Approaches : Biological Approach Flashcards
What are Genes?
Genes carry information in the form of DNA, which
carry instructions for characteristics, such as eye colour, intelligence, etc.
What are genotypes?
. A person’s genotype is their
genetic makeup, which is fixed from birth.
What are phenotypes?
A person’s phenotype is the expression of their genes which leads to the observable characteristics of a person. The phenotype is influenced by both the genetic
inheritance and the interaction of this with the environmen
What are neurotransmitters?
At the synapse, signals are sent between neurones by chemicals called neurotransmitters. Imbalances in the number of neurotransmitters are associated with atypical behaviour, for example, too little serotonin has been
associated with depression and too much dopamine has been associated with schizophrenia.
What are hormones?
Other types of chemicals found in the body which can also influence behaviour are called hormones. They
are released into the bloodstream where they travel to the target cells which are activated by them
specifically
What is natural selection?
The process of natural selection, proposed
by Darwin, ensures that characteristics which provide an evolutionary advantage, such as survival and
enhanced reproductive chances, are passed from one generation to the next, whilst others which do not,
die out.
what is weakness evaluation of the biological approach?
- One limitation of the biological approach is that causation is often strongly implied in explanations that
focus on brain structures. For example, one explanation of schizophrenia suggests that a lack of activity
in the ventral striatum is linked to the development of negative symptoms such as avolition. This is a
problem for biological explanations because such research tells us only that there is an association
between brain structures and behaviour; it cannot tell us that the reduced activity in that area of the
brain causes the behaviour, or that the behaviour causes lower activity in that part of the brain. - Another weakness of this approach is that biological explanations of human behaviour may be
considered deterministic. For example, one assumption of the biological approach is that some human
behaviours are the result of evolution: they maximise our chances of survival and reproduction and
thus are ‘naturally selected’ and inherited from our ancestors
what is strength evaluation of the biological approach?
- , a strength of the biological approach is that it often utilises reliable methods of research. For
example, some research into genetics and neurochemistry requires precise scientific methodology,
such as fMRIs, PET scans, drug trials, and EEGs. These techniques provide psychologists with an
accurate measure of internal processes that were previously not accessible.
