Cortisol's Effect on Verbal Declarative Memory

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What type of memory was affected in the participants who received high levels of cortisol?

verbal declarative memory

What was the purpose of the third condition in the experiment?

To serve as a placebo group

What did the study find regarding the relationship between cortisol levels and memory?

High cortisol levels negatively affect memory

How long did the researchers wait before conducting the final test to ensure there were no long-term effects?

6 days Signup and view all the answers

What does the study suggest about the role of hormones in human behavior?

Hormones, such as cortisol, can affect human behavior, including memory formation. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the effect of stress on memory based on the study's results?

Stress, which increases cortisol levels, reduces one's ability to form memories. Signup and view all the answers

What was the observed difference in task performance between the low cortisol levels group and the high cortisol levels group?

The low cortisol levels group performed the task better than the high cortisol levels group. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of pheromones in nature, and how do they achieve this?

In nature, pheromones are primarily used to signal readiness to mate or danger nearby, and they achieve this by releasing chemical substances into the environment that trigger a behavioral or physiological response in other members of the same species. Signup and view all the answers

What were the two potential human pheromones investigated in the Zhou et al. (2014) study, and where are they typically found in humans?

The two potential human pheromones investigated were androstenedione (AND) and estratetraenol (EST), typically found in male semen and sweat, and female urine, respectively. Signup and view all the answers

How did the researchers in the Zhou et al. (2014) study expose participants to the potential pheromones, and what task were they asked to perform?

Participants were exposed to the smell of cloves with either AND, EST, or no added pheromone, and they were asked to determine the gender of stick figures walking on a screen. Signup and view all the answers

What is the controversy surrounding the role of pheromones in human behavior, and why is it a topic of ongoing research?

The controversy surrounds the lack of identified human pheromones, and ongoing research aims to investigate their potential role in influencing human behavior. Signup and view all the answers

How do cortisol levels and pheromones relate to human behavior, and what is the potential impact on physiological response to stress?

Cortisol levels can impact cognitive function and performance, while pheromones may influence behavior, particularly in relation to sexual behavior. Chronically elevated cortisol levels can also impact physiological response to stress, leading to potential long-term health consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using experiments in psychology research, as seen in the study by Newcomer et al. (1999)?

To establish a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a placebo condition in an experiment, as seen in the study by Newcomer et al. (1999)?

To prevent demand characteristics and ensure participants' beliefs do not affect the outcome. Signup and view all the answers

How did the researchers in the Newcomer et al. (1999) study control for the effects of cortisol on verbal declarative memory?

By using a double-blind experiment with three conditions: 160mg cortisol, 40mg cortisol, and a placebo tablet. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cortisol in the study by Newcomer et al. (1999)?

It is the independent variable, manipulated to observe its effect on verbal declarative memory. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider the ecological validity of a study, such as the one by Newcomer et al. (1999)?

To ensure that the findings can be generalized to real-life situations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 6-day follow-up in the Newcomer et al. (1999) study?

To ensure that there were no long-term effects of the cortisol tablet. Signup and view all the answers