Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of an agonist in biological psychology?
What is the primary function of an agonist in biological psychology?
What phenomenon occurs when an individual requires higher doses of a drug over time to achieve the same effects?
What phenomenon occurs when an individual requires higher doses of a drug over time to achieve the same effects?
Which neurotransmitter does nicotine mimic at nicotinic receptors?
Which neurotransmitter does nicotine mimic at nicotinic receptors?
What is the role of endocannabinoids in the body?
What is the role of endocannabinoids in the body?
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Which therapy focuses on modifying negative thought patterns and beliefs?
Which therapy focuses on modifying negative thought patterns and beliefs?
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What defines withdrawal in relation to drug use?
What defines withdrawal in relation to drug use?
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What effect do amphetamines have in relation to neurotransmitters?
What effect do amphetamines have in relation to neurotransmitters?
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What is an antagonist in terms of drug action?
What is an antagonist in terms of drug action?
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What is the heritability percentage range for late onset Alzheimer's disease?
What is the heritability percentage range for late onset Alzheimer's disease?
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Which type of memory involves retaining information over an extended period of time?
Which type of memory involves retaining information over an extended period of time?
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What is the main characteristic of PTSD?
What is the main characteristic of PTSD?
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Which of the following is a theory that proposes multiple types of intelligences?
Which of the following is a theory that proposes multiple types of intelligences?
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Which of the following factors does NOT directly affect IQ according to the content?
Which of the following factors does NOT directly affect IQ according to the content?
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Which of the following is NOT a method to measure IQ mentioned in the content?
Which of the following is NOT a method to measure IQ mentioned in the content?
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What does the term 'range of reaction' refer to in relation to IQ?
What does the term 'range of reaction' refer to in relation to IQ?
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What is the expected distribution pattern of IQ scores?
What is the expected distribution pattern of IQ scores?
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Which type of bias involves favoring information that supports one's existing beliefs?
Which type of bias involves favoring information that supports one's existing beliefs?
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What is a characteristic of narrow artificial intelligence?
What is a characteristic of narrow artificial intelligence?
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What is the main concept behind Hebb's rule in learning?
What is the main concept behind Hebb's rule in learning?
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Which type of learning is associated with positive reinforcement to increase behavior?
Which type of learning is associated with positive reinforcement to increase behavior?
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What is identified as a primary reinforcer?
What is identified as a primary reinforcer?
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Which drug is noted for having the highest potential for addiction?
Which drug is noted for having the highest potential for addiction?
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What is the term for the brain's ability to form new neurons?
What is the term for the brain's ability to form new neurons?
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In the context of classical conditioning, what is the unconditioned stimulus?
In the context of classical conditioning, what is the unconditioned stimulus?
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What type of conditioning explains phobias as learned responses?
What type of conditioning explains phobias as learned responses?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of operant conditioning?
Which of the following is a characteristic of operant conditioning?
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What type of memory involves the recollection of personal experiences?
What type of memory involves the recollection of personal experiences?
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Which type of phobia is illustrated by Watson's experiment with Little Albert?
Which type of phobia is illustrated by Watson's experiment with Little Albert?
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What aspect contributes to long-term memory formation in the hippocampus?
What aspect contributes to long-term memory formation in the hippocampus?
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Which type of learning occurs in institutions and follows a structured curriculum?
Which type of learning occurs in institutions and follows a structured curriculum?
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What is neuroplasticity?
What is neuroplasticity?
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Which of the following drugs could potentially lead to neurotoxic effects?
Which of the following drugs could potentially lead to neurotoxic effects?
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Study Notes
Evolution & Genes in Biological Psychology
- Humans inherit predispositions to certain traits and disorders.
- Genes interact with the environment to shape observable characteristics and conditions.
- A simplified model suggests that adverse experiences (e.g., stressful life events), insecure attachment, and negative experiences can increase risk of depression. Secure attachment may buffer against risk.
- A complex model posits that the interplay of various factors, including secure/insecure attachment and stressors, impacts mental health outcome.
Clinical Applications: Drugs and Their Effects
- Genome Editing (Gene Editing): Technologies that allow scientists to alter an organism's DNA.
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Neurotransmitters and Drugs: Drugs can mimic or influence neurotransmitters.
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Agonists: Molecules that bind to and activate a receptor, producing a biological response.
- Examples include endocannabinoids (appetite), THC (cannabinoid receptors), nicotine (mimicking acetylcholine at nicotinic receptors), and amphetamines (norepinephrine and dopamine release).
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Antagonists: Molecules that bind to a receptor but do not activate it. Instead, they block or inhibit agonists from activating the receptor.
- Example: Naltrexone (opioid receptor antagonist).
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Agonists: Molecules that bind to and activate a receptor, producing a biological response.
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Drug Terminology:
- Craving: Strong desire for a drug/substance.
- Tolerance: Decreased response to a drug requiring higher doses for the same effect.
- Withdrawal: Physiological/psychological symptoms upon stopping or reducing drug use.
- Treatment: Combination of medical interventions and psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy).
Drug Dangers and Considerations
- Heroin and cocaine are considered highly addictive.
- The ranking of drug danger is based on expert opinion, which might be improved by incorporating various fields.
- Cannabis, mushrooms, and LSD can induce psychotic episodes (especially in those with a history of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia).
- MDMA (ecstasy) has potential neurotoxic effects.
- Research is incomplete; randomized clinical trials with control and placebo groups are often lacking.
- Issues exist in drug policy and legalization vs. the "war on drugs", drug scheduling, and physical/social harm.
Learning and Memory
- Learning is a complex process with roots in neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.
- Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to change in response to experiences.
- Hebb's rule: Repeated activation of two neurons creates a stronger connection.
- Classical conditioning: Learning through associating two stimuli (e.g., Pavlov's dogs).
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Operant conditioning: Learning from consequences of behaviors (e.g., rewards and punishments - Skinner).
- Types include fixed-interval, fixed-ratio, variable-interval, and variable-ratio schedules of reinforcement.
- Social learning: Learning through observation and modeling.
Memory & Disorders
- Memory-related disorders: Include autism, Alzheimer's disease, and PTSD.
- Autism: Neurodevelopmental disorder with social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors.
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Alzheimer's disease: Progressive neurocognitive disorder with memory loss.
- Heritability is higher for early-onset (over 90%) than late-onset (58% to 79%).
- PTSD: Condition arising from trauma exposure. Includes intrusive memories, avoidance, and altered emotional responses.
- Memory processes: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval. Implicit and Explicit memory are also key concepts.
Cognition and Intelligence
- Cognitive Science: Interdisciplinary study of the mind and mental processes (combining aspects of cognitive psychology, philosophy of mind).
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Intelligence: The ability to learn, adapt, understand, and use thought appropriately.
- Single-factor theories: Intelligence is one general ability.
- Multiple-factor theories: Intelligence is composed of various abilities.
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Measuring intelligence: IQ tests (e.g., Wechsler, Stanford-Binet).
- IQ scores and interpretation: Understand that IQ scores are normally distributed.
- Heritability vs environment: Importance of looking at the interaction of genes and environmental factors in influencing intelligence outcomes (heredity vs. experience), but the exact balance can be challenging to determine.
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Description
Explore the intricate relationships between genetics, environment, and mental health in this quiz on biological psychology. Understand how genes can influence traits, interactions affecting risks for disorders, and the clinical applications of gene editing and drug effects on neurotransmitters.
