Which hormones are of particular interest to research psychologists and neuroscientists? What makes them important?
What will be an ideal response?
A good answer will include the following key points:
• Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland deep within the brain; it helps to regulate daily biological rhythms and promotes sleep.
• Oxytocin is secreted by the pituitary gland; it enhances uterine contractions during childbirth and facilitates the ejection of milk during nursing. Oxytocin also contributes to relationships in both sexes by promoting attachment and trust.
• Adrenal hormones are produced by the adrenal glands. They are involved in emotion and stress. Cortisol increases blood sugar levels and boosts energy. Epinephrine (commonly known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine. Adrenal hormones increase arousal level, prepare for action, and enhance memory.
• Sex hormones are secreted by tissue in the gonads (testes in men, ovaries in women) and also by the adrenal glands. The three main types (androgens, estrogens, progesterone) all occur in both sexes but in differing amounts and proportions in males and females after puberty.
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When Pavlov placed food in the mouths of canine subjects, they began to salivate. The salivation was a(n)
a. unconditioned response. b. unconditioned stimulus. c. conditioned response. d. conditioned stimulus. e. discriminative stimulus.
Jack suffered a brain injury as a result of hitting his head while waterskiing
One of the problems that developed was that Jack could not pronounce certain words correctly for a long period of time until he had extensive speech therapy and can now speak as he did before his accident. This is an example of the brain's ______ which allowed the structure and function of his brain cells to change to adjust to the trauma. a. adaptology b. stagnation c. plasticity d. reflex arc e. reflexology