LeDoux (1999)
Aim:
Investigate the role of the amygdala in emotion.
Procedure:
· Rats were conditioned to feel fear when they hear the sound of a bell.
· Assumption that the brain has made a connection between the bell and fear.
· LeDoux lesioned the rats to find out which part of the brain made the connection between the bell and fear.
Results:
· After several lesions, they removed the Auditory Thalamus.
· The rats did not show respond to the bell with fear anymore.
· In further studies, they found out that lesions on one site of the amygdala was able to stop blood pressure from rising.
· This shows that there are biological interactions with emotions.
Evaluation:
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- Unethical study
- Induced feat in subjects, caused mental harm.
- Performed lesioning on subjects, cause physical harm.
- Subjects did not have rights to withdraw.
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