Foundations on Neuropsychology

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1. Explain the concept of conformity and the factors that contribute to it.
2. What is compliance, and what are their three (3) strategies for inducing it?
3. Analyze the concept of obedience and the factors to increase it.
4. How do group membership, performance, and decision-making influence us?
5. What is aggression? Identifies the factors that influence to decrease or increase aggressive behavior.
6. Explain in your own word the concept of altruism and the evolutionary theory of helping.
7. What are the three (3) models for helping altruism? Explain each of them.
8. Explain in your own words Sternberg’s triangular theory of love and their stages and types.
Part II
1. Define in your own words the concept of neuropsychology.
2. How does localization brain theory differ from equipotentiality brain theory?
3. What are the contributions of the localization brain theory and the equipotentiality brain theory?
4. What are the professionals who study the brain? Explain the function of each of them.
5. Why is Luria’s functional model of the brain such an important step in understanding brain functions?

Sample Solution

Part I: Social Psychology Concepts

1. Conformity: Conformity is the tendency to adjust our behavior or beliefs to match those of a group. We conform for various reasons, including:

  • Social pressure: We fear rejection or disapproval from the group.
  • Informational influence: We conform to gain information about a situation, especially when unsure.
  • Normative influence: We conform to avoid social disapproval or maintain group harmony.

Factors influencing conformity:

  • Group size: Larger groups exert greater pressure to conform.
  • Unanimity: When everyone else seems to agree, it’s harder to dissent.
  • Cohesiveness: The stronger the group bond, the more likely we are to conform.
  • Public vs. private behavior: We conform more in public situations.

2. Compliance: Compliance is acting in accordance with a request, even if we disagree. People comply due to various factors, and here are three strategies to induce it:

  • Legitimate authority: People tend to obey figures of perceived authority (e.g., uniforms, titles).
  • Reciprocity: We feel obligated to return favors or concessions (e.g., “foot-in-the-door” technique).
  • Scarcity: We value things that are limited or seem rare (e.g., “limited-time offer”).

3. Obedience: Obedience is the willingness to follow a command, even if it conflicts with our morals. Factors that increase obedience include:

  • Legitimate authority: People are more likely to obey those they perceive as legitimate authorities.
  • Uniformity: Seeing others obey makes it more likely to follow suit.
  • Diffusion of responsibility: We feel less responsible for negative outcomes in a group setting.
  • Gradual escalation of requests: Small initial requests lead to compliance with larger ones later.

4. Group Influence:

  • Group membership: We tend to favor our in-group and may act differently based on group affiliation (e.g., team spirit).
  • Performance: Groups can improve performance on some tasks due to social facilitation (arousal and motivation).
  • Decision-making: Group discussions can lead to better-informed decisions, but also groupthink (uncritical acceptance of group ideas).

5. Aggression: Aggression is hostile behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally. Several factors can influence aggression:

Decrease aggression:

  • Empathy: Understanding the other person’s feelings can reduce aggression.
  • Conflict resolution skills: Effective communication and problem-solving skills can prevent aggression.
  • Positive social norms: Cultures that value non-violence tend to have lower aggression rates.

Increase aggression:

  • Frustration: Obstacles or delays can lead to aggressive behavior.
  • Provocation: Being attacked or threatened can trigger aggression.
  • Pain: Physical pain can lower inhibitions and increase aggression.
  • Social cues: Observing violence can make aggression seem more acceptable.
  • Exposure to violence: Media portrayals of violence can desensitize people.

6. Altruism and Evolutionary Theory:

Altruism is helping others at a cost to oneself. Evolutionary theory suggests that altruism can exist because it can benefit our genes indirectly. Helping relatives or those likely to share our genes promotes the survival of our genetic lineage.

7. Models of Altruism:

  • Kin selection: Helping relatives promotes the survival of shared genes (e.g., parents helping children).
  • Reciprocal altruism: Helping others with the expectation of being helped in return (e.g., scratching someone’s back).
  • Altruism by reputation: Helping others to build a reputation for cooperation and trustworthiness (e.g., volunteering).

8. Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love:

Sternberg suggests love has three components that can combine in different ways to create various types of love:

  • Intimacy: Emotional closeness, feeling understood and supported.
  • Passion: Arousal, excitement, physical attraction.
  • Commitment: Decision to stay together, a sense of loyalty and responsibility.

Love can develop and change over time as the balance of these components shifts:

  • Companionate love (intimacy + commitment): Close friendship with deep affection.
  • Passionate love (passion + intimacy): Intense feelings, excitement, and physical attraction.
  • Consummate love (all three components): Complete love with intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Part II: Brain and Behavior

1. Neuropsychology:

Neuropsychology is the field that studies the relationship between the brain and our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It examines how damage to specific brain regions can affect these functions and how healthy brain activity supports them.

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