2.1 - Approaches In Psychology (set F - Biological Approach) Flashcards
What is the biological approach?
combines psychology and biology and aims to explain how we think and feel as a result of factors within our body
- focused more on the genetic basis of behvaiour
Outline 4 assumptions of the biological approach?
- investigates how biological structures and functions of the brain impacts on behaviour
- Much of behaviour has a biological cause which may be genetically or environmentally altered
- The nervous system including hormones and neurotransmitters affect behaviour
- Behaviour can be inherited (as it is determined by genetic information)
What does the biological approach say about disease and infections in regard to behaviour?
Infections and diseases can play a role in mental illness for example schizophrenia
- acknowledges that genes play a large role in certain disorders
Outline the influence of genes on behaviour?
Genes can carry instructions for characteristics eg personality or iq, However how it develops depends on interaction of the gene with other genes and the environment
- play a large part in certain disorders eg Schizophrenia
Define heritability?
amount of variation in a trait, or behaviour within a population that can be attributed to genetic differences
- studies of identical twins have suggested that the variation in individual intelligence could be 60-80% due to genes
Define genotype?
The genetic make-up of an individual - the genotype is a collection of inherited genetic material that is passed from generation to generation
define phenotype?
The observable characteristics of an individual - this is a consequence of the interaction of the genotype with the environment
Eg height or eye colour
Outline genetic variability?
genes function in pairs and the recombination of genes from parents to offspring provides the basis for genetic variability
Outline how the relationship between the genotype and phenotype is not direct?
if their are two identical twins (concordance rate of 100%) who’s parents are smart then they will have the genetic potential to also be smart - however if the environmental conditions were different for each twin then they could differ due to the environment affecting the expression of the gene
Outline the influence of neuron’s and the nervous system on behaviour?
- nervous system carries messages from one part of the body to another using neurons
- many aspects of behaviour are under neuronal control (eg breathing and eating)
Outline the systems which make up the nervous system?
- central nervous system (CNS) comprises the brain and spinal cord
- peripheral nervous system (PNS) comprises the somatic and autonomic nervous system
Outline the influence of the brain on behaviour?
- largest part of brain is cerebrum (85% of total mass)
- outer surface of cerebrum called cerebral cortex - responsible for higher order functions (language and thought)
- cerebrum divided into two hemispheres each divided into 4 lobes
Outline how neurotransmitters work?
When nerve impulse reaches end of neurone, neurotransmitter is released, which travels across synapse
- two types excitatory neurotransmitters and inhibitory neurotransmitters
Outline what excitatory neurotransmitters are?
Neurotransmitters that trigger nerve impulses in the receiving neurone and stimulates the brain into action
Eg dopamine - associated with our ‘drive’ and motivation
Outline what inhibitory neurotransmitters are?
Neurotransmitters that inhibit nerve impulses in order to calm the brain and balance mood
- eg serotonin - adequate amounts are necessary to maintain a stable mood
Outline the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin on behaviour?
Inhibitory transmitter - adequate amounts are necessary to maintain a stable mood
- Crockett et al (2008) found that when serotonin levels are low people tend to display increased aggression
Outline the role of different components of the brain on behaviour?
Frontal lobes - involved with functions such as speech, thought and learning
Temporal lobes - involved with hearing and memory
Parietal lobes - process sensory information such as touch, temperature and pain
Occipital lobes - process visual information
Outline the influence of hormones on behaviour?
Chemicals produced by the endocrine glands in response to a signal from the brain - secreted into the bloodstream where they travel to their ‘target cells’ and stimulate receptors on the cell surface
Provide research evidence regarding hormones effect on behaviour?
Carré et al (2008) studied Canadian ice hockey team over the course of a season - found evidence that the hormone testosterone surged whenever the team played in their home stadium - suggesting the hormone energised the players to defend their home territory
Explain evolutionary psychology?
tries to understand human behaviour as the result of psychological adaption and natural selection
Define natural selection?
Process by which inherited characteristics that enhance an individuals reproductive success are passed on to the next generation, and so become more widespread in the population over time
Outline evidence that the brain is responsible for behaviour?
Phineas Gage - metal rod went through head causing him to loose his left eye, went through hitting his brain - he ultimately survived but his friends noticed his behaviour had changed from being soft spoken and nice to now being aggressive and unpleasant - this allows us to link the part of his brain (the front) to behaviour/personality
Give 3 neurotransmitters and explain them?
Melatonin - hormone responsible for sleep - high levels of melatonin cause you to sleep a lot
Adrenaline - high levels for adrenaline causes stress, emotion and arousal
Testosterone - high levels can affect sex and aggression
Outline the concordance rate amongst twins?
Monozygotic (identical twins) - have nearly 100% concordance
Dizygotic (non-identical twins) - have around 50% concordance
Outline the link between evolution and behaviour?
Animals’ that survive and are able to reproduce pass on behaviours that will contribute to a species survival through process of natural selection
Give an example of evolution - with focus on changes in humans?
have evolved to have less prominent jawlines and teeth, this could be a result of a change in diet, as humans are no longer eating hard foods and lots of meat and therefore don’t require that many teeth
Outline the types of research methods the biological approach uses?
- Draws on concepts from the hard sciences and research tends to be highly scientific in nature, involving lab experiments and observations
- Objective brain recording and scans techniques are also used
- Objective, factual and scientific
Outline 3 strengths of the biological approach?
- Scanning research techniques are useful for investigating the functions of the brain: an organ with obvious involvement in our behaviour that would otherwise be unobservable
- The approach presents the strong nature viewpoint of the nature-nurture debate.
- The experimental methods used (gathering empirical [i.e. observable] evidence) make this approach very scientific
Outline 3 weaknesses of the biological approach?
- The approach is considered reductionist; complex behaviour, thoughts and emotions are all equally explained by low-level biological mechanisms such as biochemicals and nerve impulses
- Biology alone has been unable to explain the phenomenon of consciousness
- An extreme biological approach does not account for the wide base of evidence that points to the influence of our environment (e.g. culture and society)
What is the biological approaches stance on the nature v nurture debate?
Strongly nature - genes play a large role in behaviour, phenotype is affected by the environment
What is the biological approaches stance on the free will v determinism debate?
Determinism - genes, structure of brain, evolution and neurotransmitters are the only things that affect behaviour
