PSYC 1010 Chapter Notes - Chapter chapter 8: Knockout Mouse, Twin Study, Leptin

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1010
• Professor: ozzy mermut

Document Summary

More research studies show that obesity is associated with abnormally low serotonin levels. Normal serotonin levels regulate eating behaviours by inhibiting areas of the hypothalamus. Dysfunctions in the serotonin system can occur due to stress or depression etc. / they may be genetically inherited. Low levels of serotonin cause inaccurate satiety signals that are sent to the hypothalamus which disinhibition eating behaviour. This provides reward feelings of pleasure & well- being. Obesity has been linked to having a dysfunctional dopamine system. Because levels of dopamine are so low in some people, the neurotransmitter can provide the reward feeling we crave. This therefore causes us to overeat in an attempt to gain the feelings of pleasure. Ao3a weakness of twin studies is that mz twins share more than just their genes. This is because they are brought up in the same family, it is difficult to separate environmental & genetic influences on their behaviour.