Neurotransmitters-backround info

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dendrites

CAT scan: computerized axial tomography

To diagnose injuries, bleeding, fractures, tumors, strokes
PET scan: positron emission tomography
To diagnose heart diseases, tumors, cancer, alzheimers, parkinsons disease, depression, bipolar
disease, schizophrenia
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
2d or 3d image, BRAIN STRUCTURE, it creates a 3-dimensional image of the brain. Has magnetic
field along with radio waves to map the activity of hydrogen molecules. Works to excite
hydrogen, emits energy but then stops working so the issue turns to its original state. Starts
again… advantage of an MRI is that there’s no exposure to radiation, we get a good image of the
soft tissue. Theres no ecological validity issues.
Disadvantage is more expensive, you can’t use it on certain people such as claustrophobic
people, autistics, Tourette’s, kids, pets. It looks at structure only and not function. We get
correlational results.
fMRI: functional magnetic resonance imaging
temporal resolution: the smallest time period in which changes in brain activity can be
registered. It is about 1 second for the fmri
disadvantage is itrs slow and ecological validity is low expensive, noises
EEG: electroencephalograph

Title(s) of Research Researcher(s) Year(s) Published

Role of dopamine in love fisher

Knowledge and Understanding (SAQ-level)

Approach Topic from IB Theory / Model Key Concepts / Terms

Biological Syllabus Neurotransmitters, techniques to study the Dopamine, fmri,
Brain and brain, human relationships
 behavior neurotransmission

This study can be also used in (approach/topic/question):

Research Methodology (SAQ-level)

Aim
To see what role dopamine plays in the brain, how it responds to love

Participants and Sampling

10 men, 7 women mean age is 21 yrs old, sampling technique is through flyers, self selecting, opportunity.
Mean duration of being in love is 7 months

Method / Design / Procedure

Lab experiment. Procedure is participants went through a fmri scan and step 1 they look at a picture of their
loved ones 30 seconds. Step 2 is they were given an activity for 40 seconds. Step 3 is they were shown a
picture of an acquaintance. Another 20 seconds the filler task, counting back from a number. This procedure
was repeated 6 times.

Results/Findings
Fmri showed activationin two areas mainly the VTA, ventral tegmental area and caudate nucleus both of
which are part of dopaminergic pathway in the brain.

Conclusions
Dopamine is related to romantic love since dopamine rich areas of the brain when a participant felt love.

Critical Thinking - Analysis & Evaluation (ERQ-level)

Strengths (be specific; at least 2) Limitations (be specific; at least 2)

Small sample size so low generalizability for findings.

Ethical Considerations Other content, context, considerations ...

Reductunist approach to learn the behavior of love.

Related Psychological Research (ERQ-level)

Extension Critique

Notes: How would I use this study? What point does it illustrate?