1.1 The biological approach

Question 1

What does the biological approach focus on?

Answer 1

How our genetic make-up influences out thoughts and behaviours.

Question 2

What are the 4 basic assumptions?

Answer 2

• Genes influence our behaviours. Genes are found in the nucleus in every cell and are located on chromosomes that exist in 23 pairs.
• Biological structured such as the brain and the nervous system, influence behaviours
• Brain chemistry influences behaviour
• Behaviour has evolved. Behaviours that help us survive are more likely to get passed on.

Question 3

What is a genotype and a phenotype?

Answer 3

• Genotype = the genetic make-up of individuals

- Phenotype = The actual expression of the genes on an individual

Question 4

Do identical twins have the exact same genotype or phenotype?

Answer 4

They have the same genotype as the share 100% of the same genes. However, the phenotype is effected by environmental factors what can cause a change in how the genes are expressed.

Question 5

Explain phenylketonuria (PKU), and how this shows that people with the same genotype can have different phenotypes.

Answer 5

PKU means that people cannot metabolise phenylalanine, which later leads to brain damage. This can be changed if as a baby the person is brought up on a special diet. They will grow up normally with no brain damage. This demonstrated how environmental factors can change the phenotype.

Question 6

Name 4 methods of research?

Answer 6

• Surgery
• Brain recording techniques (MRI, PET scans) to observe the activity of a living brain
• Experiments to test the use of drugs (drugs on autism)
• Analysis of case studies of individuals who have suffered brain damage.
• Twin studies of MZ and DZ twins

Question 7

Two strengths to the biological approach?

Answer 7

• The methods are highly scientific

- Knowing how biology is involved in psychological disorders enables researches to find treatments.

Question 8

Four limitations of the biological approach?

Answer 8

• They undervalue the possible influences of social factors and environment
• Explaining behaviours on a level of cells is over simplification. This is known as reductionism.
• Suggests that the mind and the brain are the same thing.
• Suggests that people to not have free will, known as biological determinism.
• Ethical implications - if criminal behaviour is found to be genetic, what should we do about it?
• Problems generalising findings from animals to humans.