A2- Physiological approaches

Question 1

Biological influences

Answer 1

• genetic predisposition
• roles of neurotransmitter imbalances

Question 2

Gene

Answer 2

a unit of inheritance, DNA

Question 3

Genetic predisposition

Answer 3

an increased likelihood of developing a disease

Question 4

Neurotransmitter

Answer 4

a chemical messenger that balances signals between neurons
- they’re needed at correct levels for normal body function

Question 5

Imbalanced neurotransmitters

Answer 5

too little/too many neurotransmitters causes physical + psychological problems.

Caused by:
- genetics
- environment
- drugs
- diet

Question 6

Evaluation
- Strength

Answer 6

• implications for healthcare, diseases caused by genetics can be tested for.
• objective approach, no judgements about someone’s behaviour as it is supported by scientific research, valid
  -practical implications

Question 7

Evaluation
- Weakness

Answer 7

• ignores other potential influences such as environmental factors
• Deterministic, uses biology as an excuse for behaviour, claims we do not have free will to change

Question 8

Behaviourist Approach

Answer 8

Classical conditioning = cues
Operant conditioning = positive + negative reinforcement, incentivising behaviour

Question 9

Cue

Answer 9

a trigger that prompts behaviour

Question 10

Internal + External

Answer 10

Internal - a physical state that prompts remembering something from the last time experiencing this state

External - an environmental stimulus that prompts you to do something else

Question 11

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 11

when behaviour is followed by a pleasant consequence, more likely to happen again

Question 12

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 12

when behaviour is followed by the removal of an unpleasant stimuli

Question 13

Incentivising behaviour

Answer 13

giving incentives (rewards) to cause positive behaviour to continue

Question 14

Token Economy

Answer 14

Rewarding desired behaviour immediately with tokens, that can be later exchanged for a better larger prize.

Question 15

Evaluation
- strength

Answer 15

• effective treatments have been developed
• aversion therapy
• helps addiction

Question 16

Evaluation
- weaknesses

Answer 16

• Deterministic, suggests we do not have free will to change, ignores cognition
• cant explain why only some people get addiction

Question 17

Social Learning Approach

Answer 17

• Role models/ SLT
• Effects of parental + peer role models on behaviour
• Role models in health education

Question 18

Social learning Theory

Answer 18

we learn behaviour from the environment and observing those around, considering the consequences if we imitate

Question 19

Role models

Answer 19

someone we imitate
- more likely to see someone as a role model if we identify with them
e.g. age, gender, celebrities

Question 20

Effects of parental/peer role models on our behaviour

Answer 20

• if your parents smoke, you are far more likely to become a smoker yourself
• if we see a friend has been going to the gym and has lost weight, it encourages us to go too

Question 21

Role models in health education

Answer 21

• health education influences a persons knowledge/behaviour connected to health in a positive way
• celebrity role models are often used as their high status makes us more likely to imitate

Question 22

Evaluation
- strength

Answer 22

• real life applications in helping governments to improve peoples lives
• emphasizes importance of cognitive factors in learning, copying others is not automatic but a more complex thought process

Question 23

Evaluation
- weakness

Answer 23

• it doesn’t explain why some people don’t copy their parents, it is more likely there are other factors involved (biological)

Question 24

Cognitive Approach

Answer 24

• relief from boredom, stress, anxiety
• mitigating other health problems
• cognitive dissonance
• cognitive bias

Question 25

Relief from boredom, stress + anxiety

Answer 25

• we take part in risky behaviour to relieve feelings of stress, anxiety, boredom

Short-term coping strategies can create long-term health issues.

Question 26

Mitigating other health problems

Answer 26

we engage in certain behaviours to reduce (mitigate) impact of other health issues

• being physically active
• eating a health diet with fruit + veg
• taking prescribed medication

all associated with health and recovery from illness

Question 27

Cognitive Dissonance

Answer 27

refers to a situation involving conflicting beliefs or behaviours
it produces a mental discomfort leading to a change in one of the behaviours/beliefs to restore balance and reduce discomfort

Question 28

Example of Cognitive dissonance

Answer 28

Unhealth behaviour = dissonance
- when people smoke (behaviour) and they know it causes cancer (cognition) they are in a state of dissonance

Question 29

Cognitive Dissonance Theory
- Festinger

Answer 29

He believes we have an inner drive to hold our behaviour in harmony and avoid disharmony

Question 30

Resolving Cognitive dissonance

Answer 30

A = changing attitudes to match behaviour (or opposite)
B = Adding new info to outweigh
C = Reduce importance of belief

Question 31

Cognitive Biases

Answer 31

Professional bias in diagnosis + treatment
Gender bias
Conformity bias
Conformation bias
Fundamental Attribution Bias

Question 32

Professional bias

Answer 32

health professionals are subject to bias, this can impact treatment and diagnosis

Question 33

Gender Bias

Answer 33

prejudice based on gender

Question 34

Conformity bias

Answer 34

changing our behaviour to fit in with others

Question 35

Conformation bias

Answer 35

favour confirmatory information and ignore contradicting information

Question 36

Fundamental attribution bias

Answer 36

over emphasising personal characteristic and downplaying the role of the situation

Question 37

Evaluation
- strength

Answer 37

• practical application, can lead to positive health decisions, change behaviour and reduce bias

Question 38

Evaluation
- weakness

Answer 38

• ignores environmental factors
• ignores biological approach = genetic makeup determines outcomes not cognition
• racial and ethnic minorities receive worse healthcare