4.2.1 - biological approach

Question 1

Assumption of the biological approach

Answer 1

All behaviour is influenced by our genetic makeup and genetic inheritance, nothing is learnt
- anything psychological is fist biological
- the Mind lies within the brain
- the brain is biological so all behaviour is psychological

Question 2

Features of the biological approach

Answer 2

• humans have evolved to behave in certain ways that have allowed us to survive
• human behaviour is is explained by biological structures
• research used twin studies, adoption studies, pet scans and brain scans

Question 3

How is the evolution of behaviour significant

Answer 3

all things have evolved overtime through natural selection
- adaptive genes are universal and seen across all land
- maladaptive genes are not consistent within groups of people.

Question 4

How are family studies used for research

Answer 4

The concordance rate of siblings is recorded ( the % that two people share the same trait )
- the higher the concordance rate %, the more likely the trait is to be genetic.

Question 5

Family studies A03

Answer 5

Limitation : you cannot isolate the role of learning, it is difficult to differentiate between the same environment and the same genetics. Therefore behaviour may not be due to similar genetics, but the same environment instead.

Question 6

Use of twin studies

Answer 6

MZ twins are used to ensure that the genetics are 1000% the same.
- if the behaviours are genetic both twins would definitely show the same traits

Question 7

A03 of twin studies

Answer 7

One limitation: despite having the same genetics, twins usually also grow up and li in similar environments
- therefore it is still very difficult to isolate the role of learning.

It is difficult to locate identical twins to study, as the number of mz twins is rare and not many would be willing to participate.

Question 8

How are adoption studies used

Answer 8

2 MZ twins are in different environments and behaviour is observed.
·If the behaviour is the same - It is genetic
· If behavior is different - it is environmental

• enables researchers to isolate the role of learning.

Question 9

A03: adoption studies

Answer 9

Limitation: Unethical to split twins at a young age

Strength: will definitely isolate the role of learning and therefore specific accurate conclusions can be drawn

Question 10

What are alternative research methods besides family studies

Answer 10

• brain scans
• pet scans
• animal studies

Question 11

A03: scientific

Answer 11

• high control, and minimal bias.
• Therefore conclusions are reliable and the research can easily be applied to real life because the independent variable is the environment
• EG: When a PET scan is carried out, the Ppts reaction to the environment is being studied, so investigator bias does not
  interfere with the results.

Question 12

A03: real life application

Answer 12

STRENGTH
-development of psychoactive drugs, treat serious mental illness and improve their affects (eg: depression.)
- The understanding of the biochemical processes enabled scientists to know which parts of the brain are affected and causing the illness , so specific parts of the brain can be targeted.
- patients are able to recieve treatment at home, rather than in hospital which can improve their recovery experience,
- drugs provide a short term fix until taking therapy can be completed
HOWEVER
- drugs are addictive and have multiple side effects

Question 13

A03: deterministic / RLA

Answer 13

• biological approach views all human behaviour as determined by just their genetic makeup.
• ignores all cognition and environmental factors that have potential to be significant
• in court the offender is held as morally and legally responsible for their actions: if the biological approach is true, criminals may not be in full control of their behaviour so thy would be treated unethically.