Biological Level of Analysis

Review

• What are nerve cells called?• What are the main parts of a nerve

cell (neuron) IN ORDER?• TRUE OR FALSE: the axon terminals

of one neuron touch the dendrites of the next neuron when transmitting a message/signal

• What are the 4 lobes of the brain?

Review

• How many hemispheres are there in the brain?

• What is the “little brain” really called?

• What is the bundle of fibers called that connects the 2 hemispheres?

1. What does it mean for something to be “innate”?

2. Does evolution play a role in behavior?

Today’s Objective…

Learning Intention: Outline the 3 principles of the Biological Level of Analysis (LoA)

Success Criteria: Students will demonstrate mastery of 3 principles and supporting research on upcoming evidence

FIRST…

WHAT IS THE NATURE VS. NURTURE DEBATE? Nature: human behavior is the result of

biological factors Nurture: human behavior is the result

of environmental factors

3 Principles of the Biological LoA

1. Behavior can be innate because it is genetically based

2. Animal research can provide insight into human behavior.

3. There are biological correlates of behavior

3 Principles of the Biological LoA

PRINCIPLE #1

Behavior can be innate because it is genetically based

Principle #1: Behavior can be innate because it is genetically based

TWIN STUDIES Why study twins? What are Monozygotic twins?▪ two individuals developed from one fertilized oocyte

(immature egg cell); they have identical genomes. Dizygotic twins?▪ Twins developed from two separate

 oocytes fertilized at the same time. Diathesis-Stress Model

Genetic predisposition (diathesis) to develop a disorder that MAY OR MAY NOT be brought out by the environment (stress)

Principle #1: Behavior can be innate because it is genetically based

Twins separated at birthhttp

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yTCShemS_0&feature=related

Case StudyResearcher’s name Name of the Research

A This is the Aim of the research study

P This is the Procedure of the study

F This is the Findings of the study

C This is the Conclusion of the study

E Evaluation of the study

3 Principles of the Biological LoA

PRINCIPLE #2

Animal research can provide insight into human behavior.

Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMJJpbRx_O8&list=PLQWwMZATghnqDldldmmGaf_XfWO-RLaT9&index=29

Principle #2: Animal research can provide insight into human behavior. Why study animals? What do we use them to study? What ethical problems can we face

by studying animals?

For more info, visit… http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/using/experiments_1.shtml

Principle #2: Animal research can provide insight into human behavior. Animal experiments are widely used

to develop new medicines and to test the safety of other products

Many experiments cause pain to the animals or reduce the quality of life in other ways What is ablation? What is lesioning? What do these two methods tell us?

Principle #2: Animal research can provide insight into human behavior.PRO-ANIMAL TESTING

Experimenting on animals is acceptable if (and only if): Suffering is minimized in

all experiments Human benefits are

gained which could not be obtained by using other methods

ANTI-ANIMAL TESTING

Experimenting on animals is always unacceptable because: It causes suffering to

animals The benefits to human

beings are not proven Any benefits to human

beings that animal testing does not provide could be produced in other ways

Case study

The Hungry Rat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-DgV2vixSo

3 Principles of the Biological LoA

Principle #3 Human behavior is, to some extent,

genetically based.

3 Principles of the Biological LoA

PRINCIPLE #3

There are biological correlations of behavior

Principle #3: There are biological correlates of behavior

Implies that it should be possible to find a link between a specific biological factor (ex: hormone or neurotransmitter) and a specific behavior THIS IS THE AIM OF RESEARCHERS IN

THIS LOA

EX: Acetylcholine Too much: Parkinson’s Not enough: Alzheimer’s

Principle #3

Is lack of sleep making me fat?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxezLHDECUo

Examples of neurotransmitters & hormones that are in charge of really important things:

• Acetylcholine• Dopamine• Serotonin • Growth Hormone• Leptin• Ghrelin

Neurotransmitters

• Acetylcholine-acts on both PNS and CNS as a neuormodulator, it activates muscles on PNS/ CNS it plays role in attention & arousal.

• Dopamine-helps control the brains reward and pleasure center.

• Serotonin-Zen master of neurotransmitters. Low levels = anxiousness, irritability, depression, trouble sleeping. Antidepressants release serotonin.

• Growth Hormone-stimulates cell production• Leptin-hormone made by fat cells that regulate the

amount of fat stored in the body• Ghrelin-hunger hormone

Case study

Minnesota Twin Study

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J6AL9Ztuvk

Assignment

You are to identify a case that relates to one of the 3 principles of biological level of analysis. Create an index card on the case to guide you in explaining it to the class.

Due next class