Week 5

Command Terms
October 7, 2015
05.01 Principles of the BLOA

Read pp. 38-39 from Section 2.1 Biological Level of Analysis:

Physiology and Behaviour of the Course Companion eText.
Read pp. 1-10 of the Pamoja Supplementary eText, The Biological
Level of Analysis: Section 1.A Principles and research methods of
the BLOA.

2.1 Biological level of analysis: physiology and behaviour

human beings should be studied as biological systems
environment and cognition
bidirectional i.e. biology can affect cognition and cognition can affect biology
Many physiological factors can play a role in behaviour
it responds to environmental stimuli
nature versus nurture debate: researchers debate whether human behaviour is
the result of biological or environmental factors
interactionist approach: does not rely solely on either nature (biological) or
nurture (environment), but adopts a more holistic picture of human behaviour
BLOA is based on certain principles about human behaviour
o behaviour can be innate because it is genetically based- evolution
o animal research can provide insight into human behaviour
o there are biological correlates of behaviour (possible to find a link
between a specific biological factor and a specific behaviour)
reductionist approach
o micro-level of research, breaks down complex human behaviour into its
smallest parts
no easy answers to complex questions

neurons are a building block of behavior

o send electrochemical messages to the brain so that people can respond
to stimuli
o by neurotransmission
o axon: body of the neuron
o synapse: gap between neurons
o terminal buttons: where neurotransmitters are stored
o neurotransmitters fit into receptor sites on the post-synaptic membrane
o reuptake: neurotransmitters are either broken down or reabsorbed by the
terminal buttons

The Biological Level of Analysis (BLOA)

Principles of the BLOA

physiological and evolutionary explanations for behaviour.

o behaviour is inherited and is related to physical processes
principles
o Patterns of behaviour can be inherited.
evolution by natural selection
human behaviors are useful adaptations
part of personality and behavior are inherited from parents
(heritability)
ex. Olson in 2001 observed identical and fraternal twins to
find that 35% of 30 attitude factors are a combinations
from inheritance and environment
o There are biological correlates to behaviour.
physical parallels: feeling can be scanned in brain and nervous
system
ex. Brefczynski-Lewis in 2007 investigated brain regions
compared the brain activity of highly-experienced Tibetan
monks during meditation with the activity of novice
meditators
to find meditation activated attention-related brain regions
in both expert meditators and novices
o Non-human animal research may inform our understanding of human
behaviour
animal brains have same function of human brains
over 95% of the mouse genome is similar to humans
o Pedersen and Boccia in 2003 investigated the role
of the hormone oxytocin (that acts as a
neurotransmitter in the brain) in mothering
behaviour.
o group with the reduced oxytocin decreased the
amount of time spent grooming their babies and
instead spent more time grooming themselves
o mothers with increased oxytocin, conversely, spent
more time grooming and feeding the babies
Research Methods at the BLOA
Correlational studies
o focus on finding a relationship between a behaviour and inherited traits.
This relationship is called the amount of heritability that a behaviour has
o twin studies and adoption studies
o how much different behaviours are the result of genes and how much is
down to environmental influences
ex. Santtila in 2008 researched same-sex attraction and
homosexuality
identical twins are more likely to be homosexual than non-identical
Case studies
o in-depth and detailed study of an individual or a particular group in order
to obtain a deep understanding of behaviour
o research focusing on correlations between brain structure and/or activity
and behaviour

ex. Mitchell in 2012 ) researched the link between alcohol consumption

and users subjective experience of pleasure
o problem drinkers might experience a subjectively greater high
compared to social drinkers as the result of increased endorphin activity
in critical regions of their brains
Laboratory experiments
o e identifying a cause and effect relationship between two variables
ex. Van Dongen in 2003 conducted research into sleep
deprivation, including total sleep deprivation and severe sleep
reduction
The results showed that those receiving only 4 or 6 hours of
sleep demonstrated a significant decrease in ability to perform
cognitive tasks that worsened over the period.
lack of self-awareness of cognitive impairment and sleepiness
o

Ethics and Research Methods at the BLOA

The guidelines ensure that animal researchers avoid or minimise stress and
suffering for all living animals
In human research, the participants must have given informed consent; they
should not be deceived; confidentiality has to be maintained; they should be
debriefed after the experiment, and allowed to withdraw themselves or their data
at any time.

Cognitive Level of Analysis (CLOA)

Sociocultural Level of Analysis (SCLOA)
Levels of Analysis
Level 1: Knowledge and Understandingimportant for both essays and short answers.
Level 2: Application and Analysisimportant for both essays and short answers.
Level 3: Synthesis and Evaluationimportant for essays.
https://webcontent.pamojaeducation.com/Content/sso/course-companion/psychologyeText/LOAS.pdf
Why might a person touch their face when theyre stressed or bored?
Why might a person decide not to wait in a line and instead cut ahead?
Why might a person become an alcoholic when they are in a stressful situation?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=50tlF3kGbT4http://www.humanillnesses.com/Behavioral-Health-Fe-Mu/Genetics-andBehavior.html

IB Psychology
Name: Natalie Cassello
October 2015
Teacher: Helen Loughran

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Learning Outcomes
Outline principles that define the BLOA.
Explain how principles that define the BLOA may be demonstrated in
research (theories and/or studies).
Section 1
In this first table write the principles in your own words. An
example has been provided for you.

Principles

In my own words

Patterns of behaviour can be

inherited.

An example:
In other words how humans behave is inborn - it is inherited
from parents and grandparents. It is passed on in their
genes. For example Johan Sebastian Bach, a famous
musician, came from a long line of musicians that stretched
back six generations. The Jackson family, Michael and his
brothers and sister, is another example.

Patterns of behaviour can be

inherited.

In my own words:
Its believed that behavior is based on biology. Through
evolution, traits have adapted by natural selection in
order to narrow down the traits most useful to humans.
For example, in 2001 Olson experimented on twins to
estimate that a third of personality and behavioral traits
are inherited from parents and environment.
In my own words:
Physical parallels can be seen in scans of the brain and
nervous system, meaning feelings are connected to
regions of the brain. For example, in 2007 BrefczynskiLewis observed the brains of Tibetan and novice
meditators and found that attention-related brain regions
were activated.
In my own words:
Animal brains have the same functions as human brains.
For example, in 2003 Pedersen and Boccia looked at the

There are biological correlates to

behaviour

Non-human animal research may

inform our understanding of
human behaviour.

levels of the hormone oxytocin in mice. He discovered

that lower levels decrease mothering behavior and more
selfish actions, while mothers with more of the hormone
spent more time tending to her babies.

Section 2
In the table below you can see how a particular principle
guides research on a question about behaviour. Read the
example and then think of your own research question and
approaches.
Research Question: Why might a person tap their foot when they are angry?

Principles

Approach

Patterns of behaviour
can be inherited.

The researcher working from the first principle, that

patterns of behaviour may be inherited, might look at
the parents of the participant they are investigating, or
siblings to see if they also tap their foot when angry,
and from that decide that it is probably an inherited
behaviour.
The research working from the second principle, that
there are biological correlates to behaviour, might use
brain scanning technology to see what was happening
in the brain and probably also check the brain activity
of a non-angry human to compare the activity.
The researcher working from the third principle, that
non-human research may inform our understanding of
human behaviours, might look inside the brains of
animals that tap their feet as a warning sign when
angry - like rabbits - to see which parts of the brain are
activated. The researcher could then just say "it is
probably the same in humans" or s/he might then look
inside the brain of the angry, foot-tapping human
(stress that brain-scanning technology could be sued
for this - we are not talking about "lifting the lid" here)
and see if there is a relationship between what went on
in the animal brain and what is going on with the
human.

There are biological

correlates to behaviour

Non-human animal
research may inform
our understanding of
human behaviour.

My research question: Why might a person become an alcoholic when

they are in a stressful situation?

Principles

Approach

Patterns of behaviour
can be inherited.

The background of alcoholism in the family can be

investigated to see if the trait can be inherited.
However, the environment is also a major factor in
each individual situation. If parents and siblings tend
to struggle with this issue, it can be determined if the
participant inherited the behavior based on their
genes.
The brain activity in specific regions will be observed
in stressful situations compared to another human
who is in a happy, non-stressful point of their life.

There are biological

correlates to behaviour

Non-human animal
research may inform our
understanding of human
behaviour.

A similar experiment can be done using elephants

and monkeys in Africa that eat marula to get drunk.
Do they purposely eat the fruit to get drunk or simply
because they are hungry. Would they be considered
alcoholics if the consistently eat the same foods? The
researcher could ask if the situation is the same with
humans drinking alcohol.

05.03 Introducing the Command Terms

Review p. 59 of the IB Psychology Guide.

define, outline, analyze, distinguish, describe, state, apply, explain

Command
Term

Definition

Analyse

Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.

Apply

Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in relation to a given problem or issue.

Compare

Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring
to both (all) of them throughout.

Compare and
contrast

Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items or
situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Contrast

Give an account of the differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring
to both (all) of them throughout.

Define

Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity.

Describe

Give a detailed account.

Discuss

Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or
hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by

appropriate evidence.
Distinguish

Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items.

Evaluate

Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.

Examine

Consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and

interrelationships of the issue.

Explain

Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.

Outline

Give a brief account or summary.

State

Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.

To what extent

Consider the merits or otherwise of an argument or concept. Opinions and conclusions

should be presented clearly and supported with appropriate evidence and sound
argument.

SAQ: short answer question

answered in a focused and effective manner and meets the demands of the command term

Journal Activity
Imagine we are having a virtual chocolate feast as everyone in the class has brought different
types of chocolate or different chocolate desserts along to the class to chat about. How would you
respond using the following command terms (the first one has been done for you):

Command
Term

Terms related to chocolate feast

Define

If define was the command term I would give a definition of what chocolate actually is in terms of its
physical properties.

Describe

If describe was the command term I would give a detailed account as to what each of the chocolate
desserts look, taste, smell, and feel like.

Outline

If outline was the command term I would briefly account for the range of treats that each student brought.

State

If state was the command term I would briefly name each of the chocolates and who brought each one.

Analysis

If analysis was the command term I would break down the different types of chocolate desserts in order to
bring out the essential elements of each individual chocolate, as well as which country each one came
from.

Apply

If apply was the command term I would state a problem or issue with an idea or principle. For example,
chocolate tastes terrible with all fruits except bananas.

Distinguish

If distinguish was the command term I would make clear the differences between two or more of the
concepts. For example, chocolate tastes bad with all fruits except bananas, it looks beautiful with only
oranges.

Explain

If explain was the command term I would give detailed reasons and causes for chocolate combining well
with some foods, but not others.

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Compare

If compare was the command term I would account for the similarities between all the chocolates from all
over the world. For example, all of the chocolates are made from coco and are sweet.

Compare and
Contrast

If compare and contrast was the command term I would account for all of the similarities and differences,
making sure to refer to all of the desserts throughout.

Contrast

If contrast was the command term I would account for all of the differences of all of the chocolates. It may
be easier to group the desserts into different categories. For example, only desserts in group A use
strawberries, group B has peanuts, etc.

Discuss

If discuss was the command term I would collect opinions and conclusions from my peers as evidence to
find out which dessert was the best.

Evaluate

If evaluate was the command term I would look at the strengths and weaknesses of each dessert to make
an appraisal as to which chocolate was truly the most delicious.

Examine

If examine was the command term I would consider the concepts of the issue to uncover any assumptions
or interrelationships. For example, if the issue was strawberries with chocolate is the worst decision
someone could ever make, then theres an assumption that the person probably doesnt like strawberries.

To what
extent

If to what extent was the command term I would consider the merits of the argument. Any conclusions
would be clearly supported with evidence. For example, it was concluded that the chocolate desserts with
banana were the worst because the bananas has started to rot. This can be proved because the bananas
were brown.

05.05 Guest Presentation: The Importance of Learning Outcomes

Outcomes
Learning Outcomes are a key component of the IB Psychology Course. They state exactly what
you need to learn and how you will demonstrate your mastery of that learning. They challenge
you to think deeply about important concepts and theories in psychology.

http://blogs.pamojaeducation.com/psychology/2012/01/30/importance/
Write a one sentence comment that sums up your understanding of the role of the Learning
Outcomes in the course
In psychology, Learning Outcomes are like the target that your education is aimed towards and
are associated with command terms, which allow you to meet the assessment objective.
In psychology, command terms are like a restaurant in which every member of staff has their own
job, some being more important than others, but all necessary to create good service, or learning
outcomes.

http://blogs.pamojaeducation.com/psychology/2012/01/30/importance/
comment-page-12/#comment-1716

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