BIOLOGICAL APPROACH

Draginski (Techniques/Neuroplasticity) whether learning a new skill - in this case, juggling - would
affect the brains of participants.
Maguire ((Techniques/Neuroplasticity/Localization) whether the brains of London taxi drivers would
be somehow different as a result of their exceptional knowledge of the city and the many hours that
they spend behind the wheel navigating the streets of London.
Caspi et al (Neurotransmitter/insight into human behaviour) to determine whether there is evidence for
a gene-environment interaction (G x E) for a mutation of the serotonin transporter gene - 5-HTT. The
serotonin transporter is involved in the reuptake of serotonin in brain synapses.
Crockett et al (Neurotransmitter)the effect of serotonin on prosocial behavior.Crockett et al. showed the
effects of serotonin on prosocial behavior. They found that elevated serotonin levels cause people to
reject the idea of harming someone, which promotes prosocial behavior and reduces the likelihood of
justifying aggression.
Newcomer et al (Hormones) to investigate whether high levels of the stress hormone cortisol interfere
with verbal declarative memory.
The aim of McGaugh and Cahill's(Hormones) study was to study the role of emotion in the creation of
memories.
Bouchard et al. (1990)(Genetic Similarity) “Minnesota study of twins”. Psychological traits determined
by genetic and environment influences? Monozygotic twins separated about the same as those raised
together
Wedekind (Evolution/Pheromones) The aim of the study was to determine whether one's MHC would
affect mate choice. The study seems to support an evolutionary argument for mate selection in humans.
Mc Clintok (Pheromones) Shows that when women live together in close proximity, their menstrual
cycles begin to align - a phenomenon known as menstrual synchronicity.
Weissman et al (2005)(Genes) carried out a longitudinal family study on grandchildren and their
parents and grandparents to study the potential genetic nature of Major Depressive Disorder.
Cases et al (1995) (Insight into human behaviour) carried out a study on the genetic origins of
aggression. For their study, they used a transgenic mouse where the gene that regulates the production
of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), an enzyme that breaks down serotonin and norepinephrine, was
‘knocked out” or deleted.
Kendler et al(genetic similarity) carried out a study to determine the role that genetics plays in major
depressive disorder
Rogers and Kesner (Neurostransmitter/value of animal model) the aim of the study was to determine
the role of acetylcholine in the formation of spatial memory.
Rasmusson and Dadar (1979) (Antagonist) They want to see what happens when acetylcholine
receptors are blocked and the neurons are "not allowed" to fire.

Ronay and von Hippel (2010)(evolution) was to determine if males would take greater risks in the
presence of an attractive female. To do this, the levels of testosterone were also tested.
Sapolsky(animal model) carried out an observation of animal behavior - as well as a natural
experiment: he wanted to see the effect of a naturally occurring hierarchy on the health of the
baboons.
Ethical Consideration Any study may be used to discuss ethical considerations as long as there is a
clear link to behavior.
BIOLOGICAL AND COGNITIVE APPROACH
Sharot et al (Localization/Techniques/emotion affect cognitive process) to determine the potential role
of biological factors on flashbulb memories.
COGNITIVE APPROACH
Anderson and Pitchert (Schema) investigated the potential role of schema in the encoding and
recall of a story.
Brewer and Treyens (Schema) wanted to study the role of schema in the encoding and retrieval of
memory. To do so, they carried out an experiment to see how well people could recall what was in an
office.
Murdock's (memory model)study is usually identified as the one that defined the serial position
effect in the linear presentation of information.
Glanzer and Cunitz(memory model) wanted to see if the interval of time between words on a list
would increase the number of words recalled at the start of the list.
Brown & Kulik(Flashbulb Memory) proposed that some events can be remembered as though our
mind had photographed them
Loftus & Palmer (Reliability memory)) wanted to see the role of leading questions in influencing
the memories of eyewitnesses.
Bahrick et al(Reliability Memory) the study was to investigate the reliability of autobiographical
memory over time - specifically the names and faces of the people that went to school with us.
Tversky and Kahnemann(Bias) that demonstrates the power of anchoring bias. Participants in the
“ascending condition” were asked to quickly estimate the value.
Sparrow et al (Effect of tech on C) wondered if the Internet has become an enormous transactive
memory store.So there is no need to memorise
Newhagen and Reeves (Effect of tech on C) wanted to see if emotive images in the news media
affect one's ability to recall information about the news story.
Mueller and Oppenheimer(+/- effect of tech on C) wanted to see if the act of taking notes by hand
would be more effective than taking notes on a computer in a university lecture.
Landry and Bartling (2011) (working memory model/research method)conducted an experiment
using articulatory suppression to test the Working Memory Model. The aim was to investigate if
articulatory suppression would influence the recall of a written list of phonologically dissimilar
letters in serial recall.
Englich and Mussweiler is a study of anchoring bias. The researchers wanted to determine the
effect of a prosecutor's suggestion for sentencing on the decision-making of a judge.

COGNITIVE AND SOCIOCULTURAL

Kulkofsky et al (2011) (role of culture in cognitive process/cultural dimension)carried out a study of
the role of culture on flashbulb memory.
Hamilton and Gifford (formation of stereotypes/cognitive biases) Availability heuristic
Chen et al (cultural dimension/decisionmaking)The aim of the study was to investigate the role of
Confucian Work Dynamism (Long-term orientation) on an individual's buying habits.
SOCIOCULTURAL APPROACH
Bandura(SCT) The study was investigating whether children could learn aggressive behavior by
watching the behavior of adults.
Berry's (role of culture on behavior/cultural dimension) research suggested that hunting and
fishing societies tend to be individualistic, whereas agricultural societies tend to be collectivistic.
Harris & Fiske (2006) (formation of stereotype/SIT)studied the role of the brain in prejudice.When
white students look at photos of a black male, there is a neurological response when categorizing
someone as a member of an out-group.
Norasakkunkit & Uchida(globalization effect/ interaction of global and local cultural) Japanese youth
may not see the benefit of conformity and social harmony which is characteristic of Japanese
society and yet do not feel that they are part of the globalized community and its values.
Steele & Aronson (effect of stereotypes) The aim of the study was to see how stereotype threat
affects test performance in African Americans.
Tajfel's(SIT) research was to investigate if intergroup discrimination would take place based on
being put into different groups.
Lueck & Wilson(acculturation) aim of this study was to investigate the variables that may predict
acculturative stress in a nationally representative sample of Asian immigrants and Asian
Americans.
Fagot (enculturation)studied parent-child interactions,the goal of this study was to observe the
parents' reaction when children’s behavior was (or was not) “gender appropriate."
Festinger (ethics) carried out a study of a small UFO cult called the Seekers that believed that a
great flood was imminent but spacemen would rescue those who were true believers.
Novotny and Polonsky (2011) (globalization effect/ interaction of global and local cultural)
understands the rate of prejudice against Muslims in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Miranda and Matheny (2000)(Acculturation) wanted to see which factors in the lives of Latino
immigrants to the United States would decrease the level of acculturative stress.
Hilliard and Liben (2010)(Enculturation) carried out a study to determine how social category
salience may play a role in the development of stereotypes in elementary school children.