Approaches AQA Assessment Flashcards
Genotype refers to…
the collection of all the genes within each cell of an individual
Genotype refers to…
a person’s genetic make-up
One issue with schemas is…
that they may exclude information that does not conform to prior expectations. We may form stereotypes that might lead to inaccurate perceptions of people or situations.
key assumptions of the biological approach:
behaviour explained by hormones, genetics, evolution and the nervous system / the brain is main focus when explaining behaviour / can be modified using biological treatments / we share biological similarities with animals
key assumptions of the biological approach:
behaviour explained by hormones, genetics, evolution and the nervous system / the brain is main focus when explaining behaviour / can be modified using biological treatments / we share biological similarities with animals
biological explanation of influence of genes on behaviour:
faulty genes cause diseases that have psychological effects (e.g. Huntington’s disease leads to deterioration of mental abilities) / twin studies
twin study for biological approach
Gottesman (1991) conducted a meta-analysis of 40 twin studies, finding that having an MZ twin with Sz gave you a 48% chance vs. 17% for DZ twins
counterargument for Gottestman
the fact that both twins developed Sz in only about half the cases means that another factor must be involved . This might be the environment as twins often raised together.
The CNS is made up of
the brain and spinal cord
Hormones are…
chemicals that travel through the blood. In the brain, the transmission of chemicals is in the cerebral fluid and the chemicals are called neurotransmitters.
PET scans use…
a radioactive chemical that shows which part of the brain is most active when thinking about different things.
CAT scans detect…
damaged parts of the brain (structure not function)
MRI scans provide…
detailed information about brain structure
An advantage of the biological approach is that brain scans have practical application. Research by…
Maguire et al. (2000) on the brains of taxi drivers showed evidence of neuroplasticity.
What did Maguire find?
MRI scans showed that the average size of the right posterior hippocampus was larger in taxi drivers compared to controls. Increased size was relative to the amount of time he driver had been working (more neural connections,)
