A2- Physiological approaches Flashcards
Biological influences
- genetic predisposition
- roles of neurotransmitter imbalances
Gene
a unit of inheritance, DNA
Genetic predisposition
an increased likelihood of developing a disease
Neurotransmitter
a chemical messenger that balances signals between neurons
- they’re needed at correct levels for normal body function
Imbalanced neurotransmitters
too little/too many neurotransmitters causes physical + psychological problems.
Caused by:
- genetics
- environment
- drugs
- diet
Evaluation
- Strength
- 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
Evaluation
- Weakness
- 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
Behaviourist Approach
Classical conditioning = cues
Operant conditioning = positive + negative reinforcement, incentivising behaviour
Cue
a trigger that prompts behaviour
Internal + External
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
Positive Reinforcement
when behaviour is followed by a pleasant consequence, more likely to happen again
Negative Reinforcement
when behaviour is followed by the removal of an unpleasant stimuli
Incentivising behaviour
giving incentives (rewards) to cause positive behaviour to continue
Token Economy
Rewarding desired behaviour immediately with tokens, that can be later exchanged for a better larger prize.
Evaluation
- strength
- effective treatments have been developed
- aversion therapy
- helps addiction
Evaluation
- weaknesses
- Deterministic, suggests we do not have free will to change, ignores cognition
- cant explain why only some people get addiction
Social Learning Approach
- Role models/ SLT
- Effects of parental + peer role models on behaviour
- Role models in health education
Social learning Theory
we learn behaviour from the environment and observing those around, considering the consequences if we imitate
Role models
someone we imitate
- more likely to see someone as a role model if we identify with them
e.g. age, gender, celebrities
Effects of parental/peer role models on our behaviour
- 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
Role models in health education
- 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
Evaluation
- strength
- 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
Evaluation
- weakness
- it doesn’t explain why some people don’t copy their parents, it is more likely there are other factors involved (biological)
Cognitive Approach
- relief from boredom, stress, anxiety
- mitigating other health problems
- cognitive dissonance
- cognitive bias
Relief from boredom, stress + anxiety
- we take part in risky behaviour to relieve feelings of stress, anxiety, boredom
Short-term coping strategies can create long-term health issues.
Mitigating other health problems
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
Cognitive Dissonance
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
Example of Cognitive dissonance
Unhealth behaviour = dissonance
- when people smoke (behaviour) and they know it causes cancer (cognition) they are in a state of dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance Theory
- Festinger
He believes we have an inner drive to hold our behaviour in harmony and avoid disharmony
Resolving Cognitive dissonance
A = changing attitudes to match behaviour (or opposite)
B = Adding new info to outweigh
C = Reduce importance of belief
Cognitive Biases
Professional bias in diagnosis + treatment
Gender bias
Conformity bias
Conformation bias
Fundamental Attribution Bias
Professional bias
health professionals are subject to bias, this can impact treatment and diagnosis
Gender Bias
prejudice based on gender
Conformity bias
changing our behaviour to fit in with others
Conformation bias
favour confirmatory information and ignore contradicting information
Fundamental attribution bias
over emphasising personal characteristic and downplaying the role of the situation
Evaluation
- strength
- practical application, can lead to positive health decisions, change behaviour and reduce bias
Evaluation
- weakness
- ignores environmental factors
- ignores biological approach = genetic makeup determines outcomes not cognition
- racial and ethnic minorities receive worse healthcare
