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Unit 2: Biological Level of Analysis Session 3

Unit 2: Biological Level of Analysis Session 3. ‘ All that is psychological is first physiological’. First things first. Assessment Outline Drafts will be returned with feedback by Friday Final report due Monday 4 th March. A quick recap.

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Unit 2: Biological Level of Analysis Session 3

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  1. Unit 2:Biological Level of AnalysisSession 3 ‘All that is psychological is first physiological’

  2. First things first... • Assessment Outline • Drafts will be returned with feedback by Friday • Final report due Monday 4th March Unit 2: Biological LOA

  3. A quick recap... • In pairs, write as much as you can remember from last session • You have 3 minutes... Unit 2: Biological LOA

  4. How did you do? Unit 2: Biological LOA

  5. Task • Read page 43 of your text book on localisation of brain function • In front of your books make notes on Broca and Wernicke’s studies on localisation of brain function Unit 2: Biological LOA

  6. Broca’s Aphasia • Broca (1861) found people suffering damage to Broca’s area in brain had problems producing speech but were able to understand it Unit 2: Biological LOA

  7. Case studies like this support the theory that the brain has specific areas that serve specific functions! Unit 2: Biological LOA

  8. Our learning outcome • Explain one study of localisation of function of the brain Unit 2: Biological LOA

  9. The case study of H.M. • Important because it provided evidence that there are different memory systems in the brain • Had experimental surgery that removed hippocampus • After the operation H.M. suffered from amnesia Unit 2: Biological LOA

  10. The case study of H.M. • He could recall information acquired in early life, but was unable to form new memories • Retrograde amnesia- failure to store memories that happened AFTER a trauma • Only his memory was affected by the removal of the hippocampus i.e. No personality change, IQ Unit 2: Biological LOA

  11. Clive Wearing • In his mid-forties suffered from a brain infection which damaged parts of his brain • Left with a memory span of only a few seconds • Most devastating case of • amnesia ever recorded • Suffers from anterograde • and retrograde amnesia Unit 2: Biological LOA

  12. What can be learned about localisation of brain from H.M. • Hippocampus plays a critical role in converting memories from short-term to long-term memory • Fact that H.M. had deficits in one part of the memory but not in others is evidence that the brain has several memory systems supported by distinct brain regions • H.M. could learn new procedural memories which indicates that these memories are not stored via the hippocampus • Shows memory processes are much more complex than originally believed • Although hippocampus is very important in the storage of new memories it is not the only part of the brain involved in the process Unit 2: Biological LOA

  13. Evaluation of case of H.M. Strengths • Surgery was based on assumption that H.M.’s seizures would stop and it was successful in this respect • H.M. participated in research for more than 50 years and participated in many kinds of tests including cognitive tasks, observations and neuroimaging studies Unit 2: Biological LOA

  14. Evaluation of case of H.M. Strengths • This longitudinal case study has contributed enormously to knowledge of how memory processes are related to specific areas of the brain: • The hippocampus is important for the forming, organising and retrieval of memories • Procedural memories are not processed by the hippocampus Unit 2: Biological LOA

  15. Evaluation of case of H.M. Limitations: Ethical Considerations • Although the surgery stopped the seizures it caused memory problems that had not been anticipated. • Since H.M. was unable to remember all the times he participated in research, it could be argued that it was unethical. However, the findings of the study are very important which justifies it. (remember the ends must justify the means) Unit 2: Biological LOA

  16. Evaluation of case of H.M. Limitations • As this was a case study it is questionable whether the results can be generalised to a larger population HOWEVER... • Findings from other case studies of people with brain damage like H.M. tend to support these findings so it may be possible to generalise the findings to some extent. Unit 2: Biological LOA

  17. Evaluating Studies/Theories • In all essays you must display evidence of critical thinking • One way to approach this is to always think... MAGEC Unit 2: Biological LOA

  18. Methodological considerations • Alternative explanations • Gender considerations • Ethical considerations • Cultural considerations Unit 2: Biological LOA

  19. Do you believe in MAGEC? • It is important not just to identify the consideration, but to clearly link it to either the study or the bigger question. • You need to explain WHY not just state strengths and limitations • E.G. The study was unethical BECAUSE.... Unit 2: Biological LOA

  20. Task • Read Research in Psychology article on Phineas Gage on page 42 • Answer the questions in the front of your book Unit 2: Biological LOA

  21. Evaluation of Phineas Gage Study STRENGTHS • Very prominent in psychology BECAUSE  it suggests that damage to the frontal lobe affects personality.  • Phineas Gage’s case is rare and unique AS it gave us early insights into what functions of the brain are affected when the frontal cortex is damaged. Unit 2: Biological LOA

  22. Evaluation of Phineas Gage Study STRENGTHS • Case studies are useful AS they are often the only method appropriate for studying particular forms of behaviour i.e. brain damage • DUE to the period of the study there are limited records of Phineas’ previous and later behaviour, following the accident.  HOWEVER, sufficient evidence and records were made to give an understanding into Phineas’ erratic change in behaviour.  Unit 2: Biological LOA

  23. Evaluation of Phineas Gage Study LIMITATIONS • There is also no possibility to generalise the behaviour to a population AS it is a singular person’s behaviour being investigated. • Case studies are also impossible to replicated, and have low reliability DUE to the effects of recall of past events, and the participants reactivity. Unit 2: Biological LOA

  24. Psychology Journal • Worth 25% • One entry per session • Journal entries will be posted on website Monday’s Entry: • Outline the three principles of the biological process noting a demonstration of each Unit 2: Biological LOA

  25. Today’s journal entry Be a communicator • Case studies of brain damaged patients had led to important findings about the brain • Write a newspaper article to inform the general public about the case study of Phineas Gage and what can be learned from it • Task outline on pg.42 of text book Unit 2: Biological LOA

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