin studies- Bouchard et al( 1990), Caspi et al (
● Evolutionary explanations for behavior: Disgust
○ Disgust, the emotion motivating avoidance of contact and refusal to eat
something, is elicited by many stimuli associated with pathogen transmission,
suggesting that disgust isan adaptation that serves to guard against disease.
○ Key studies:
○ Curtis et al (2004)
○ Fessler et al (2005)
● Animal research (Higher Level)
○ Animal models are used to gain insights into human psychology & behaviour
○ There are concerns when generalizing research findings from animal models to
people
○ There are ethical concerns about the use of animal in biopsychological research
○ Key studies:
■ Rosenweig, Bennet & Diamond (1972)
■ Rogers and Kesner (2003)
