6🍋Biological-Approaches PAPER2

Question 1

Biological Assumptions

Answer 1

1.genes an individual possesses influence his or her behaviour
-belief in process of evolution
-behaviour evolves same way as physical characteristics through process of evolutionary adaptation
2.brain is seen as the main focus when explaining behaviour
-central nervous system compromised brain and spinal cord
-connection and relationship seem to be original of how world is seen and acted upon by individual
-differences in brain structure can therefore effect behaviour
3. chemistry of body impacts behaviour
-levels of chemicals in bodies found both in brain (neurotransmitters) and body (hormones) related to individuals behaviour
-beloved to influence reactions to environment

Question 2

Ways if explaining human behaviour

Answer 2

1. population exists
   2.variety of genes
   3.some individuals more suited to environment than others
2. some physically more suited (stronger or faster)
3. some more tolerant to new disease
4. these individuals outlive others
5. due to fact they’re more suited to environment than
6. they survive into adulthood
7. able to pass of genes

Question 3

Genotype

Answer 3

-set of genes an individual has, or is made up of
-genetic material is made up of DNA, for sexually reproducing organisms, given by sperm and egg of parents

Question 4

Phenotype

Answer 4

-an individuals observable traits
-could be behaviours and physical characteristics
-behavioural characteristics and physical attributes are what determines an individual’s ability to reproduce and survive in environment
-GENOTYPE+ENVIRONMENT=PHENOTYPE

Question 5

Monozygotic (Identical Twins)

Answer 5

100% shared environment
100% shared genes

Question 6

Dizygotic (non identical twins)

Answer 6

100% shared environment
50% shared genes

Question 7

Recessive Gene

Answer 7

-only shows if individual has two copies of the gene

Question 8

Dominant Gene

Answer 8

-always expressed, even if individual only has one copy of gene

Question 9

Strength Biological (scientific method)

Answer 9

-uses scientific method method as main method of investigation
-in early studies clinical case studies were primary method of study, but difficulties such as researcher bias and lack of control
-use of sophisticated imagine and recording techniques increased precision and objectivity of experimental research, allow other researchers to replicate studies under same conditions
-methods are adding to validity of original findings, can be reproduced giving further strength
-MRIs, EEG

Question 10

Strength Biological (predictions)

Answer 10

-provides clear predictions such as about the effects of neurotransmitters or the behaviour of people who are genetically related, applications to everyday life
-led to significant applications of biological research in real world
-critics argue we cannot fully understand a behaviour without also taking account of other factors that influence it
-likewise, research into circadian rhythms and their effect on psychological well-being has led to significant improvements in working conditions of work shifts.

Question 11

Limitation Biological (reductionist)

Answer 11

-the biological approach is reductionist, reductionism is the belief that complex human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down into its smallest component parts such as action of genes, neurochemicals snd hormones
-focuses too much on the ‘nature’ side of the nature/nurture debate. This can be considered reductionist as it argues that all behaviour is caused by hormones, neurotransmitters and genetics, when this is not the case. One theory is that schizophrenia is genetic, however, twin studies show that it is not completely genetic and the environment has a part to play.
-dehumanising to present humans as ‘biological machines’

Question 12

Limitation Biological (deterministic)

Answer 12

-the biological approach is deterministic, this is the idea that all human behaviour is innate and determined by genes
-eg. it suggests that an individual is biologically pre programmed to develop a mental illness
-this is a limitation as it suggests that we’re solely by our biology and genes, and ignores the concept of free will and impact of environment

Question 13

Methods of Study Biological

Answer 13

-Animal Studies
-Case Studies
-Drug Therapies
-Scans
-Twin and Family Studies

Question 14

Animal Studies

Answer 14

-used to investigate biological mechanisms that govern human behaviour
-generalised to humans due to similar biological makeup of animals to humans
-not ethical to allow human participants
-some argue that complex human behaviour cannot be replicated in non humans

Question 15

Case Studies

Answer 15

-can investigate normal behaviour by observing behavioural abnormality alongside corresponding changes in biology

Question 16

Drug Therapies

Answer 16

-behaviour can be manipulated by altering individuals biochemistry
-research can lead to developing drug applications to improve health and well-being
-if drug improve symptoms then condition has biological cause

Question 17

Scans

Answer 17

-physiology and activity across brain can be gauged using techniques such as MRI, PET
-helps researchers identify functions of specific regions in brain(localisation of function)

Question 18

Twin & Family Studies

Answer 18

-useful for investigating heritability of behaviour
-research can investigate likelihood that both twins develop characteristic (concordance rate)
-studies can be time consuming, long delays before follow up data collected, difficult to find large samples of participants