1.1.3 Strengths & Weaknesses (Biological Approach)

Question 1

What is the second step of evaluation?

Answer 1

2. Give examples to further explain the strengths and weaknesses

Question 2

What is the third step in evaluation?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Give strength one of the biological approach:

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What does objective mean?

Answer 4

It is not influenced by any researcher bias

Question 5

What does making the approach measurable mean?

Answer 5

Operationalising abstract variables

Question 6

What does it mean to be observable?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is the first step in evaluation?

Answer 7

1. State the strength/weakness

Question 8

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

Answer 8

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

Question 9

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

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Give strength 2 of the biological approach:

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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

Question 12

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

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Give weakness 1 of the biological approach (r):

Answer 13

The biological approach is reductionist

Question 14

Explain what reductuonist means:

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Give some examples for weakness 1 (reductionist):

Answer 15

• Stress is reduced to the action of the hormone adrenaline

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

Question 16

Why is weakness 1 (reductionist) a weakness?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Give weakness 2 of the biological approach (n):

Answer 17

The biological approach is a nomothetic approach

Question 18

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

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Give examples for weakness 2 (nomothetic approach):

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

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

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What are etics?

Answer 21

Universal behaviours

Question 22

What is beta gender bias?

Answer 22

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