approaches- biological approach

Question 1

‘everything psychological is first biological’

Answer 1

if we want to fully understand human behaviour we must look to biological structures and processes within the body, such as genes and neurochemistry

Question 2

the mind and body for the biological approach

Answer 2

-mind and body are one and the same
-mind lives in the brain- meaning all thoughts, feelings and behaviour ultimately have a physical basis
-contrasts cognitive which sees mind as separate from brain

Question 3

what’s the neurochemical basis of behaviour?

Answer 3

an imbalance of some neurotransmitters may be a cause of some mental disorders e.g. the underproduction serotonin in OCD

Question 4

neurochemistry

Answer 4

action of chemicals in the brain- neurotransmitters transmit messages

Question 5

what’s the genetic basis of behaviour?

Answer 5

-psychological characteristics (e.g. intelligence) are inherited
-twin studies used to investigate genetic influences. concordance rates between twins calculated
-higher concordance rates among identical (MZ) twins than DZ twins is evidence of a genetic basis

Question 6

MZ twins

Answer 6

monozygotic twins
-genetically 100% the same
-identical twins

Question 7

DZ twins

Answer 7

dizygotic twins
-about 50% the same
-non-identical

Question 8

genotype

Answer 8

persons actual genetic makeup

Question 9

phenotype

Answer 9

the way the genes are expressed through physical, behavioural, and psychological characteristics

Question 10

what is the significance of genotypes and phenotypes for the biological approach?

Answer 10

-expression of genotype (phenotype) is influenced by environmental factors
-for example phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder that can be prevented by a restricted diet
-suggests that much of human behaviour depends on the interaction of nature and nurture

Question 11

theory of evolution

Answer 11

-darwin (1859) proposed theory of ns
-any genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival and reproduction will be passed on to future generations
-such genes are described as adaptive and give the possessor and offspring an advantage

Question 12

ao3 of biological approach: real-world application

Answer 12

-understanding of neurochemical processes in the brain has led to the use of psychoactive drugs to treat serious mental disorder
-for example, drugs that clinical depression increase levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin at the synapse and reduce the depressive symptoms
-means that people w depression are able to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life, rather than being confined to hospital

Question 13

ao3 of biological approach: scientific methods

Answer 13

-both genetic and neurochemical factors, that biological approach makes use of a range of precise and objective methods
-these include scanning techniques (e.g. fMRI) which assess biological processes in ways that are not open to bias
-means that the biological approach is based on objective and reliable data

Question 14

ao3 of biological approach: determinist

Answer 14

-biological explanations tend to be determinist in that they see human behaviour as governed by internal, genetic causes over which we have no control
-however, the way genotype is expressed (phenotype) is heavily influenced by the environment. not even genetically identical twins look and think exactly the same
-suggests that the biological view is too simplistic and ignores the mediating effects of the environment.

Question 15

ao3 of biological approach: natural selection

Answer 15

-critics of Darwin’s work such as Popper, claim it is not possible to show evolution happening, only that it has taken place (unfalsifiable)
-however, others argue ns is supported by fossil fuels records (e.g. gradually changing from dinosaurs to birds)
-suggests through ns is not able to tell us what species evolve into, it provides an adequate account of past development