Hormones

Hormones

Using one or more examples, explain functions of two hormones in human behavior

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by glands.

These glands are part of a system called the endocrine system.

Cortisol and Memory• Cortisol is a hormone

produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress and to restore homeostasis.

• Chronic stress may result in prolonged cortisol secretion…

• Which can damage the immune system and impair memory.

Newcomer et al (1999)Experiment on Cortisol and Memory

Aim: To investigate how levels of cortisol levels interfere with verbal declarative memory.


Procedure: A self selected sample (through and advertisement) of 51 normal and healthy people ages 18-30 was used.

• Randomized, controlled and double-blind.

• Three conditions….


• Condition 1: High level of cortisol (160 mg tablet), was given. Same as cortisol released in a stressful event.

• Condition 2: Low level of cortisol (40mg tablet). Same as minor stressful event.

• Condition 3: A placebo


Results: • The high level group

performed worse on verbal memory test than the low level group and placebo group.

• The low level group showed no memory decrease.


Evaluation• It was controlled and

randomized so it was possible to establish a cause and effect relationship.

• They received informed consent.

• Negative effect of cortisol levels was reversible so no harm was done.

Oxytocin and trust• Oxytocin is secreted by the

hypothalamus into the brain and into the bloodstream via the pituitary gland.

• Linked to increase in trust.• Evolutionary psychologist say trust

was critical in forming relationships or staying away from bad ones.

• Learning to trust in vital for survival.• One way it could work is by

reducing fear reactions via the amygdala as a consequence of betrayal.

Baumgartner et all (2008)The role of oxytocin in trust in economic behavior.• Aim: To investigate the role of oxytocin after breaches

of trust in the trust game.• Procedure: The participants played a trust game used

by scientists to study social interaction.

Baumgartner et all (2008)The role of oxytocin in trust in economic behavior.

Procedure:• “Investor” player 1 gets a

sum of money and must decide whether to keep it or share it with a “trustee” (player 2).

• What is shared is tripled.• Player 2 must decide if the

sum should be shared (trust) or kept (violation of trust).


Procedure• fMRI scans were carried

out on all participants.• They received either

oxytocin or placebo via a nasal spray.

• Participants played against different trustees and were given feedback when the trust was broken by the experimenter.


Results• Participants in the placebo

group showed less trust after feedback of betrayal. They invested less.

• Participants in the oxytocin group continued to invest at similar rates after receiving feedback of breech of trust.


• The fMRI scan showed decreases in responses in the amygdala and caudate nucleus.

• Amygdala is a part of our brain that is involved in basic emotions and has many receptors for oxytocin.

• The caudate nucleus is involved in learning and memory and plays a role in reward related responses and trust.


Evaluation• Oxytocin could explain why people

are able to restore trust and forgiveness in long-term relationships.

• fMRI gave us an idea about a possible correlation but gave us nothing definite about cause and effect.

• Giving the oxytocin artificially may not reflect a true physiological process.

• Oxytocin is very complex and it is too simplistic to call it the :trust hormone”.

Documents

Hormones