IB Psych BLOA

KC6: Pheromones Intro

A pheromone is a chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal, which affects the behavior of others of its own species. Pheromones usually affect sexual mating behaviors in animals. They are thought to play a role in attraction between humans, but it is highly debated among researchers. Two researchers who investigated the potential impact of human pheromones on behavior were Wedekind and Cutler, Friedman, & McCoy.

KC7: Evolutionary Behavior Intro

A principle of evolutionary psychology is that as genes mutate, those that are advantageous are passed down through a process of natural selection. This is derived from Darwin's theory of evolution, which states that all living things are related and descended from a common ancestor. Darwin explained this through his theory of natural selection, which is a mechanism through which all life came to be related - members of a species who have characteristics that are better suited for their environment are more likely to survive and be able to reproduce and pass on those characteristics to their offspring. These characteristics can be physical traits or behaviours which advantage the individual. Evolutionary psychologists attempt to explain how certain human behaviours show how humans have developed over time. Certain behaviours can be explained by examining their evolutionary origins and their identifying their ability to enhance survival. Two researchers who studied evolutionary behaviors were Wedekind and Ronay & Von Hippel.

Scarr & Weinberg Link (Genetic Behavior/Inheritance)

An increase in IQ occurs due to environmental factors, but how responsive a particular child would be to environmental influences depends on the child's genetics. Genetics is important, but the environment is too.

Research methods researchers (brain & behavior)

Antanova (Neurotransmitters): Lab experiment Milner (Localization): Case Study Maguire (Localization/BIT): Natural Experiment

Ethics researchers (brain & behavior)

Antanova (Neurotransmitters): Stress/Placebo Milner (Localization): True consent? Sharot (FBM/Amygdala): Protection (memories from a traumatic experience)

KC4: (Excitatory) Neurotransmission Researchers

Antonova, Troster & Beatty

Ethical Problem in Genetics at BLOA #1 - Informed Consent

Average people cannot be accurately informed of the background information regarding genetic information, so it must be put in plain and basic terms that are easy to understand.

KC2: Techniques at the BLOA Intro

BIT are methods used in psych to examine the human brain. They are useful in neuropsychology to study the active brain and see where brain processes take place. One technique used at the BLOA is an MRI, which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce 3D computer-generated images. MRIs can distinguish among different types of soft tissue and allow researchers to see structures within the brain. Two researchers who used an MRI within their studies were Maguire and Draganski.

KC8: Genetic Behavior Researchers

Bouchard and Scarr & Weinberg

Maguire Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Brain Localization, Techniques, Neuroplasticity Quasi-experiment, independent measures, opportunity sampling Aim: If someone is a London taxi driver then their brain will be different than a non-taxi driver Procedure: MRI scans obtained from 16 right-handed male taxi drivers with 1.5 yrs experience who have taken The Knowledge. Matched with 50 non-taxi driver scans for specific characteristics (not matched pairs) Results: Posterior hippocampus was larger & anterior hippocampus was smaller, which suggests trade-off based on environmental demands

Research methods in studies on brain and behavior

Case Studies= triangulation, natural, rich data Experiments (Lab, Natural, Field) = cause and effect Interviews= detailed responses Observations = not trying to show cause and effect, natural Surveys/Questionnaires = collecting data from a large group

KC1: Brain Localization Intro

Certain areas of the brain correspond to and control certain functions. Behavior, emotions and thoughts originate in the brain in specific locations. Damage to relevant areas cause loss of function in that area. The left hemisphere controls logic, right hemisphere controls emotions and creativity. The four lobes, occipital, parietal, frontal, and temporal, control different behaviors and functions. Research, including studies from Maguire and Draganski, have shown how functions of the brain are localized.

Caspi Study Details (Genetic focus, Aim, Findings)

Ethics in Genetics/BLOA Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Aim: To investigate whether a functional change in the 5-HTT gene is linked to a higher or lower risk of depression in an individual. Findings: People who inherited one or more short versions of the allele demonstrated more symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation in response to stressful life events

Ronay & Von Hippel Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Evolutionary behavior Field experiment, independent measures, 96 young Australian adult males w/ mean age of 21.58 - 43 in control condition and 53 in female condition Aim: If a woman is present, then men will take greater risks Procedure: Skateboarders asked do an easy trick (completed 50% of the time) 10 times. 10 minute break. Then 10 attempts of same trick in front of attractive 18-year-old female researcher. Risk was coded as success, crash landing, or aborted attempt. Saliva samples taken prior to and throughout task to measure testosterone levels. Results: Men take greater risks when in the presence of an attractive female, which the higher testosterone levels may account for

Troster & Beatty Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Experiment, repeated measures, 13 men (31-59 years old) Aim: If ACh levels change, then memory will be affected Procedure: Placebo or injection of .5mg or .8mg of scopolamine. 3 conditions - free recall test (read a list of words: 7= high imagery, 7= low and were asked to recall, then 40 minute delay and asked to recall again), new map test (map of fake states and asked to memorize the locations of the cities, after 60 seconds they had to fill in a blank map. This was done four times), & remote memory battery (150 images of famous faces and events) w/ 48 hour pause b/t conditions Results: Scopolamine inhibited the encoding of new memories but had no significant effect on recall of long-term memories, which suggests that ACh plays a role in the encoding of both semantic & spatial memories

KC9: Research Methods Body (Experiment - Newcomer)

Experiments are used to determine the cause and effect relationship between two variables. Researchers manipulate the independent variable (IV) and measure the dependent variable (DV). Attempt to control as many extraneous variables as possible to provide controlled conditions (laboratory experiments). Experiments are considered a quantitative research method, however qualitative data may be collected as well. There are three different types of experiments, which include a laboratory experiment, a natural (QUASI) experiment and a field experiment.

Weissman Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Genetic Behavior (Kinship) Longitudinal family study Grandchildren, their parents, and their grandparents. Some high risk of depression, some low. Aim: Is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) genetic? Procedure: Took place over 20 yrs. Grandparents selected from clinic for mood disorders. Grandparents & parents interviewed 4 times before grandchildren existed. Data collected from clinicians. Children evaluated by a child psychologist and a child psychiatrist (unaware of history, triangulation) Results: High rates of psychiatric disorders (anxiety, depression, and addiction) in grandchildren with 2 generations of major depression. Increased risk if depression was observed in both grandparents and parents. IF parent was depressed, but no history in family, there was no significant effect on grandchildren

Scarr & Weinberg Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Genetic Inheritance Transracial adoption study, independent measures, 101 adoptive families who had biological & adopted children (some black, some white, adopted at various ages) Aim: to determine if genetics or environment has a greater influence on behavior Procedure: Children were adopted before a year old or just right after. Children assessed on IQ and school achievement tests. Results: Black children placed in white families had IQ's that were 16 points higher than black children reared in their own home. Early adoption resulted in higher IQ than late adoption. Early adoption for black children scored almost as high as adopted white child. 40-70% of IQ variance in the sample was due to genetic variance among the children. The IQ of genetically unrelated young siblings was almost as high as biological siblings

Bouchard Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Genetic inheritance Correlational twin study (case study), independent measures, 56 pairs of identical twins, avg age = 41, twins, 5 months together before separated, reunited @ ~30 yrs of age, from different countries Aim: Determine if genetics or environment have a greater influence on behavior (intelligence) Procedure: Get twins separated at birth. Gather physical & psychological data - triangulation to ensure accuracy. Strict measures - same test, same time, different rooms. Goal to measure intelligence. 50 hours of testing. Results: No significant difference between twins who were separated or not in terms of personality like temperament, hobbies, interests, career pursuits and social attitudes. About 70% of differences between IQs in twins is due to genetics, 30% was to environment.

Newcomer Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Hormones Experiment, independent measures, healthy students & employees at Washington Univ. Medical Center Aim: If levels of cortisol increase, then verbal declarative memory will decrease Procedure: PP's assigned high, low or placebo. Cortisol pill for 4 days straight. Listen to and recall prose each day, 3 times per day, and baseline before any pills. Test 6 days later to ensure no long-term effects. Results: High cortisol levels impaired performance in the memory task. Returned to normal after they stopped taking the hormone. Moderate levels may have assisted in recall.

Baumgartner Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Hormones Independent Measures, Lab experiment, 49 PP's Aim: If levels of oxytocin increase then participants will trust easily after it has been breached Procedure: Put in fMRI scanner for whole experiment. Nasal spray with oxytocin or placebo. Played investors in trust game or played a risk game with a computer ($10 - keep or invest in trustee. If sum shared then triple money ($30 - each gets $15). Trustee - repay or violate trust. several rounds.) Results: Placebo decreased rate of trust after it was broken. Oxytocin group continued to invest at similar rates despite broken trust. Oxytocin - decrease response in amygdala (emotional processing and fear learning), and decrease response in caudate nucleus (associated with learning and memory). Oxytocin's effect on trust is only effective in interactions with real people.

KC:5 Hormones Intro

Hormones are a particular class of chemicals that affect human behavior (growth, reproduction, metabolism, mood, etc.). Hormones are produced in the human body by glands that make up the endocrine system. Hormones are then released into the bloodstream, where they can influence behavior. Two such hormones are cortisol and oxytocin. Cortisol is a hormone that regulates processes throughout the body, and most notably controls the body's response to stress. Prolonged cortisol secretion caused by chronic stress may lead to physiological changes and impairment of important functions. Oxytocin is oftentimes called the "love hormone" because it has been shown to be important in human behaviors including arousal, bonding, and trust. Trust helps humans form meaningful relationships with each other, and betrayal disrupts these bonds. Two researchers who explored the use of hormones on behavior were Newcomer and Baumgartner.

Ronay & Von Hippel Link (Evolutionary Behavior)

Increased risk-taking is a sign to potential mates that the male is healthy, strong, & dominant and would be able to intimidate a potential rival. This is an evolutionary trait because women want to reproduce with a man who will be able to protect her and produce strong offspring.

KC8: Genetic Behavior: Weissman, Bouchard, and Scarr & Weinberg Intros/defs (Intro)

Kinship (Weissman): One example of how genes can be studied is through kinship studies, which show the incidence of a behavior over multiple generations. Bouchard: One example of how genes can be studied is through correlational twin studies, which are usually performed on monozygotic (MZ) twins who were separated and adopted at birth and reared by parents genetically unrelated to them. These studies are used to observe the effects of genetics and the environment on behavior and determine the concordance rates, or the frequency of a behavior, between twins. Longitudinal Studies (Weissman and Scarr & Weinberg): data is gathered for the same subjects repeatedly over time

KC9: Research Methods Body (Case Study - Caspi)

Like experiments, another key research method used frequently in the BLOA is a case study. case studies are used as an in-depth study of an individual or small group. Because of this, case studies obtain information that may not be identifiable by using other research methods. Case studies are considered a qualitative research method, however quantitative data may be collected as well. They involve the use of a combination of several research methods such as interviews and observations. The conclusions are more valid than what may be gained from any of these research methods individually.

Raine Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Localization Matched pairs, 39 males & 2 females. Plead NGRI. Murderers/psychopaths. Matched to controls for age, sex, mental disorder, etc. Got them using opportunity sampling. Aim: If someone is a murderer then they will have a brain abnormality. Procedure: Injected with a glucose tracer. Performance task for 32 minutes. Given PET Scan. Results: NGRIs had less activity in their prefrontal and parietal areas, more activity in occipital areas, and no difference in temporal areas. They also exhibited less activity in the amygdala.

Draganski Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Localization, Techniques, Neuroplasticity Experiment, repeated measures, 38 medical students, 12 controls Aim: If someone learns to juggle then their brain will change Procedure: MRI, juggle 3 months, MRI, no juggling 3 months, MRI Results: Jugglers showed large amounts of gray matter in mid-temporal areas, which is associated with visual memory. The gray matter decreased after no juggling. Repetition/ learning a new skill results in an increase in gray matter which shows neuroplasticity.

Draganski Links (Localization, Techniques, Neuroplasticity)

Localization: Draganski's study exemplifies how different parts of the brain, like the mid-temporal areas, which control visual memory, relate back to the theory of localization of function, which states that specific regions of the brain are responsible for different functions. Techniques & Neuroplasticity: By using an MRI, Draganski was able to observe the structures in the brain and find a correlation between environmental enrichment on neuroplasticity, a physiological process occurring in the brain, particularly around the mid-temporal areas which then affect behaviour in terms of visual memory.

Maguire Links (Localization, Techniques, Neuroplasticity)

Localization: Maguire's 's study exemplifies how different parts of the brain, in this case, the hippocampus, which controls memory, relates back to the theory of localization of function, which states that specific regions of the brain are responsible for different functions. Techniques & Neuroplasticity: By using an MRI, Maguire was able to observe the structures in the brain and find a correlation between environmental enrichment on neuroplasticity, a physiological process occurring in the brain, particularly around the hippocampus region which then affects behaviour in terms of memory.

KC3: Neuroplasticity Researchers

Maguire & Draganski

KC2: Techniques at the BLOA Researchers

Maguire and Draganski

KC1: Brain Localization Researchers

Maguire, Raine, and Draganski

Weissman Link (Genetic Behavior/Kinship)

Major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders are likely genetic and heritable, which shows that genes influence specific behaviors, which can be passed down through generations.

Raine Link (Localization)

NGRIs showed less activity in the frontal lobe, especially the prefrontal cortex which is associated with rational thinking, self-restraint and memory. There was also less activity in the parietal lobe, which is associated with abstract thinking such as "morality" or "justice." Lack of activity in the amygdala - indicating that violence was due to unusual emotional responses (e.g. lack of fear)

KC3: Neuroplasticity Intro

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to adapt by forming new connections as a result of environmental demands. The brain is made up of billions of cells called neurons, and each neuron is connected to thousands of other neurons through its dendrites - tree like branches that carry signals from one neuron to the next. Learning allows neurons to form new connections with other neurons, which establishes a new pathway in the brain. When a neural pathway is used repeatedly, the pathway will become stronger, and the more likely this pathway will become activated in the future. On the other hand, lack of use of a pathway will weaken it or the brain will get rid of it completely, known as neural pruning. Two researchers who studied Neuroplasticity were Maguire and Draganski.

Antonova Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Neurotransmission Experiment, repeated measures, 20 males with a mean age of 28 Aim: If ACh levels change, then memory will be affected Procedure: Training in VR, injection or placebo, fMRI while playing "Arena Task" (VR) - goal to reach pole, blank for 30 secs, then try again (remember?) Results: When injected with scopolamine, pp's had less activity in their hippocampus. ACh could play a key role in encoding spatial memories in humans & rats

KC5: Hormones Researchers

Newcomer & Baumgartner

KC9: Research Methods Researchers

Newcomer & Caspi

Newcomer Link (Hormones)

Newcomer's study shows how one hormone, cortisol, directly impacts one behavior, declarative memory.

Ethics (hormones & pheromones) researchers

Newcomer: Stress/Placebo Baumgartner: Stress/Placebo

Baumgartner Link (Hormones)

Oxytocin may have a role in decreasing fear reactions and may facilitate the expression of trust even after trust has been violated. This shows that hormones play a role in human behavior.

KC8: Genetic Behavior (Intro)

People are influenced by their genes and by their environment. Genes are the basic units of inheritance that play a role in determining physical and behavioral characteristics. The environment is crucial in gene activation, and if someone is never exposed to an environmental influence, like basketball, then that gene, for example the athletic gene, may never be activated. Heritability is the extent to which behaviors can be attributed to genes. Low heritability means that if two people with the same gene are put into different environments, then the gene will likely not contribute to the behavior in both individuals. High heritability means that if two people are put into the exact same environment, then their characteristics are determined only by their genes.

Cutler, Friedman, and McCoy Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Pheromones Quasi-experiment, Repeated Measures, 38 healthy average-looking heterosexual men 25-42 yrs old Aim: Investigate if increased sex pheromone, then increase in socio-sexual behavior of men Procedure: Use aftershave at least 3x per week throughout study (baseline = 2 weeks). Record 6 socio-sexual behaviors: affection, sleeping next to partner, sex, informal dates, formal dates, masturbation. Add ethanol (sex pheromone) to aftershave. Use aftershave consistently & record 6 behaviors over the next 6 weeks. Results: Men who used the synthetic hormone saw an increase in 4 socio-sexual behaviors (affection, sleeping next to partner, sex, and informal dates) (47% increase for pheromone group, 9.5% for placebo)

Wedekind Study Details (KC, Participants, Aim, Procedure, Results)

Pheromones, Evolutionary Behavior Quasi-experiment, Repeated Measures, 49 female (some birth control) & 44 male students in Switzerland, each typed for MHC. Major Histocompatibility Complex (group of genes) supports immune system (healthier offspring). Aim: If different MHC, then attraction Procedure: Men wore a t-shirt for 2 nights & carried it in an open plastic bag during the day and used no other scents. After 2 days, women ranked the smell of 7 shirts - 3 similar MHC, 3 different MHC, 1 unworn. 0-10 for intensity plus pleasantness/sexiness (5=neutral) Results: Found body odors more pleasant when they differed from their own MHC than if they were similar. Odor assessment reversed when the women took contraceptives.

KC10: Ethics in Genetics/BLOA Intro

Research into human genetics aims to determine the influence of genes on behaviour and identify genes involved in hereditary diseases and disorders. This kind of research may pose risks to participants because there are consequences for any individual, and their family, who finds out that they have a genetic predisposition to a disorder or behaviour that is harmful. In psychology, ethics must be considered to ensure participants (humans and animals) are not harmed and that research conducted is ethically valid. Ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behaviour include: revelations of carrying genes for genetic conditions, informed consent for genetic research, confidentiality of participants, and stigmatization of individuals on the basis of knowledge of genetic conditions.

Ethical Problem in Genetics at BLOA #2 - Protection

Self-fulfilling prophecy - people hear their genetics predispose them to specific behaviors, which worry them and they start to become true Stigmatizing - affect people's ability to get jobs or insurance

Bouchard Link (Genetic Behavior/Inheritance)

Some behaviors, like intelligence, are largely inherited, but environment is key in bringing those characteristics out in people and fostering them.

Maguire Strengths & Limitations

Strengths - BIT correlation (int), single-blind (int), matched pp characteristics (int) Limitations - Quasi-experiment/couldn't control IV (int), all males (ext)

Draganski Strengths & Limitations

Strengths - Pre and post test shows differences over time (int), experimental attempts to show cause & effect (ext/int?), control group (int) Limitations - Done largely in home environment (extraneous variables) (int), Small sample size (int)

Antonova Strengths & Limitations

Strengths - fMRI increased knowledge/reliability at BLOA (int), double-blind (int) Limitations - small sample size (int), only males (ext)

Troster & Beatty Strengths and Limitations

Strengths - placebo condition (int), cause/effect relationship (ext), treatment for dementia or Alzheimer's disease (ext) Limitations - pp's aware of condition they were in (int), artificial task that doesn't reflect conditions in uncontrolled environment (ext), only males (ext), drugs in human experimentation (int), deception with placebo (int)

Experiment Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: Control for extraneous variables, standardized = replication, cause & effect relationship Limitations: highly controlled, artificial task, demand characteristics, reductionist - too focused on IV

Wedekind Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: Double-blind (int), replicable (Jacob and Yamazaki)(int), cologne industry apps (ext) Limitations: only male impact on female (int), similar in age and culture - not representative (int/ext)

Newcomer Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: Experiment - cause & effect (int), Baseline test - eliminate confounding (int), Double-blind (int), Informed consent - no permanent damage (int) Limitations: Not 100% in lab - no full control over extraneous (int), Cortisol negatively affects memory (int), Placebo = deception (int)

Case Study Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: LOTS of data, holistic (NOT reductionist) Limitations: Researchers may develop more personal relationships with participants which may result in subjective data or different behavior of participants and researchers, Results of case studies are affected by the researcher's beliefs, values, and opinions, May cost a lot of time, effort & money due to the amount of data and time, difficult to replicate, Lacks population validity - the extent to which findings can be generalized to the whole population (Small participant sample)

Raine Strengths & Limitations

Strengths: Matched pairs increases accuracy (int), inclusion of both genders proportionately (ext), pp's gave consent (int) Limitations: violence isn't the only cause of the behavior/the task didn't make them feel violent or angry (ext), studied people likely of the same general region not culturally or ethnically diverse (ext)

Bouchard Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: Methodological triangulation (int), large sample (int), explains variety of behaviors (intelligence, mood, personality, etc) (ext), twins from all over the world (8 countries) (ext) Limitations: Lacks reliable data - observation and memory recall (int), 50 hours testing = pp exhaustion (int), researchers can't anticipate problems between twins (int)

KC6: Pheromones (theory) Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: Research shows that pheromones exist in other animals, smell can play a large role in human decision making when it comes to mating, reliable studies have been conducted. Limitations: Smells aren't necessarily pheromones, there are other variables that play into human scent (bacteria and diet), scent detection is difficult to study, and culture plays a role in what scents smell good and what scents smell bad.

KC7: Evolutionary Behavior (theory) Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: Studies by Wedekind and Ronay & Von Hippel that support it, sexual selection can explain human mating behavior (humans want healthy offspring) Limitations: Hard to test and operationalize mating behaviors, researchers see what they expect to, cultural influences mating/ways to find mates - isn't always for reproduction, unlikely smelling a t-shirt would lead to mating.

Cutler, Friedmann, and McCoy Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: double-blind (int), cologne manufacturing apps (ext), replicable (McCoy & Pitino) (int) Limitations: self-selected sample = certain type of person (int), PP's may discover aim (int), only males (int)

Baumgartner Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: fMRI docs activity during study (int), placebo - cause & effect (int) Limitations: fMRI is an artificial environment - ecological (int), nasal spray not reflect natural physiological process / predict what would happen in a relationship (ext), placebo = deception (int)

Ronay & Von Hippel Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: highly controlled (researcher, time of day, heart rate) (int), naturalistic conditions (field exp) (int) Limitations: independent samples = pp variability (int), tricks not standardized for difficulty (int), reproduction not the goal of the behavior (ext), only males (ext), only in Australia (ext), not aware of observation for mating behavior (ethics) (int)

Scarr & Weinberg Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: large sample size (101), the results could be applied to other personality traits like mood Limitations: no replication (took too long), bias assuming white is superior, IQ isn't only measure of intelligence, IQ of adoptive parents unknown, lack of consideration for late adoptions

KC9: Research Methods at BLOA intro

The biological level of analysis (BLA) states that all cognitions, emotions and behaviors have a physiological basis. Researchers need to have a method for collecting and analyzing data. There are many different/various methods researchers and psychologists use to conduct their studies. Research methods are ways that researchers use and manipulate to conduct their studies. At the BLA the main research methods used are experiments and case studies.

KC4: Neurotransmission Intro

The brain is made up of billions of cells called neurons, and each neuron is connected to thousands of other neurons through its dendrites - tree like branches that carry signals from one neuron to the next. Neurotransmission is the transportation of these nerve impulses from one neuron to the next. Learning allows neurons to form new connections with other neurons, which establishes a new pathway in the brain. When a neural pathway is used repeatedly, the pathway will become stronger, and the more likely this pathway will become activated in the future. On the other hand, lack of use of a pathway will weaken it or the brain will get rid of it completely, known as neural pruning.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters Intro

The brain is made up of neurons, and these neurons connect to each other through dendrites, which are branches at the end of neurons that carry electrical and chemical messages throughout the brain. The transportation of these messages is called neurotransmission. Excitatory neurotransmitters stimulate the brain, which increases the likelihood that an action potential will be fired by the neuron. One excitatory neurotransmitter is ACh, which is known to affect memory. One researcher who investigated the impact of the excitatory neurotransmitter ACh on memory was Antonova.

Cutler, Friedman, and McCoy Link (Pheromones)

There is a connection between an increase in sex pheromones (ethanol) and an increase in sexual activity (with a partner). Pheromones seem to impact/change human behavior.

Antonova Links (Neurotransmission)

This study shows that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine affects the human behavior of memory.

Troster & Beatty Links (Neurotransmission)

This study shows that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine affects the human behavior of memory.

KC6: Pheromones Researchers

Wedekind and Cutler, Friedman, & McCoy

KC7: Evolutionary Behavior Researchers

Wedekind and Ronay & Von Hippel

Wedekind Link (Pheromones, evolutionary behavior)

Wedekind's study shows the potential role of pheromones and evolutionary behaviors on human attraction and sexual selection. This means that MHC may influence human mate choice. We can be more attracted to opposite MHC to create offspring with stronger immune systems.

Research methods (hormones & pheromones) researchers

Wedekind: Lab Experiment Cutler: Field Experiment

Research methods in genes and behavior researchers

Wedekind: Lab Experiment Weissman: Kinship

KC8: Genetic Behavior (Kinship) Researcher

Weissman

KC10: Ethics in Genetics/BLOA Researchers

Weissman and Caspi