Approaches - Biological

Question 1

what are the assumptions

Answer 1

• everything physiological is at first biological

Question 2

what is the neurochemical basis of behaviour

Answer 2

• neurochemistry is the action of chemicals in the brain
• imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain has been linked to mental illness
• low levels of seratonin in OCD
• high dopamine levels in Schozophrenia

Question 3

what is the genetic basis of behaviour

Answer 3

• twin studies used to determine if certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis
• achieved by concordance rates - twins share same characteristic
• monozygotic =100%
• dizygotic =50%

Question 4

what are genotypes and phenotypes

Answer 4

• genotype is the genetic makeup
• phenotype is the way genes are expressed
• nature vs nurture debate

Question 5

what is evolution and behaviour

Answer 5

• Darwin proposed natural selection
• genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individuals survival will be passed on to

Question 6

what are the strengths of the biological approach

Answer 6

Real world application
- understand that neurochemical processes in the brain is associated with the use of psychoactive drugs to treat mental illness
- clinical depression uses antidepressants that increase levels of seratonin at synapses

Scientific methods
- uses scanning techniques
- precise and highly objective methods

Question 7

what are the limitations of the biological approach

Answer 7

Biological Determinism
- sees human behaviour as governed by internal genetic causes over which we have no control
- genotype is influenced by the environment - not all identical twins look the same

• antidepressants don’t work for everyone