Physiology & Behavior
The relationship between mind and
body
LAQ: In class assessment
The LAQ (Long Answer Question)
• On Wednesday 1st of December you will complete your first in
class LAQ (long answer question) This will count as a Major
Assignment.
• You have one hour to answer 1 question and it is done under exam
conditions and you will not be able to use any notes.
• The 1 question on the test will come from two possible questions
which you will need to review for – you will not know until the day
of the test which one you will need to answer.
• You should prepare outlines/ practice writing essays for both of
these questions in advance so you are well prepared for the test
on Wednesday. Come and see me in tutorial with your outlines.
• Your answer should be about 1000 words long, and you must
EVALUATE the research/theory for this type of question
You will write an in class essay for one
of these two questions….
Questions :
1. With reference to research studies discuss
two effects of the environment on
physiological processes.
2. With reference to two research studies
examine one interaction between cognition
and physiology in terms of behavior.
Command terms…
• See your textbook pages 385-387 for some
good information on planning for an LAQ
See textbook pages 385 to 387 and answer the following
questions…
P385
1. What is the first thing you need to do?
2. Explain the “principle of six paragraphs”
3. How long should you spend making a detailed plan?
4. Why is making a plan so important?
P386-7
5. What must the introduction contain?
6. What must the main body of the essay contain?
7. What must the conclusion contain?
8. Outline the eight steps to writing an essay
9. What seven questions (step 8) can you ask to check
that you have written a good essay?
General Essay Structure…..
Introduction
• Define relevant terms
• Identify what theories/studies you will explain –
• Provide a clear thesis statement (answer to the question).
Body Paragraphs
• Use arguments supported by specific evidence.
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence which identifies your
main idea or argument
• Select at least three pieces of specific evidence to support your
argument.
• REMEMBER TO EVALUATE!
Conclusion
• Summarize main arguments
• Make a clear statement about the question with a reason.
Rubric…
Notice how 9 marks(41%) are
for critical thinking (evaluation!)
ESSAY PLAN QUESTION 1
With reference to research studies discuss two effects of the environment on
physiological processes.
Introduction
1) Explain how you will answer the question:
Explain how environmental stressors in the environment such as life events/ daily hassles/
workplace stressors effects the body in two ways, first by activating the stress response
pathways and second by causing stress related illness
2) Define relevant terms:
Define the term stress (it occurs when there is a mismatch between perceived demands and
ability to cope with a situation) and stressor (anything in the environment that causes stress)
3) Identify what theories/studies you will use in your answer:
Explain how the paper will:
1st effect: Explain in detail the 3 stages of the Selye (1956) General Adaptation Syndrome – GAS
to , and also evaluate this model to discuss the 1st effect of the environment on physiology
2nd effect: stress related illness – discuss/ evaluate correlational research by to show the effect
of stress on the immune system and cardiovascular system which leads to related illness
(e.g. Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984) / Cohen et al. (1980) Rahe et al. 1970/ Lazarus et al.
1981/Johannsen et al. 1978)
4)Provide a clear thesis statement (answer to the question):
e.g. “although there are several limitations to the research into the effects of
environmental stressors on the immune system and cardiovascular system, the research
does show a clear link between the environmental stressors and the activation of GAS and
stress related illness”
ESSAY PLAN QUESTION 1
With reference to research studies discuss two effects of the environment on
physiological processes.
Body Paragraphs
1st Body Paragraphs (you could also split this into several paragraphs if needed)
ACTIVATION OF STRESS PATHWAYS (GAS): 1st effect: Explain in detail the 3 stages of the Selye
(1956) General Adaptation Syndrome – (make sure you have detail on the pathways) to
discuss one effects of the environment on physiology. MAKE SURE YOU ALSO MAKE
EVALUATES POINT ABOUT THE MODEL (the counter claim - MECG)
2nd Body Paragraph (this could be several paragraphs if needed)
STRESS RELATED ILLNESS: 2nd effect: stress related illness – discuss/ evaluate correlational
research to show the effect of stress on the immune system and cardiovascular system
causing stress related illness (e.g. Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984) / Cohen et al. (1980) Rahe et al.
1970/ Lazarus et al. 1981/Johannsen et al. 1978 Freidman & Rosenman) MAKE SURE YOU
EVALUATE THE RESEARCH! - MECG) (include at least two of these studies)
Conclusion
Summarize main arguments:
e.g. “The research evidence suggests a clear link between environmental stressors and the
activation of GAS and stress related illness. One can conclude that the physiological
evidence showing that GAS becomes activated is clear, whereas it is more difficult to come
to clear conclusions about the relationship between stress and illness due to the limitations
of the moslty correlational research studies. “
ESSAY PLAN QUESTION 2
With reference to two research studies examine one interaction between
cognition and physiology in terms of behavior.
Introduction
1) Explain how you will answer the question:
Explain how environmental stressors as life events/ daily hassles/ workplace stressors effects the
body in two ways, first by activating the stress response pathways and second by causing stress
related illness then explain that one interaction between cognition and physiology is the role a
persons personality/cognitive style (type A personality/Hardy personality)on their likelihood of
stress related illness.
2) Define relevant terms:
Define the term stress (it occurs when there is a mismatch between perceived demands and ability to
cope with a situation) and stressor (anything in the environment that causes stress). & v. briefly
explain how the stress pathways become activated (GAS) causing stress related illness
3) Identify what theories/studies you will use in your answer:
Explain how the paper will:
Present the aims, procedure, findings & conclusions and evaluations of two correlational studies
to show the interaction between cognition and physiology which are Freidman & Rosenman’s
(1974) study of Type A personality and Kobasa’s (1977) study of Hardiness.
4)Provide a clear thesis statement (answer to the question):
e.g. “although there are several limitations to the research on the effects of the cognitive
style/personality on stress related illness, the research evidence does indeed seem to be a small
but significant correlation between the two.”
ESSAY PLAN QUESTION 2
With reference to two research studies examine one interaction between
cognition and physiology in terms of behavior.
Body Paragraphs
1st Body Paragraphs (you could also split this into several paragraphs if needed)
1st correlational study: Freidman & Rosenman’s (1974) study of Type A personality and CHD
-Explain what Type A personality is
- Give aims/procedures/findings and conclusions
A thorough evaluation (MEGC) which connects back to the question – what does the study tell us
about the INTERACTION?
2nd Body Paragraph (this could be several paragraphs if needed)
2nd correlational study: Kobasa’s (1977) study of Hardiness & stress related illness
-Explain what Hardy personality is
- Give aims/procedures/findings and conclusions
A thorough evaluation (MECG) which connects back to the question – what does the study tell us
about the INTERACTION?
Conclusion
Summarize main arguments:
e.g. “The research evidence suggests clear interaction between Cognitive Style/personality and stress
related illness, even though the research has many limitations, we cannot ignore that there is a
connection between individual differences in the way in which we think and react to stress and
the likelihood of experiencing stress related illness.”