Hormone pp
- 1. Love Discussion Questions How is being in love similar to addiction? What advice would you have for someone who is in love? Heartbroken? Does this change the way you think about love? Human behavior? Would “Love Drugs” be ethical? Would you want to take them? Would you be interested in seeing how you or your partner reacts on a biological level to you? Why or why not?
- 2. Hormones
- 3. I.B. Learning Outcome B7- Using one or more examples, explain functions of two hormones in human behavior. I can explain the difference between a neurotransmitter and hormone. I can explain the impact that oxytocin and cortisol have on human behavior.
- 4. Hormones Chemical substances, secreted by organs called glands, that affect the functioning of other organs.
- 5. Hormones vs. Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters are released in the brain Hormones are released by glands in the body. When hormones are active in the brain, they serve as neurotransmitters…
- 6. Example #1: Oxytocin Released by the pituitary gland. Only exists in mammals. Acts primarily as a neurotransmitter. Involved in building bonds, trust, and generosity. The coolest hormone ever!
- 7. Feldman et al. (2012) Hormone: Oxytocin Aim: To investigate the role of Oxytocin in early relationships in young adults. Method: Measured the oxytocin levels of 120 young adults (60 couples of 3 months) and 43 singles. Measured oxytocin levels of the same participants six months later.
- 8. Feldman et al. (2012) Findings: Oxytocin levels were higher for the new couples than the single individuals. High Oxytocin levels at the first test correlated with couples staying together after 6 months. High Oxytocin predicted more affectionate touch, reciprocity, positive emotions, and worries about the partner and relationship. Conclusion: Oxytocin plays a key role in the formation of new romantic relationships among young adults. Critical Thinking: Did not test Oxytocin before falling in love... Ecological Validity?
- 9. Ditzen (2013) Hormone: Oxytocin Aim: To determine the impact of oxytocin on couples’ communication. Method: Had couples either spray oxytocin or a placebo up their nose and engage in a high stress conversation.
- 10. Ditzen (2013) Continued Findings: Oxytocin improved communication and lowered levels of cortisol. Women: showed less social stress Men: showed more social stress and were more engaged in the conversation (Eye contact, smiling, etc.) Conclusions: Oxytocin impacts the ways that couples communicate.
- 11. Example #2: Cortisol Stress hormone Produced in adrenal gland Designed to return the body to homeostasis following a stressful event. Short-term stressors (a car crash, Test) or Long-term stressors (Bullying, Abuse, living in a war zone) can lead it to be released.
- 12. Newcomer et al (1999) Hormone: Cortisol Aim: To determine the role of cortisol on memory. Method: Double-Blind study that had asked three groups to take varying levels of cortisol over a four day period and tested their ability to remember verbal information. 1. High Level: Tablet of 160 mg Cortisol each day…simulates a major stressful event. 2. Low Level: Tablet of 40 mg of Cortisol each day…Simulated a minor stressful event. 3. Placebo: Tablet with no active ingredient.
- 13. Newcomer et al. (1999) continued Findings: The High Level group performed worse on the memory test than the Low Level group. The Low Level group showed no memory decrease when compared with the placebo group. Conclusions: High Levels of cortisol have a negative impact on a person’s ability to recall verbal data.
- 15. Bremner et al. (2003) Learning Outcome: B8, B10, (B5, B7) Aim: To investigate whether prolonged stress (PTSD) reduces the volume of the hippocampus. Method: Participants: War veterans and female adults who were sexually abused as children. (Some had PTSD, but not all) Took MRI scans of brains and had participants take a memory test.
- 16. Bremner et al. (2003) continued Finding: Veterans with the most memory problems had the smallest hippocampus. The Hippocampus of PTSD suffers was smaller than a control group. Conclusions: Chronic stress reduces the volume of the hippocampus and impairs memory. Critical Thinking: Small Sample Size Small Hippocampus leads to PTSD?