Approaches - Biological

Question 1

What is the biological approach?

Answer 1

Everything psychological is biological

Question 2

Genotype

Answer 2

Set of genes possessed by a person

Question 3

Phenotype

Answer 3

How genotypes are expressed in an environment

Question 4

Assumptions (Brain)

Answer 4

Behaviour is affected
- Different areas of the brain & their functions may have an effect on behaviour (localisation) e.g. hippocampus -> LT memory

Question 5

Assumptions (Genetics & Evolution)

Answer 5

• Evolution of behaviour through natural selection (traits that add reproductive/survival value get passed on) -> twin studies comparing concordance rates

Question 6

Strengths of biological approach

Answer 6

• Real world application (treatment of depression by increased understanding of brain processes -> creates drugs)
• Objective (uses scientific methods not open to bias such as fMRIs)

Question 7

Limitations of biological approach

Answer 7

• Not applicable to everyone (Cipriani et al - drug effectiveness were modest for depression -> it alone doesn’t account)
• Deterministic (governed by genetic causes when the phenotype explains that environmental factors in)