5.8. Biological Approach

Question 1

What is the Biological approach?

Answer 1

Biological psychology focuses on the physical and biological causes of human behaviour.
The primary biological perspective argues that all human behaviour has physiological root and is determined by biology. The biological approach suggests that the mind lives in the brain meaning all our thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a physical basis.

Question 2

What is Neurochemistry?

Answer 2

Refers to the actions of chemical in the brain. Much of our thought and behaviour relies on chemical transmission in the brain.

Question 3

When does the neurochemical basis of behaviour occur?

Answer 3

This occurs using neurotransmitters - an imbalance of neurochemical in the brain has been implicated as a possible cause of mental disorder. For example, low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in OCD and overproduction of domaine in schizophrenia.

Question 4

Influence of Genes

Answer 4

Our genes mae up chromosomes and consist of DNA. They are focused on the heredity of an organism. However, genes can also affect our psychological features too.
Biological psychologists believe that mental disorders and intelligence are also genetic, suggesting that specific psychological features can be inherited.

Question 5

What is a concordance rate?

Answer 5

A measure of genetic similarity.
If the twins share the same characteristics is due to the genetics.

Question 6

Twin Studies: Genetics

Answer 6

Twin studies are used to investigate whether certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis. This is achieved by analysing concordance rates between pairs to identity whether twins share the same characteristic.

Question 7

Monozygotic Twins

Answer 7

Identical
Share 100% of the same genes.
Come from one fertilised egg.

Question 8

Dizygotic twins

Answer 8

Non-identical
Share 50% of same genes
Come from 2 separate fertilised eggs

Question 9

Monozygotic Twins vs Dizygotic Twins

Answer 9

If monozygotic twins are found to have a higher concordance rate compared to dizygotic twins, it would suggest a genetic basis. This is because monozygotic twins share 100% of their genes, whilst dizygotic twins share about 50% (the same as any sibling)

Question 10

Genotype

Answer 10

-genotypes are the potential for characteristics
-genetic codes for physical/behavioural characteristics inherited from parents (height)
-the actual set of genes an individual had or is made up if is a genotype
The genetic material, is made up of DNA given by the sperm and egg of the parents.

Question 11

Phenotype

Answer 11

-Phenotypes are the observable characteristics of an individual depending on the interaction of genetics and environmental factors
-the expression of the characteristic (growing tall) is due to environmental effects (diet)
-an individual’s features or observed traits, such as behavioural and physical charcteristics fall under an individuals phenotype
-shape, metabolic activities, size, and colour)

Question 12

Genotype and Phenotype

Answer 12

The genotype is the genetic programming that provides the phenotype.
To a large extent, an individual’s phenotype is determined by its genotype. However, genes are only part of the equation.

Question 13

Identical twins as an example for phenotype and genotype explanation

Answer 13

Identical twins are a good example, of the interaction between inheritance (genotype) and environment.
They have the same genetic makeup and they look alike, but they possess different phenotypes.
Identical twins have differences that allow those who are close to them to tell them apart. Also, they fingerprints are different.
Twins are genetically the same - any differences you may say see between them - for example in personality, tastes and particular aptitudes - are due to differences in their experience or environment.

Question 14

Hair example for genotype and phenotype

Answer 14

An individual’s genes determines whether or not they have hair on their head, but how long this hair remains or the colour it is depends on environmental factors, such as excess sunlight, chemicals used on the head, or poor diet. This shows that phenotype is influenced by the environment.
This shows that phenotype is influenced by the environment.

Question 15

Flamingos example for genotype and phenotypes

Answer 15

Genetically speaking, flamingos are naturally white in colour, it’s only the pigments in the organisms that they eat that cause them to turn vibrantly pink. So the food they eat actually makes them pink
The colour pink is their phenotypes

Question 16

Evolution and Behaviour

Answer 16

The evolutions of plants and animals is a fact Charles Darwin proposed, in the 19th century his theory of natural selection. The principle is that any genetically determined behaviour that benefits as a species, and helps it to survive and reproduce will continue in future generations.

Question 17

Natural selection

Answer 17

Animals with particular traits that provide them with an advantage are more likely to survived and reproduce thereby passing on their adaptive traits to their offspring.
In nature, selection takes place naturally. The selection occurs because the traits are desirable and give the species an advantage. Therefore, they survive and pass on these traits to their offspring.
In some case animals can be bred to have certain desirable characteristics though.

Question 18

Natural selection in humans

Answer 18

This has also been the case for humans. We have developed over time and our genetic makeup has changed. through generations we have developed and left behind certain genetic traits of our ancestors. However, some still remain.