Approaches Booklet 3: Biological approach Flashcards
What are the 4 sections of AO1 to Biological Approach?
-Genes
-Biological Structures
-Neurochemistry
-Evolution and behaviour
What are the overall assumptions of the Biological Approach?
-All human behaviour can be explained by biological structures and processes in the body
-Understanding brain structure helps us explain thoughts and behaviour
-All thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a physical basis
Why is biological approach assumptions different to cognitive?
Because the cognitive approach sees mental processes of the mind as being separate from the brain
How do genes influences behaviour?
-Genes are inherited and carry information that codes for physical and psychological features
-Genes interact with each other and environment which changes characteristics, for example candidate genes pre-dispose a person but it’s also influenced by experiences/environment
What is a genotype and a phenotype?
Genotype: Genes that an individual possesses / genetic make-up. Genetic code written in the DNA of cells
Phenotype: Observable traits or characteristics shown by individual. These traits due to combined effects of genes and environment
Does the genotype directly effect the way the phenotype is expressed?
Often not, as identical twins have the same genotypes, may experience things in the environment (cosmetics) which changes the way their phenotypes are expressed
What is the role of twin studies in genetics?
Twin studies offer a unique opportunity for researchers to investigate relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences
If MZ twins, who share 100% of genes are more concordant in terms of depression for example, it suggests there is a genetic basis for depression
How much genetics do monozygotic and dizygotic twins share?
MZ - 100%
DZ - 50%
Why can we also look at adoption studies as an alternative to twin studies?
Because the twins are both raised by the same parents so the concordance rate of conditions could be due to environmental conditions they shared
What does evolution say about characteristics?
Charles Darwin proposed his theory called natural selection, he also explained sexual selection.
What does Darwin say about Natural Selection?
If an animal has a characteristic that helps it survive it is more likely to live and reproduce, meaning that the characteristic will get passed onto the next generation through genes
So if you have a trait that helps you survive it means you have an evolutionary advantages as you have adapted to the environment
What does Darwin say about sexual selection?
If you have a trait that makes you more attractive as a mate that will increase your chances of passing your genes onto the next generation, which is sexual selection
What is a biological structure?
An arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ system or living thing is a biological structure. Biological structures refer to any set structure or organs inside of the body, such as:
-The brain
-The nervous system
What is the nervous system?
-A network of cells in the human body, our main internal communication system
-Divided into two sub-system:
CNS Central Nervous System
PNS Peripheral Nervous System
Explain the role of the central nervous system
-Made up of the brain and spinal cord, its function is to control behaviour and regulate physiological processes.
-The brain deals with higher order skills and problem solving
-The spinal cord deals with reflex responses without the brain
