1.1.3 Strengths & Weaknesses (Biological Approach) Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the second step of evaluation?

A
  1. Give examples to further explain the strengths and weaknesses
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2
Q

What is the third step in evaluation?

A
  1. End with a clear explanation as to why it is a strength/weakness
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3
Q

Give strength one of the biological approach:

A
  1. The biological approach is based in the objective study of observable, measurable factors that affect behaviour
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4
Q

What does objective mean?

A

It is not influenced by any researcher bias

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5
Q

What does making the approach measurable mean?

A

Operationalising abstract variables

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6
Q

What does it mean to be observable?

A

We can see/observe it, you are not reliant on the subjects to report back to gain data

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7
Q

What is the first step in evaluation?

A
  1. State the strength/weakness
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8
Q

Give an example for strength one (observable,objective,measurable factors)

A

The researcher can manipulate the factors and measure the effect on behaviour, so they could measure the effect of drugs on neurotransmitter levels and thus mental illness
• eg. Kahn measured effect of BZs on anxiety in comparison to a placebo group and concluded they are superior in treating anxiety

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9
Q

Explain why ‘the biological approach is based upon the objective study of observable and measurable factors that influence behaviour’ (strength 1) is a strength?

A

• results can be replicated
• consistent results mean it is reliable
• this reliability means a cause and effect relationship can be established
e.g. BZs reduce anxiety by reducing the action of the hormone adrenaline

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10
Q

Give strength 2 of the biological approach:

A

• the biological approach has led to many useful and successful applications (real world)

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11
Q

Give an example for strength 2 (useful and successful application)

A

Drug therapy can be used to treat mental illness:
• anti psychotic medication can be used to treat those suffering with schizophrenia by reducing dopamine levels and thus the positive symptoms of schizophrenia

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12
Q

Why is strength 2 (useful and successful real world applications) a strength?

A

It allows those suffering with mental illness to function better in society/real life

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13
Q

Give weakness 1 of the biological approach (r):

A

The biological approach is reductionist

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14
Q

Explain what reductuonist means:

A

It reduces complex behaviours to a set of simple explanations and focuses on a narrow range of biological factors to explain behaviour

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15
Q

Give some examples for weakness 1 (reductionist):

A
  • Stress is reduced to the action of the hormone adrenaline

- depression is explained in terms of low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin

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16
Q

Why is weakness 1 (reductionist) a weakness?

A
  • ignores/ doesn’t account for environmental factors that could influence behaviour (e.g. A person could be depressed due to family life, grief, employment)
17
Q

Give weakness 2 of the biological approach (n):

A

The biological approach is a nomothetic approach

18
Q

Explain what it means that the biological approach is a nomothetic approach:

A

It looks to make generalisations about people and find similarities (universal laws)

19
Q

Give examples for weakness 2 (nomothetic approach):

A
  • biological studies use few people and assume people’s biological systems are the same
  • people used are mostly from the U.S and Europe as this is where research takes place
  • research tends to use males as they are simpler biologically
20
Q

Explain why weakness 2 (nomothetic approach) is a weakness:

A
  • behaviours might not be able to be generalised universally (etics)
  • lack of cross cultural research (ethnocentric)
  • beta gender bias
21
Q

What are etics?

A

Universal behaviours

22
Q

What is beta gender bias?

A

Testing one gender and assuming the other will respond in the same way