Psych Exam Practice - PDF

ERQ: Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of the role of neurotransmission on behavior and/or cognition. Sara Ciarlatani Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters facilitate communication between neurons across synapses and are essential f...

ERQ: Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of the role of neurotransmission on behavior and/or cognition. Sara Ciarlatani Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters facilitate communication between neurons across synapses and are essential for the regulation of behavior and mental processes in the brain. An essential neurotransmitter for controlling emotions, anger, and impulse control is serotonin. The way it links two important brain regions—the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is in charge of self-control and decision-making, and the amygdala, which processes emotions like fear and anger—makes its effects particularly evident. In order to maintain equilibrium in behavior and emotions, serotonin enables the PFC to control the amygdala's emotional reactions. Research like Raine et al. (1997) emphasizes the connection between aggressive behavior and brain abnormalities, whereas Passamonti et al. (2011) use trials to show how serotonin affects the brain's regulatory processes. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) uses serotonin to control the amygdala's strong emotional responses, which is a crucial part of maintaining emotional equilibrium. Appropriate serotonin levels allow the PFC to regulate the amygdala's impulsive reactions, promoting composure and socially acceptable conduct. But as serotonin levels fall, this link becomes less strong, which increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior, impulsivity, and emotional outbursts. This imbalance is particularly evident in situations that are dangerous because the amygdala may take over in the absence of the PFC's calming impact. Studies, both observational and experimental, have repeatedly demonstrated a connection between elevated impulsivity and aggressiveness and low serotonin levels. These results highlight serotonin's crucial function in controlling emotions and its link to aggressive conduct. A research by Passamonti et al. (2011) examined the effects of serotonin loss on brain activity, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the amygdala during emotional processing.To guarantee accurate results, the study employed a randomized, repeated-measures design with 30 healthy volunteers.Participants drank a beverage that reduced serotonin levels by decreasing tryptophan, an early form of serotonin, on one day, and a placebo on another. While conducting fMRI scans to measure brain activity, participants in the experiment were shown pictures of neutral, angry, and sad faces. The results showed that serotonin loss had two main effects: first, individuals' PFC activity decreased when they looked at furious faces, and second, the PFC and amygdala's connection was disrupted.According to these findings, serotonin is essential for the PFC to control the amygdala's emotional reactions, especially when the brain is absorbing negative emotions or social threats. The PFC finds it more difficult to regulate the emotional reactions that the amygdala triggers when serotonin levels are low because this regulation process is affected. Increased emotional responses, impulsive conduct, and even aggression may result from this disturbance. Although Passamonti et al. (2011) offer valuable insights into the function of serotonin in emotional regulation, the study has several disadvantages. However, since the technique doesn't test serotonin levels in the brain directly, it indirectly reduces the accuracy of the results by decreasing serotonin via lowering tryptophan levels. Furthermore, because the study only included healthy volunteers, its findings could not be entirely applicable to clinical groups, such as those with violent pasts or aggressiveness issues. Futhrermore, it cannot be applicable to unhealthy people, or older people. Despite these limitations, the study emphasizes how crucial serotonin is for controlling emotional and behavioral reactions in the brain. Raine et al. (1997) compared the brain activity of 41 people accused of murder to a control group in order to investigate the potential connection between brain abnormalities and violent behavior.In the research, every criminal entered a not guilty plea due to illness.Through PET scans, the researchers discovered that the criminals had problems in the limbic system, which consists of the brain regions of the thalamus and amygdala, as well as decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC).According to these findings, people may find it more difficult to regulate their impulses, respond emotionally, and consider the effect of their acts if they have different brain structures.Lower PFC activity, for instance, is associated with trouble controlling behavior and planning, whereas limbic system issues may result in more intense emotional responses.This study demonstrates how brain variations may interfere with emotional regulation and be linked to aggressive behavior. There are significant limitations to take into account, but the study's results offer strong proof for the biological elements that can influence behavior that is aggressive.The detected brain abnormalities may be the source of aggressive conduct, although it is unknown if they are the consequence of environmental effects, trauma, substance misuse, or other causes, therefore, that could be a limitation.Furthermore, because the research focuses on people who have committed extreme violent crimes like murder, it cannot be applied to other types of aggressiveness or to those who commit nonviolent crimes.The study's findings should be carefully evaluated in light of these considerations.Despite these limitations, the results offer strong evidence of the theory that variations in the structure and function of the brain, impacted by neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin, contribute to violent conduct. Both research emphasize how crucial serotonin is for controlling behavioral and emotional reactions.Serotonin's effects on the PFC-amygdala connection are experimentally demonstrated by Passamonti et al. (2011), whereas Raine et al. (1997) demonstrate an association between brain disorders and aggressive behavior.Genetic characteristics, early experiences, societal pressures, and several other biological and environmental variables all interact with neurotransmission.The types of experimental studies that can be conducted are also restricted by ethical considerations since it would be unethical to alter neurotransmitter levels in a way that could endanger individuals.These difficulties highlight the necessity for an integrated approach to the study of the interplay between biological and environmental influences on behavior. Serotonin facilitates communication between the amygdala and PFC, which is essential for moderating impulsive behaviors and emotional reactions. This association is better understood due to studies like Raine et al. (1997) and Passamonti et al. (2011), but they also show how difficult it is to separate biological impacts from other variables. To improve our knowledge of serotonin's function in behavior and cognition and to address emotional dysregulation and aggressiveness in a variety of demographics, more study is necessary.