approaches- biological Flashcards
what is phenotype
the observable characteristics on an individual as a consequence of the interaction of genotype with the environment
what is nuerochemistry
the study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system eg high levels of dopamine assocaited with schizophrenia
what is natural selection
the process by which inherited characteristics that enhance an individuals success/fitness are passed onto the next generation so therefore become more widespread
what is genotype
the genetic makeup of an individual passed from generation to generation
what is evolution linked to with behaviour
Darwin proposed that organisms adapt to their environment over time to aid their survival those who survive will reproduce their characteristics to offspring eg aggression is seen to be adaptive to increase chances of survival of an individual
what is the biological approach
views humans as biological organisms and so provides biological explanations for all aspects of psychological functioning and behaviour
biological evalution
USEFUL
-useful applications of biological approach help us understand the role of nuerochemical imbalances in OCD has led to development of effective drug treatment an example is the neurotransmitter serotonin and dopamine treatments used to help imbalance called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI’s) TMB further demonstrates the value of adopting a biological approach to the study of human behaviour
evaluate biological approach
reductionist
-very reductionist eg complex behaviour such as OCD and reduces into their basic elements of COMT and SERT genes and believed to be the only cause for mental health disorders TMB we cannot rely solely on genes to explain behaviour there are other factors that contribute eg cognitive, emotional and cultural factors this approach is over simplistic have genes. may only led to predisposition
the influence of biological structures on behaviour
brain structure eg in psychopathology szesko found a difference in the prefrontal cortex of those who have schizophrenia suggesting a relationship
what is heritability
-refers to the extent to which variation of a characteristic in a population can be explained by genes for example identical twins suggest OCD may be 68% due to genetics
assumptions of the biological approach
- human behaviour can be explained through biological processes such as hormones,genetics, evolution and the nervous system
evidence of MRi maguire
took 16 london taxi drivers against a control group and founf that there right posterior hippocampus (spatial representation) was significantly larger than the control group and longer they had been working larger hippocampus
the influence of genes
-characterisitcs and traits may be hereditary passed down through generations
influence of neurochemistry
- excitatory nuertotransmittoers stimulate nervous system into action eg adrenaline in flight or fight -inhibitory neurotransmitters calm the nervous system and balance mood eg GABA calms the body
-hormones are chemicals released by glands within endocrine system which stimulate receptors and alter its activity eg cortisol stimulates stress in humans
evaluate biological approach
ETHICAL
may have dangers in regard to ethical implications eg the dangers of genetic explainations may led to genetic discrimination and screening to the general population to identify genetic predispositions TMB convient explainations may be used for complex criminal behaviour
