The Loneliness of the “Social Distance” Triggers Brain Cravings Akin to Hunger: Biopsychology Report, NUS, Singapore

Report: The Brain in the Coronavirus Pandemic

In this report, you will answer three questions to highlight how biopsychology features in everyday life. For this presentation, we will focus on the brain in the Coronavirus pandemic. In each question, you will be asked to explain how biological concepts in psychology can help improve our understanding of the Coronavirus pandemic. Please ensure that each point you raise can be supported with empirical evidence and supplemented with an example that is related to the topic.

 Question 1

Read: Confusion, seizure, strokes: How COVID-19 may affect the brain

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/confusion-seizure-strokes-how-covid-19-may-affect-the-brain

In the article, the researchers presented arguments for why the coronavirus may or may not be able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. Examine the role of the blood-brain barrier in the brain. Apply your understanding of the blood-brain barrier and present your personal viewpoint, supported with empirical evidence, of why the coronavirus may or may not pass through the blood-brain barrier.

Question 2

Read: The loneliness of the “social distance” triggers brain cravings akin to hunger.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-loneliness-of-the-social-distancer-triggersbrain-cravings-akin-to-hunger/

Evaluate how the substantia nigra may play a role in social isolation and illustrate if the brain imaging technique used in this study is a good way to understand brain functioning when experiencing isolation.

Question 3

Watch: Neuroplasticity

https://www.youtube.com/watch time_continue=51&v=ELpfYCZa87g&feature=emb_logo

With social isolation and distancing, more people will turn to technology to stay connected and entertained. Discuss how neuroplasticity may feature when people of three different age groups use more technology in Singapore due to the pandemic:

1. Primary school children doing home-based learning
2. Working adults working from home
3. The pioneer generation

Referencing Formatting Requirements (APA7)

• Start the References on a new page (bold and centered).
• Present the reference list in alphabetical order by first author surname.
• Do not number the reference items/entries.
• Each entry should observe hanging indentation (i.e., if the reference goes on to a second line, the second line onwards must be indented).
• Provide the doi if available.
• Books: – Title in italics (apply Sentence Case – only the first letter of the first word is capitalized and the first letter of the first word after a colon is capitalized) – Publisher name (no need to provide a place of publication)
• Journals: – Article title not in italics (apply Sentence Case) – Journal name in italics (apply Title Case – the first letter of most words are capitalized) – Volume number in italics – Issue number within brackets not in italics (provide if available) – Page range not in italics (provide full page range, e.g., 100-123, not 100 or 100-23)