Tag Archives: Biological Psychology

Hall and Player (2008) Criminal Revision H567

Hall & Player (2008) – Fingerprint Analysis

A Level Psychology H567, Applied Psychology, Biological, Criminal Psychology, , , ,

Hall, L. J., & Player, E. (2008). Will the introduction of an emotional context affect fingerprint analysis and decision-making?. Forensic Science International, 181(1), 36-39.

Background

This is a study you may need for your OCR H567, Applied Psychology exam. It is from the criminal psychology unit. It considers the topic: The collection and processing of forensic evidence (biological). The application for this study is at least one strategy for reducing bias in the collection and processing of forensic evidence. 

For this criminal psychology unit, it is highly recommended that you read Forensic Psychology: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) to gain a deeper understanding of criminal psychology.

It is accepted that an expert in any discipline, as opposed to a novice, is able to demonstrate their increased competencies and cognitive processing skills, which have been enhanced with extensive training and practice. It is often said ‘that practice makes perfect’.
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Raine et al (1997)

Raine et al (1997) – Brain Abnormalities in Murderers

A Level Psychology H567, Applied Psychology, Biological, Criminal Psychology, , , ,

Raine, A., Buchsbaum, M., & LaCasse, L. (1997). Brain abnormalities in murderers indicated by positron emission tomography. Biological psychiatry,42(6), 495-508.

Background

This is a study you may need for your OCR H567, Applied Psychology exam. It is from the criminal psychology unit. It considers the topic: What makes a criminal (biological). The application for this study is at least one biological strategy for preventing criminal behaviour. 

Several previous research studies have suggested that damage to the pre-frontal cortex may cause individuals to become increased in impulsivity, immaturity. It may also caused altered emotionality, loss of self-control and the inability to modify behaviour. The combination of all of these behavioural deficits may lead to increased aggressive behaviour (Damasio, Tranel & Damasio. 1990; Weiger and Bear 1988).

Damasio et al. (1990) suggested that after damage to the pre-frontal cortex, previously normal individuals would display behaviour which would be considered abnormal and they would display deficits in decision making and planning.
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Sperry (1968) - Split Brain Study Evaluation

Sperry (1968) – Split Brain Study

A Level Psychology H567, AS Psychology H167, Biological Psychology, Biological Psychology, , ,

Sperry, R. W. (1968). Hemisphere deconnection and unity in conscious awareness. American Psychologist, 23(10), 723.

This is the classic biological psychology study which you will look at for your H167 AS OCR Psychology exam. You will also need this study for your OCR H567 A Level Psychology core studies exam.

Background

The theme of the biological psychology studies in the H167  exam is regions of the brain. This study by Sperry (1968) has the tagline by OCR: Split-brain Study. 

What does it mean to have a ‘split-brain’?

The brain is composed of two cerebral hemispheres: the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. These hemispheres are connected in the brain by the corpus callosum, and other smaller connections, but we need not worry about them here. Having a ‘split-brain’ simply means that the corpus callosum has been severed.

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Casey et al., (2011) Behavioural and Neural Correlates of Delay of Gratification

A Level Psychology H567, AS Psychology H167, Biological Psychology, Biological Psychology, , ,

Casey, B. J., Somerville, L. H., Gotlib, I. H., Ayduk, O., Franklin, N. T., Askren, M. K., … & Glover, G. (2011). Behavioral and neural correlates of delay of gratification 40 years later. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(36), 14998-15003.

This is the contemporary biological psychology study which you will look at for your H167 AS OCR Psychology exam. You will also need this study for your OCR H567 A Level Psychology core studies exam.

Background

The theme of the biological psychology studies in the H167  exam is regions of the brain. This study by Casey et al., (2011) focuses on the behavioural and neural correlates of delay of gratification. 

Sounds like a mouthful?

Don’t worry, it’s easier than you’d imagine.

What are the behavioural and neural correlates of delay of gratification?

Let’s cover the first part. Behavioural and neural. Behavioural simply refers to any act or response to a stimulus. Neural simply refers to brain activity.

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