Research Methods in Brain and Behavior

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a primary ethical consideration in genetics research?

  • Confidentiality and privacy (correct)
  • Inclusion of diverse populations
  • Public sharing of research results
  • Informed consent from participants

In the Minnesota Twin Study, what type of twins were involved?

  • Both monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins (correct)
  • Only identical twins
  • Adopted siblings
  • Only fraternal twins

What was one method used to protect the confidentiality of participants in the Minnesota Twin Study?

  • Conducting the research in public forums
  • Using participants' full names in publications
  • Storing genetic data securely and using codes (correct)
  • Allowing participants to withdraw from the study at any time

What kind of assessments did participants in the Minnesota Twin Study undergo?

<p>Medical and psychological assessments (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is confidentiality emphasized in genetics research?

<p>To prevent misuse of sensitive genetic information (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of laboratory experiments in brain and behaviour studies?

<p>They allow control over extraneous variables. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the study conducted by Draganski et al. (2004)?

<p>To analyze structural brain changes induced by juggling. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which procedure was used to assess brain changes in the juggling study?

<p>Performing MRI scans. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one finding from Draganski et al.'s study regarding brain changes?

<p>Increased gray matter was found in areas related to visual motion processing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Draganski et al. demonstrate the effects of juggling on brain structure?

<p>By randomly assigning participants and controlling training duration. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method did Draganski et al. not use in their research?

<p>Case studies of expert jugglers. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the study by Draganski et al. suggest about the brain's capacity?

<p>The brain can reorganize itself in response to learning new skills. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What element is essential in establishing a cause-and-effect relationship in laboratory experiments?

<p>Control of extraneous variables and manipulation of the independent variable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method is commonly used to reduce bias in hormone and pheromone research?

<p>Double-blind laboratory experiment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Kosfeld et al. study, what behavior was examined to determine the effects of oxytocin?

<p>Trust (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic do monozygotic twins share compared to dizygotic twins?

<p>100% of their genetics (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What finding was observed in the Minnesota Twin Study regarding IQ scores?

<p>MZ twins had higher IQ correlations than DZ twins. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ethical issue was particularly challenging in the study of patient H.M.?

<p>Informed consent (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone was administered in the De Dreu et al. study to examine its effects on behavior?

<p>Oxytocin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is informed consent crucial in brain research, particularly involving cognitive impairments?

<p>Participants must understand study risks. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of using deception in hormone research?

<p>Violation of participants' trust. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What element of a double-blind experiment helps establish a cause-and-effect link?

<p>Control over experimental conditions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What behavior was being measured in the trust game of the Kosfeld et al. study?

<p>Money shared with a partner. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do twin studies particularly compare to infer genetic influence on behavior?

<p>Correlations in traits between MZ and DZ twins (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to debrief participants after using deception in a study?

<p>To rebuild trust and explain any deception. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of participants were included in Bouchard et al.'s Minnesota Twin Study?

<p>Monozygotic and dizygotic twins (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the study conducted by Kosfeld et al. regarding oxytocin?

<p>It increased social trust among participants. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Laboratory Experiment

A research method used in a controlled setting to investigate the relationship between an independent variable (IV) and a dependent variable (DV). It allows for control over extraneous factors and helps establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Independent Variable (IV)

A variable that is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment. It is the factor being tested or changed.

Dependent Variable (DV)

A variable that is measured in an experiment. It is the factor that is affected by the independent variable.

Neuroimaging Techniques

A technique used to study the brain's structure and function. Examples include fMRI, MRI, and PET scans.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences, learning, or environmental stimuli.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Draganski et al. (2004) Study

A study that investigates how learning a new skill can influence brain structure.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mid-temporal Area

The area of the brain associated with visual perception and processing of movement.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gray Matter

The gray matter in the brain is made up of neuronal cell bodies and dendrites. It plays a crucial role in information processing and learning.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Confidentiality in Genetics Research

A key ethical concern in genetics research, where protecting the privacy of participants' genetic information is crucial.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Minnesota Twin Study

A study examining the role of genetics in intelligence by comparing identical and fraternal twins.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Code Numbers in Research

The practice of using codes for individuals instead of their names to protect their identity and ensure privacy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Secure Storage of Genetic Data

Storing genetic data securely, ensuring only authorized researchers can access it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Right to Privacy

Respecting individuals' right to privacy, a fundamental principle of ethical research.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Twin Study

A research method that compares identical twins (MZ) who share nearly 100% of their genes to fraternal twins (DZ) who share about 50% of their genes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Double-Blind Experiment

A research method where participants are randomly assigned to receive either a real treatment or a placebo, and neither the participants nor the researchers know who gets what.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Oxytocin

The hormone associated with social bonding, trust, and empathy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Trust Game

A game where participants decide how much money to share with a partner who can choose to return some or keep it all. It measures how much people trust each other.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anterograde Amnesia

The ability to remember new information after a specific event or time point.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Deception in Research

A study where the participants are not fully informed about the true nature of the study or the substances they receive.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Genetic Research

A research method that explores the influence of genetics on a specific trait, such as intelligence, personality, or predisposition to disorders.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Demand Characteristics

A bias that occurs when participants consciously or unconsciously change their behavior because they know they're being studied.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Informed Consent

The ability to understand the risks and benefits of participating in a research study and then freely give informed consent.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Brain and Behavior Research

A study that investigates how the brain influences behavior, often involving neuroimaging techniques like fMRI or EEG.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hormone/Pheromone Research

A research method that examines the effect of hormones or pheromones on behavior using controlled experiments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hormone Administration

A research method that involves providing participants with a substance (like a nasal spray) that is either a real hormone or a placebo.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ethnocentrism

The tendency to favor members of one's own group over members of other groups.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Oxytocin and Social Behavior

A study that examines the influence of hormones (like oxytocin) on social behavior, such as trust, cooperation, or aggression.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Research Methods in Brain and Behavior Studies

  • Laboratory Experiments: A research method manipulating an independent variable to measure its effect on a dependent variable in a controlled setting. This allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships, often using neuroimaging techniques.

  • Example: Draganski et al. (2004) investigated neuroplasticity by comparing juggling and non-juggling groups. Juggling participants had increased gray matter in visual motion areas after three months of training, which decreased when training stopped. This demonstrates a controlled experiment isolating the effect of a specific skill on brain structure.

Research Methods in Hormone/Pheromone Studies

  • Double-Blind Laboratory Experiments: A research method manipulating hormone/pheromone exposure while keeping both participants and researchers unaware of treatment. This minimizes bias and helps determine causal links between hormones and behavior.

  • Example: Kosfeld et al. (2005) examined oxytocin's effect on trust. Participants received either oxytocin or a placebo. Those receiving oxytocin were more likely to trust partners with higher amounts in a trust game, demonstrating a causal link between oxytocin and increased trust.

Research Methods in Genetics and Behavior Studies

  • Twin Studies (Correlational Approach): Comparing monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins to analyze the role of genetics in a trait. Similarities between MZ twins compared to DZ twins suggest a genetic component.

  • Example: Bouchard et al.’s (1990) Minnesota Twin Study analyzed intelligence by comparing IQ scores of MZ and DZ twins (reared together and apart). Increased correlation in MZ compared to DZ twins, even in different environments, indicated a significant genetic contribution to intelligence.

Ethical Considerations in Brain and Behavior Studies

  • Informed Consent: Ensuring participants understand the study's nature, potential risks, and procedures before voluntarily agreeing to participate. This is crucial in cases involving neuroimaging or medical procedures.

  • Example: The study of patient H.M. highlights challenges in obtaining informed consent due to memory deficits. Researchers needed sustained consent verification. This highlights how informed consent becomes extra crucial for those with cognitive impairments.

Ethical Considerations in Hormone/Pheromone Studies

  • Deception (Responsible Use): Researchers must carefully consider the use of deception to minimize demand characteristics in participants' responses. Subsequent debriefings are crucial to maintain participant trust.

  • Example: De Dreu et al. (2011) study on oxytocin and ethnocentrism used deception. Participants weren't initially informed about the oxytocin or placebo conditions or the exact purposes. Debriefing is paramount to avoiding long-term harm and maintaining trust.

Ethical Considerations in Genetics and Behavior Studies

  • Confidentiality and Privacy: Protecting participant's genetic information from misuse or stigmatization. This necessitates secure data storage, code numbers, and restricted access to safeguard privacy.

  • Example: The Minnesota Twin Study highlights the importance of confidentiality given the substantial amount of sensitive data collected. Measures like secure storage and code numbers were implemented to respect participant privacy.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser