Approaches - Biological

Question 1

Why might some phenotypes not be expressed?

Answer 1

Some people may have certain genotypes for a specific mental illness, but needs an external factor to trigger it

Question 2

How can twins be used to determine the effect of environmental factors?

Answer 2

A twin who might smoke/drink may age faster than the twin who doesn’t, external factors causing the aging

Question 3

What did Dabbs et al (1995) study?

Answer 3

The salivary levels of testosterone compared to levels of crime. Those with higher levels of testosterone had a much high rate of history of violent crimes than those without

Question 4

What is dopamine?

Answer 4

A neurotransmitter involved with movement, attention and learning.
Too much - schizophrenia
Too little - depression

Question 5

What is serotonin?

Answer 5

A neurotransmitter involved with mood, sleep, appetite, and impulsive/aggressive behaviour
Too little - depression and anxiety, especially OCD

Question 6

How has understanding biochemical processes helped in treating mental illness?

Answer 6

Drugs can contain what’s needed, such as more serotonin for depression

Question 7

page 36 smthg about evolution i

Answer 7

idk

Question 8

What strengths are there to the biological approach?

Answer 8

Uses the scientific method (increase validity using technology)
Provides clear predictions on behaviour (research into neurochemical imbalance)

Question 9

What limitations are there to the biological approach?

Answer 9

relationship vs causality (issues of determinism)
^ gene and neurotransmitters

Question 10

What other limitations are there to the biological approach?

Answer 10

animal studies are hard to generalise
genetic explanations are too deterministic
no cultural factors
no nature vs nurture
reductionist