1. BLOA – from principles to practice Mon Oct 14th 2013 4 pm (HL) & 5pm (SL) GMT [Week 6] Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash1

2. These are the learning outcomes for this lesson Outline principles that define the biological level of analysis Explain how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be demonstrated in research (through theories and/or studies) Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the biological level of analysis Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash2

3. SQ3R method SQ3R stands for the steps in reading: survey (skim read), question, read, recite, review. It is a useful way to make sure that you really understand something Let’s try it now with the principles and methods of the BLOA Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash3

4. BLOA principles –survey/skim read Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based Animal research can provide insight into human behaviour There are biological correlates of behaviour Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash4

5. BLOA principles – question? Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based Animal research can provide insight into human behaviour There are biological correlates of behaviour What does each of these mean, in your own words? Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash5

6. BLOA principles – question? Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based Animal research can provide insight into human behaviour There are biological correlates of behaviour What kind of method does each of these suggest? [For a start – quantitative or qualitative? Then each one in particular?] Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash6

7. BLOA principles – question? Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based Animal research can provide insight into human behaviour There are biological correlates of behaviour Can you think of an example of a study for each of these methods? Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash7

8. BLOA principles – read again Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based, that is to say (which means) that how humans behave is inborn - it is inherited from their parents and grandparents. It is passed on in their genes. Possible method -correlational studies using twins, siblings or adopted children to measure the correlation found between them in a certain behaviour. Example: The Minnesota Twin Study, from 1979 onwards, reported by Bouchard et al. (1990), p54-55 Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash8

9. 9 Principle – human behaviour is innate, to a greater or lesser extent inherited Method – correlational study Example - Minnesota twin study (Bouchard et al, 1990) BLOA principles – recite and review (summary) Charles Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection (1859) and Evolutionary Psychology ( Image source: http://darwinday.org/learn-more/about-evolution/)

10. BLOA principles – read again Animal research can provide insight into human behaviour, that is to say (which means) that the results from animal research can in many cases be used to make an argument about human behaviour, because many animals' brains and nervous systems are very similar to those of humans. Possible method - animal studies with the results generalised where possible to humans. Example: Martinez and Kesner (1991), p41 Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash10

11. Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash11 Principle – animal research informs understanding of human behaviour Method – animal studies Example – Martinez and Kesner, 1991 BLOA principles – recite and review (summary) Image source: www.animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/

12. BLOA principles – read again There are biological correlates of behaviour, that is to say (which means) that when we do something or even think about something, within our brain and body, physical changes are taking place that we are often not aware of. [Neurotransmitter and hormone activity, especially]. Possible method - a study using one of the brain- scanning technologies (PET, CAT, EEG, MRI, fMRI as appropriate) to examine the brain activity of a person engaged in a certain activity. Example: Davidson (2004), p 47 Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash12

13. Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash13 Principle – biological correlates of behaviour Method – study using brain scanning technology Example Davidson, 2004 BLOA principles – recite and review (summary) Images from wikimedia creative commons and Flickr creative commons

14. Strengths and limitations of the BLOA research methods. (See Quantitative and Experimental methods reading). StrengthsLimitations Well-controlled lab experiments can suggest bidirectional relationship between brain activity and human behaviour. (See youtube films by Dr Ramachandran on mirror neurons, for example). Misleading - neuroimaging techniques can suggest stronger relationship between brain and behaviour (through their well- defined and colourful visuals) than is true. Can lead to breakthroughs in treatment for disorders, based on research into the activity of neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain and body. Research into disorders is often based on animal studies, for ethical reasons, and the results are not easily generalised to humans. Longitudinal correlational (twin or adoption) studies can provide a large amount of evidence for the heritability of some human behaviours. These studies are often criticised for their lack of adequate control of variables, for researcher bias and for conflicting results. Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash14

15. Ethical considerations Need to ensure careful treatment of animals used in studies Informed consent, confidentiality and avoidance of distress when conducting, and releasing results from, genetic testing Consideration of participants’ feelings in potentially sensitive twin and adoption studies Fully informed consent regarding participants undergoing a scanning procedure Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash15

16. Finally – more than just fun… Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash16 See this short video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGglw8eAikYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGglw8eAikY

17. Most recent research in the field of neuroscience 1.A recent breakthrough towards finding an eventual cure for the neurodegenerative diseases of Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s. This research receives a very balanced review here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24478942 (Note how the researchers used animal studies and also brain-scanning technology). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24478942 2.A report on a 21 year longitudinal study into twins and correlation – surprising news! http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jun/02/twins-identical- genes-different-health-study?CMP=twt_gu http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jun/02/twins-identical- genes-different-health-study?CMP=twt_gu 3.Critical view of the implications of neuroimaging – the brain is not the mind. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jun/30/brain-mind- behaviour-neuroscience-neuroimaging–http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jun/30/brain-mind- behaviour-neuroscience-neuroimaging 4.Finally, a great interview demonstrating the power of neuroplasticity, with a little girl who had half her brain removed, which is not as rare as you might think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MKNsI5CWoUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MKNsI5CWoU Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash17

18. Do you have questions? Dr Cipinko and Dr Swash18