Discuss two effects of the environment on physiological processes.

Neuroplasticity Although localization of function does occur… The specific location of that function is not fixed for all individuals. It can change according to environmental demands

Rosenzweig and Bennett (1972) Maguire et al. (2000)

Rosenzweig and Bennett (1972)

Findings Rats in the stimulating environment had an increased thickness in the cortex. The frontal lobe (thinking, planning, decision making) was heavier in the rats that had been in the stimulating environment. Having toys created the best conditions for developing cerebral thickness.

Rosenzweig and Bennett (1972) Issues These findings can be generalized to human only to some extent. it is difficult to decide what is considered to be an enriched environmental for a specific person. Rats were sacrificed (Ethical)?

Maguire et al. (2000) Aim: To investigate whether or not the hippocampus plays a role in human spatial memory

Maguire et al. (2000) Method: London taxi drivers with a range of age and experience were the participants because their work requires the extensive use of spatial navigational skills Matched pairs design: participants were age and gender matched with a control group Two different types of MRI scanning were used to assess how the brains of the taxi drivers differed from the control group Quasi experiment

Maguire et al. (2000) showed significantly more grey matter in both left and right hippocampi of the taxi drivers compared to the control group

Maguire et al. (2000) Evaluation: No ethical implications Only observed males Only observed 16 matched pairs Nature vs. Nurture debate: did the driving influence the change in the hippocampus, or did their larger than average hippocampus lead them to become taxi drivers?