Page 1 of 10
Biological Psychology 2 2025- 2026 Review GRADED A+ QUESTIONS WIT H
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
Biological Psychology
What are the two main parts of the nervous system?
Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
What does the Central Nervous System consist of?
The brain and spinal cord.
What is the role of the Peripheral Nervous System?
Links the CNS to limbs and organs.
What is the role of the Amygdala?
Important in processing fear and pleasure.
What are the main components of a neuron?
Dendrites, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminal.
What is resting potential in a neuron?
A break in transmission before an active potential arrives.
What happens when a nerve impulse arrives at the presynaptic membrane?
Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft.
What is the role of receptors at the postsynaptic membrane?
They link to neurotransmitters and initiate a new nerve impulse.
What is reuptake in neurotransmission?
The process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the presynaptic
membrane through reuptake channels.
Describe the synaptic process.
>Resting potential
>An active potential arrive at the presynaptic membrane
>Neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft.
>Receptors at the postsynaptic membrane link to neurotransmitters
>A new active potential is initiated at the postsynaptic membrane
What are the effects of low serotonin levels?
Can lead to low mood, and depression.
What are the effects of high serotonin levels?
Anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.
What is the impact of low dopamine levels?
Can lead to low mood and depression.
What is the impact of high dopamine levels?
Schizophrenia
What are some strengths of synaptic transmission research?
Brain scans have shown the action of neurotransmitters in schizophrenics which is
evidence that they can alter behaviour, and drugs that may alter transmitter levels
also affect behaviour which increases validity.
How does Raine (1997) strengthen the idea of synaptic transmission?
It shows the importance of CNS in decision-making which establishes cause and
effect between brain activity and behaviour.
What are some weaknesses of synaptic transmission research?
, Page 2 of 10
Much evidence comes from animal studies which may not generalise to humans, it's
hard to study neurotransmitter action at the synapse which lowers validity, and
research linking neurotransmitters to aggression is often correlational so other
factors may contribute and decreases validity.
What are the functions of the Frontal Lobes?
Involved in problem solving, reasoning, planning, and movement.
What is the role of the Occipital Lobes?
Responsible for visual processing.
What are the functions of the Parietal Lobes?
Movement, orientation, and perception of stimuli.
What is the function of the Temporal Lobes?
Involved in speech, memory, and perception.
Where is the amygdala located?
Temporal Lobes
What does the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) control?
Regulation of social behavior and control of the amygdala.
What are the affects of reduced activity in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)?
Can result in loss of control, immaturity, and altered personality as well as
aggression.
How does normal amygdala function affect ordinary people?
It means people will avoid activities that they know will cause others to become
upset or frightened.
How does the amygdala function in individuals with Antisocial Personality
Disorder (APD)?
Individuals with APD have abnormal amygdala function and cannot recognize fearful
facial expressions.
How does normal PFC function affect ordinary people?
It means people are able to learn what behaviours a re socially acceptable so will
feel guilty when they do something wrong.
How does the PFC function in individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder
(APD)?
Individuals with APD a smaller PFC and/or have less activity there, meaning they
don't learn which behaviours are acceptable so feel no guilt when they do something
'wrong'.
What did Wong (1997) find in relation to brain structure?
The study showed a link between reduced amygdala size led to aggression in
violent criminals.
This is evidence to support that the amygdala has a role in controlling aggression.
How have certain case studies (e.g. Phineas Gage) supported the role of brain
structure on aggression?
Phineas Gage's case showed that damage to the PFC causes behaviour changes
which includes becoming more aggressive.
How do animal studies support the idea that brain structure affects
aggression?
Animal brains have also shown evidence of a link between the amygdala and
aggression (although human brains are more complex).
What is the big weakness for the proclaimed link between brain structure and
aggression, especially in relation to criminals?
It can be used as a defense and remove blame from violent offenders which causes
ethical and social sensitivity issues.
Biological Psychology 2 2025- 2026 Review GRADED A+ QUESTIONS WIT H
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
Biological Psychology
What are the two main parts of the nervous system?
Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
What does the Central Nervous System consist of?
The brain and spinal cord.
What is the role of the Peripheral Nervous System?
Links the CNS to limbs and organs.
What is the role of the Amygdala?
Important in processing fear and pleasure.
What are the main components of a neuron?
Dendrites, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminal.
What is resting potential in a neuron?
A break in transmission before an active potential arrives.
What happens when a nerve impulse arrives at the presynaptic membrane?
Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft.
What is the role of receptors at the postsynaptic membrane?
They link to neurotransmitters and initiate a new nerve impulse.
What is reuptake in neurotransmission?
The process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the presynaptic
membrane through reuptake channels.
Describe the synaptic process.
>Resting potential
>An active potential arrive at the presynaptic membrane
>Neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft.
>Receptors at the postsynaptic membrane link to neurotransmitters
>A new active potential is initiated at the postsynaptic membrane
What are the effects of low serotonin levels?
Can lead to low mood, and depression.
What are the effects of high serotonin levels?
Anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.
What is the impact of low dopamine levels?
Can lead to low mood and depression.
What is the impact of high dopamine levels?
Schizophrenia
What are some strengths of synaptic transmission research?
Brain scans have shown the action of neurotransmitters in schizophrenics which is
evidence that they can alter behaviour, and drugs that may alter transmitter levels
also affect behaviour which increases validity.
How does Raine (1997) strengthen the idea of synaptic transmission?
It shows the importance of CNS in decision-making which establishes cause and
effect between brain activity and behaviour.
What are some weaknesses of synaptic transmission research?
, Page 2 of 10
Much evidence comes from animal studies which may not generalise to humans, it's
hard to study neurotransmitter action at the synapse which lowers validity, and
research linking neurotransmitters to aggression is often correlational so other
factors may contribute and decreases validity.
What are the functions of the Frontal Lobes?
Involved in problem solving, reasoning, planning, and movement.
What is the role of the Occipital Lobes?
Responsible for visual processing.
What are the functions of the Parietal Lobes?
Movement, orientation, and perception of stimuli.
What is the function of the Temporal Lobes?
Involved in speech, memory, and perception.
Where is the amygdala located?
Temporal Lobes
What does the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) control?
Regulation of social behavior and control of the amygdala.
What are the affects of reduced activity in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)?
Can result in loss of control, immaturity, and altered personality as well as
aggression.
How does normal amygdala function affect ordinary people?
It means people will avoid activities that they know will cause others to become
upset or frightened.
How does the amygdala function in individuals with Antisocial Personality
Disorder (APD)?
Individuals with APD have abnormal amygdala function and cannot recognize fearful
facial expressions.
How does normal PFC function affect ordinary people?
It means people are able to learn what behaviours a re socially acceptable so will
feel guilty when they do something wrong.
How does the PFC function in individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder
(APD)?
Individuals with APD a smaller PFC and/or have less activity there, meaning they
don't learn which behaviours are acceptable so feel no guilt when they do something
'wrong'.
What did Wong (1997) find in relation to brain structure?
The study showed a link between reduced amygdala size led to aggression in
violent criminals.
This is evidence to support that the amygdala has a role in controlling aggression.
How have certain case studies (e.g. Phineas Gage) supported the role of brain
structure on aggression?
Phineas Gage's case showed that damage to the PFC causes behaviour changes
which includes becoming more aggressive.
How do animal studies support the idea that brain structure affects
aggression?
Animal brains have also shown evidence of a link between the amygdala and
aggression (although human brains are more complex).
What is the big weakness for the proclaimed link between brain structure and
aggression, especially in relation to criminals?
It can be used as a defense and remove blame from violent offenders which causes
ethical and social sensitivity issues.
