Dilip Rathinakumar

IB Psychology Notes

Biological Level of Analysis

Outline principles that define the biological level of analysis:
1. Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based.
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Thus evolution can play a key role in behaviour.

Evolution = passing of genes by those who best adapts to their environment.
(Survival of the fittest/Natural selection/Selection of traits which are beneficial
to survival and reproduction)

2. Animal Research can provide insight into human behaviour.

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Significant research is done using animals.

3. There are biological correlates of behaviour.

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Possible to find a link between a biological factor and a behaviour.

Specific brain process, neurotransmitters, and hormones play a role in
behaviour.

These principles have driven focused research on behaviour.

Useful in the Nature vs. Nurture debate. (Human behaviour attributed to

biological or environmental factors)
Reductionist approach. Researchers break down complex human physiology
into smaller components to study.

Explain how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be
demonstrated in research. (Use theories/studies)
1. Behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based.
Money-Sex Change Case Study Longitudinal study on David Reimer
Aim: Show tha nurture determines gender identity and not nature.
David was a boy who lost his penis in a circumcision accident.
Money suggested Davids parents to give him a sec change.

Money did not reveal his true motive of this case study.

When David grew up, he displayed masculine behaviour. This shows that
psychosexual development is determined by chromosomes and hormones.
Ethical Guidelines:
Deception and uninformed consent.
No protection from physical and metal harm.
No rights of withdrawal.

Dilip Rathinakumar
IB Psychology Notes
2. Animal Research can provide insight into human behaviour.
Berthold (1849)
Aim: Test effects of testosterone in roosters. Test the effects of castration in
roosters with the assumption that the results would be similar in humans. Used
roosters because of ethical concerns.
Method:
Had 6 Healthy roosters that are castrated.

Group 1 Control = Roosters were left in their own capons.

Group 2 Transplanted with the testicles of another roosters
Group 3 Reimplanted with their own testicles.

Results:

Castrated roosters are less masculine and less aggressive.

Roosters that reacquired testicles behaved like normal roosters again.
Autopsy of roosters revealed that testicles did not re-establish nerve
connections with rest of the body.

Conclusion: Berthold concluded that testicles must have produced a biochemical

that influences aggressive behaviour (testosterone)
These findings support the role of physiological factors (hormones and the
endocrine system) in influencing aggressive behaviour.
The study demonstrates the principle that animal research can provide insight into
human behaviour. Inferences were made to humans about roosters about the effect
of testosterone on behaviour to inform our understanding of aggression in humans.
It highlights the importance of using animals to determine human behaviour.
3. There are biological correlates of behaviour.
Raine et. Al (1997)
Aim: Discover (using PET scans) if murderers who pleaded not guilty by reason of
insanity (NGRI) showed evidence of brain abnormalities (observing the cortical and
subcortical parts of the brain).
Variables:
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IV = whether participant was a NGRI.

DV = PET scan results between control and NGRIs.

Methods:
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41 participants (NGRI)
41 participants (Control)
Each participant injected with glucose tracer for PET Scan.

Dilip Rathinakumar
IB Psychology Notes
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PET Scan shows brain activity.

Participants performed tasks requiring them to detect target signals for 32
minutes.

Results
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NGRIs had less activity in the pre-frontal cortex which is linked to self-control
and emotion.
NGRIs had lower activity in the amygdala and medial temporal hippocampus.
Lack of inhibition of violent behaviour
Fearlessness
Failure to learn consquences for violence.