Approaches In Psychology

Question 1

Wilhelm Wundt helped move psychology from its philosophical roots to becoming…

Answer 1

Research and experiment based

Question 2

What did Wilhelm Wundt open?

Answer 2

Experimental institute at the University of Leipzeg in Germany in 1879

Question 3

What was Wundst aim, first task and what is the definition for it

Answer 3

To scientifically study mental processes
Introspection
The systematic analysis of our conscious experience of a stimulus

Question 4

How is the experience analysed?(Give some examples)
It is done while focusing on…
What and who did it pave the path for
Definition of objective

Answer 4

-Experience is analysed in terms of its component parts(sensations, images, emotions)
-It is done while focusing on an everyday object such as a ticking metronome
-Paved the path for controlled research and more objective study of mental processes+Cognitive psychologists
-Objective-unnaffected by personal opinions/bias

Question 5

What are the 3 main ways Wundt contributed to psychology as a science, give the definition and explain it

Answer 5

-USE OF CONTROLLED CONDITIONS (ensuring no factors apart from those you want to study, affects participants)
No other noises apart from the ticking metronome, controlled distractions
-STANDARDISATION(using the same procedure for all people)
All participants have the same experience-ticking metronome
-REPLICABILITY
It’s reproducible and repeatable as it is done using a standardised procedure

Question 6

6 MARKER What was Wilhelm Wundt’s input into Psychology

Answer 6

-Helped move Psychology from philosophical roots to…
-Opened experimental institute…
-Aim is to…
-First task is introspection which is…
-Experience is analysed in terms of…for example…
-Done while focusing on…
-Paved the path for…

Question 7

What is the order of approaches in the emergence of psychology as a science

Answer 7

Psychodynamic approach Freud
Behaviourist approach Watson And Skinner
Humanist approach
Cognitive approach
Biological approach

Question 8

Explain all the approaches and it’s contribution to psychology as a science

Answer 8

PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH (FREUD)
-Studied abnormal behaviour and focused on unconscious thoughts
-Clinical evidence to support/refute theory
-Adopted a form of empiricism which is where knowledge is gained from sensory experience(rather than relying on self report)
BEHAVIOURIST APPROACH (WATSON, SKINNER)
-Wanted control: ability to manipulate factors/variable in an experiment
-Experiments in controlled settings
-Objective ways of gathering data on observable behaviour
HUMANISTIC APPROACH
- Wanted psychology to br less scientific than other fields
-Also focused on empiricism
COGNITIVE APPROACH
-Operationalisation make behaviour, characteristics and mental processes measurable numerically
-Study mental processes under controlled conditions
BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
-Measuring physiological processes within the body and brain and the impact of this on behaviour(neurotransmitter)
-Cause and effect relationship (Doing X leads to Y)
When you’re certain x leads to y strong, cause and effect relationship
When you’re not certain x leads to y, weak cause and effect relationship

Question 9

What are the assumptions of the behaviourist approach

Answer 9

-All behaviour is learned from experience from our environment
-Genetics do not bave any influence kn behaviour as you are born as a ‘tabula rasa’ (blank slate)
-Useful to study animals to understand behaviour as the same processes produce conditioning for both humans and other animals

Question 10

Define classic conditioning and operant conditioning

Answer 10

Classic conditioning: learn by making associations
Operant conditioning: learn from consequences

Question 11

Define unconditioned stimulus

Answer 11

An event to which we have a natural, reflex response

Question 12

Classical conditioning
How do you learn through association

Answer 12

Two stimuli are paired to produce the same response

Question 13

Explain the steps before conditioning, during conditioning and after conditioning

Answer 13

BEFORE CONDITIONING
Unconditioned stimulus-> unconditioned response
DURING CONDITIONING
(Pairing) Neutral stimulus + Unconditioned stimulus
AFTER CONDITIONING
Conditioned stimulus -> Condititoned response

Question 14

What are the 2 key studies for the behaviourist approach

Answer 14

Pavlov’s dog
Skinner’s box

Question 15

Explain the key study for the theory of classical conditioning: Pavlov’s Dog

Answer 15

When Pavlov presented dogs with food, the dogs responded by salivating
After, Pavlov repeated pairing the bell and food, when he presented the food, he rang a bell at the same time
After, when he rang the bell, the dogs would salivate in response
Pavlov showed that through the learning of an association between two stimulus, a conditioned response can be produced

Question 16

Define Positive Reinforcement and give an example

Answer 16

Recieveing a pleasant consequence in response to performing a desired behaviour. This increases the likelihood of the desired behaviour
Students fo homework -> praised by teacher -> increases the likelihood of students doing homework

Question 17

Define Punishment and give an example

Answer 17

Receiving an unpleasant consequence in response to demonstrating an undesired behaviour, this reduces the likelihood of the undesired behaviour
(Student does not do homework>gives detention>student less likely to not do homework)

Question 18

Define Negative Reinforcement and give an example

Answer 18

The removal of an unpleasant experience in response to performing a desired behaviour, increases the frequency of the desired behaviour
(In detention until you finish homework)

Question 19

Explain the key study of Skinner’s box that was used to investigate operant conditioning

Answer 19

Food pellets acted as positive reinforcement for pressing the level
Electric shocks can be used as punishment or negative reinforcement

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT- When the light turned on, the eats pulled the lever and relieved pellets, this increased the likelihood of them pulling the lever in the future whenever the lights were turned on
NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
Rats received mild electric shocks from the electric grid, this continued until the rats pulled the lever where the shocks were temporarily disabled. This increased the likelihood of the rats pulling the lever in the future

Question 20

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the behaviourist approach
Give the points

Answer 20

STRENGTHS Have many real life practical applications
Have research support from Pavlov and Skinner
WEAKNESSES Extrapolated from animals
Reductionist

Question 21

One strength of operant conditioning is it has real life applications

Answer 21

One strength of operant conditioning is it has real life applications
The principles of operant conditioning such as positive reinforcement has helped to develop behaviour modification programmes that have been used to chnage behaviour in the real world. For example Token economy is used in institutions like prison to encourage positive behaviour. For example, If a prisoner shows a desirable behaviour such as cleaning their cell, they will receive a token, after collecting a certain number of tokens, they can exchange if for rewards they like for example snacks in long term, their behaviour will be chnages so they will exhibit rehabilitated habitats upon release. This demonstrates the utility of the Behaviourist approach concepts not operant conditioning.

Question 22

One strength of the behaviourist approach is there is research support from Pavlov and Skinner

Answer 22

One strength of the behaviourist approach is there is research support from Pavlov and Skinner.
Pavlov found that following repeated ‘pairings’ of Bell and food (NS + CS), led to dogs being conditioned to salivate when he rang the bell without any food being present. This shows that though building an association between the bell and the food(NS + UCS) led to the learning of a CR which in this case is salivation. Proves that learning occurs through forming associations.

Skinner found that rays could be conditioned to learn through rewards. He found that when rats were given food pellet when lever was puller when lights were on, they were more likely to pull the lever in the future when the lights were on. This shows that reinforcing a behaviour increases the likelihood of this behaviour. Proves that learning occurs through consequences. This increases the validity that learning occurs through consequences.

Question 23

One weakness of the behaviourist approach is the evidence it relies on…

Answer 23

One weakness of the behaviourist approach is the evidence it relies on lacks validity as it is based of animals. For example the principles of classical conditioning I’d based on Pavlovs research done on dogs and operant conditioning is based on Skinner’s research done on rats. This is a weakness because psychologists argue humans are physically and cognitively more complex than animals e.g despite being punished for a behaviour, humans might still do the undesired behaviour if the benefits outweigh costs. So results cannot be extrapolated to humans. As the supporting evidence cannot be applied to humans, this undermines the validity of the behaviourist approach.

Question 24

One weakness of the behaviourist approach is that it can be considered reductionist.

Answer 24

One weakness of the behaviourist approach is that it can be considered reductionist. This is because the BA oversimplified complex behaviour such as learning down to ‘stimulus - response’ associations or consequences. Therefore, it disregards other factors which may influence behaviour like genes/hormones for example, inheriting a faulty version of the 5HTT gene leads to the development and expression of OCD. Since human behaviour is best understood in a holistic way, taking into account both environmental and biological factors, behaviourist approach is invalid as it fails to do this. Therefore, since the behaviourist approach is reductionist, it leads to over simplistic and incomplete explanations for very complex behaviours. This reduces the validity of the BA.

Question 25

What are the 2 learning theories

Answer 25

Behaviorist approach
Social learning theory

Question 26

What are the assumptions of the soicla learning theory

Answer 26

-Behaviour is learnt from our environment but there is an interaction between he environment, behaviour and cognitive processes
-Behaviour can be learned from observing and imitating the behaviour of role models(e.g. parents, peers, celebrities)
-4 mediational processes(mental processes that occurs during the model displaying a behaviour and the imitation of the observer) attention, retention, reproduction and motivation are involved in learning

Question 27

Define mediational processes

Answer 27

Mental processes that occur between the model showing a behaviour and the observer imitating the behaviour

Question 28

Define role model

Answer 28

A person who can demonstrate a behaviour which can be observed by others

Question 29

Define modelling

Answer 29

Role model demonstrates a behaviour, the behaviour is observed and imitated

Question 30

Explain identification

Answer 30

Identification is when you associate yourself with someone and want to be like them
-People (especially children) are more likely to imitate the behaviour of poeple they identify with (role models)
-This works mostly when the Role model has similar characteristics to you, is attractive or has high status

Question 31

What is vicarious reinforcement

Answer 31

Indirect reinforcement that happnes through observing the behaviour of others.
- Role model reinforced for their behaviour -> more likely to imitate them (get the same reward too)
- If they are punish for their behaviour -> less likely to imitate behaviour.

Question 32

Explain mediational processes and each of the steps

Answer 32

• It follows a linear process.
• If one of the mediation process is missed, imitation won’t occur
• It takes into account cognitive mediational processes
• ATTENTION : Pay attention to the new behaviour.
• RETENTION : Forming a mental representation of observed behaviour and storing it in memory.
• REPRODUCTION : Ask ourselves if we have the capacity to imitate the behaviour.
• MOTIVATION: Assess the possible consequences of producing the behaviour. Based on the consequence of the role model (vicarious reinforcement), we can imitate the behaviou

Question 33

What are the 3 strengths of the Social learning theory
What is a limitation of the Social Learning Theory
Give points

Answer 33

It acknowledges mental processes
It has practical applications
Research support from Bandura

Has a limited explanatory scope

Question 34

One strength of the SLT is there is research support from Bandura

Answer 34

One strength of the SLT is there is research support from Bandura
Bandura found that children were more likely to demonstrate aggression if they observed a role model showing aggression compared to a role model showing non aggression. Bandura also found that children were more likely to imitate same sex role models.
This supports SLT as it shows as it shows thag when behaviour is observed and the role model is paid attention to, you can learn behaviour.
This also supports the idea of identification as children were more likely to imitate behaviour is the role model were the same sex as them
Therefore this proves the validity of the Social learning theory

Question 35

One strength of SLT is it has practical applications

Answer 35

A strength of the SLT is if has practical applications.
For example, sports coaches use concepts such as modelling by demonstrating behaviour they would like their students to imitate and learn. For example they would demonstrate how to do a layup and ask students to do the same.
Furthermore, they can use vicarious reinforcement by rewarding pupils who show the right technique to ensure other students observing, imitate the technique to recieve the same reward and learn the behaviour.
This demonstrates that SLT is not a purely theoretical idea as it can be applied to everyday lives to help improve the lives of people.

Question 36

One limitation of the Social Learning Theory it is has limited explanatory scope

Answer 36

One limitation of the Social Learning Theory it is has limited explanatory scope.
It does not not explain how we aquire complex behaviours that are not observed.
For example when a person has schizophrenia, they will experience auditory hallucinations and delusions
Schizophrenia shows behaviour that the person has never observed before so observation and imitation may not be the only process of acquiring new behaviour
Other factors such as inheriting faulty genes may also play a role.
Therefore the SLT can be considered incomplete as it does not explain the learning of hnobservable behaviour, therefore reducing its validity.

Question 37

In Bandura’s Bobo doll experiement:
How many children were tested (Boys/Girls)
What Nursery did they go
What ages were they
Describe the aggressive model condition
Describe the non aggressive model condition
What happened in the control group

Answer 37

72 children (36 boys and 36 girls)
Stanford University Nursery
Children aged 3 to 6
Aggressive model condition-> children observed an adult hitting a bobo doll with a hammer and being verbally abusive to it
Non aggressive model condition-> Children observed an adult playing quietly and ignoring the bobo doll
Control group -> Children didn’t observe any model

Question 38

What are the findings from Bandura’s bobo doll experiment

Answer 38

-Children who observed the role model being aggressive to the bobo doll were more likely to be aggressive towards the doll than those who were in non aggressive or control group
- Gender differences as boys were more physically aggressive howver girls were more verbally aggressive
-Level of imitation was greater for same sex models than opposite sex models

Question 39

What are the conclusions of Bandura’s bobo doll experiment

Answer 39

• Children are able to learn social behaviour through observation of role models
• Imitation can be seen even after the delay from the learning
• The more characteristics you share with your role model, the more likely you are to imitate their behaviour

Question 40

What are the assumptions of the Cognitive approach

Answer 40

-The human mind is like a computer
-Behaviour is the result of internal mental processes
-Information we take in through our senses is actively processed, humans do not passively respond to their environment

Question 41

What are the 4 AO1 for the cognitive approach

Answer 41

Theoretical models
Inference
The role of Schemas

Question 42

THEORETICAL MODELS - Cognitive approach
Define Theoretical models
Explain input, storage and output

Answer 42

Theoretic model definition: Frameworks developed by cognitive psychologists to help explain a cognitive process using series of processes/components/steps
Sensory information is received from the environment and encoded he senses(input), this information goes through cognitive mental processes such as attention and perception(storage), the behaviour response is based on mental processes

Question 43

COGNITIVE APPROACH: The study of internal mental processes
Internal mental processes such as —– and —— are —- and cannot be —— —–, however, how do cognitive psychologists study them

Answer 43

Internal mental processes such as decision making and memory are private and cannot be observed directly. However, cognitive psychologists study them scientifically using inference

Question 44

Define inference

Answer 44

-Taking clues from observable behaviour to fine out what is happening in the internal mental processes of the observable mind
-Go beyond the observable behaviour of participants to draw conclusions about internal mental processes based on evidence and reasoning

Question 45

COGNITIVE APPROACH : The rope of schemas
Define schema

Answer 45

-Cognitive framework that helps organise and interpret information
-Acts as ‘package’s knowledge developed through experience
-Take quick mental shortcuts when interpreting huge amounts of information
-fill in the gaps in information + informs out expectations + behave ‘appropriately’ in a situation
-At times, we ignore information which does not fit our stereotype

Question 46

What are the 3 strengths and 1 weakness of Cognitive approach

Answer 46

Strengths: It is considered scientific
Supporting evidence that behaviours like mental abnormalities can result from faulty cognitions
It has real life applications

Weakness: Incomplete

Question 47

A strength of the cognitive approach is there is supporting evidence that behaviours like mental abnormalities can result from faulty cognitions

Answer 47

A strength of the cognitive approach is there is supporting evidence that behaviours like mental abnormalities can result from faulty cognitions.
For example, Beck found that faulty Schemas can lead to negative beliefs about the self, world and future which leads to abnormal behaviour such as depression
Ellis also showed that having consistent negative and irrational beliefs can make people more vulnerable to depression like behaviour.
This shows shows our mental processes strongly influence our behaviour and therfore support a key assumption of the cognitive approach. This increases the validity of the approach.

Question 48

A strength of the Cognitive approach is it has real life applications which improves people’s mental health

Answer 48

A strength of the Cognitive approach is it has real life applications which improves people’s mental health.
Research has been done to explain faulty cognitions and how it leads to depression and this led to formulation of treatments such as CBT (Cognitive behaviour theory)
This is where the negative schemas are identified and broken down and replaced with positive beliefs about self and this leads to the treatment of depression.
Furthermore, David et Al found that CBT is one of the most effective treatments for depression. Therfore, this increases the validity of the Cogitive approach

Question 49

A strength of the cognitive approach is It is considered scientific because the evidence it relies on uses high levels of control and scientific methods to study mental processes.

Answer 49

A strength of the cognitive approach I’d It is considered scientific because the evidence it relies on uses high levels of control and scientific methods to study mental processes.
Firstly, cognitive studies have a high level of control with allows us to establish a standardise procedure within an experiement so others can replicate it to check for the reliability of the findings
High levels of control also eliminate extraneous variables so there is a stronger cause and effect relationship between the independent variable and dependent variable and this increases the validity
Also, operationalisarion which is when mental processes can be measured numerically, helps gather objective data which is unaffected by personal opinion and bias
The supporting evidence has very high scientific rigour which means the cognitive approach is scientifically credible

Question 50

A weakness of the cognitive approach is that it may be considered an incomplete explanation of behaviour and mental processes

Answer 50

A weakness of the cognitive approach is that it may be considered an incomplete explanation of behaviour and mental processes.
The cognitive approach does take into account internal mental processes and role of experience(experience helps develop schemas) when looking at behaviour and emotions.
However, it doesn’t take into account how biological factors such as genes and neurotransmitters influence behaviour. For example, inheriting the faulty version of the 5HTT gene can lead to the development of OCD
Therefore, behaviour is not just due to internal mental processes and experience but also due to our biology
Since the cognitive approach doesn’t take the biological factor into account, it can be considered incomplete and therefore it reduces the validity of the Cognitive approach

Question 51

THE EMERGENCE OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
Define cognitive neuroscience
How is this done
Brain imaging techniques such as…
If one part of the brain is active during a task and not active during other tasks, what does it show?

Answer 51

-Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the biological basis for mental processing, specifically how neurons behave during those processes
-This is done by measuring the activity of parts of the brain during cognitive processing
-Brain imaging techniques such as fMRI and PET scans allow scientists to systematically observe and decribe the neurological basis of mental processing. Participants do cognitive tests whilst their brains are scanned.
If one part of the brain is active during a task and not sctive during other tests, that area of the brain is responsible for the mental processing required for that task.

Question 52

What is the aim of Bandura’s bobo doll experiment

Answer 52

To see if role models can influence behaviour even when no longer present

Question 53

NOT IN ESSAY
Explain three distortions caused by the use of schemas

Answer 53

-Leads to stereotyping others based on our past experiences
-Could lead to forgetting or ignoring information that doesn’t not fit our schemas
-Making errors when performing new tasks as we still apply out old understanding

Question 54

What are the assumptions of the biological approach

Answer 54

-Everything psychological has a biological basis
-Our biology is determined by evolution and genetics
-To investigate the mind, we must study the physical brain

Question 55

What are the 4 AO1s for the biological approach

Answer 55

Genetic basis of behaviour
The brain
Neurotransmitters
Evolution and behaviour

Question 56

NOT IN ESSAY
Genetics basis of behaviour BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
Who is DNA passes onto from who during when?
How many genes does the human Genome contain on how many Chromosomes and where do these chromosomes come from and how many
How many copies of each gene does a person have

Answer 56

DNA is passed from adult organisms to their offspring during conception
Human Genome contains about 30,000 genes on 46 Chromosomes, 23 from mother paired with 23 from father
Every person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent

Question 57

Genetics basis of behaviour BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
Define gene and what are its 3 functions
Explain how genes have an indirect impact on behaviour

Answer 57

Gene is a section of DNA on a chromosome
They have the genetic code for making enzymes and hormones
They control the development of alleles and characteristics of organisms
They code for the development and functioning of CNS which includes the brain and spinal cord
If problems occur in the gene, it will lead to inadequate functioning of the CNS which leads to inadequate behaviour

Question 58

How are genes linked to human behaviour such as OCD

Answer 58

Researchers have found genes that lead to a vulnerability for OCD and these are called OCD candidate genes
For example, the 5HTT gene is responsible for the transportation of serotonin. If you inherited the faulty version of the 5HTT gene, less serotonin is transported and this reduces the levels of serotonin in synapses which leads to OCD

Question 59

The brain BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
What does the brain do
What is the cerebral cortex responsible for
What happened if there’s damage or problems in part of the brain

Answer 59

The brain controls our day to day behaviour and is responsible for the production of out thoughts, emotions and sensations
The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher order functions for example thoughts and language
If there’s damage or a problem in part of the brain, it can affect the thinking ability which affects behaviour

Question 60

Neurotransmitters BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
Describe Neurotransmitters
Explain the two different types neurotransmitters and give an example

Answer 60

Parts of the brain that allow the brain to communicate (neurons in the brain communicate through chemicals and electrical impulses)
-They are chemical messengers that travel back and forth in the synapse to pass information between neurons
-After neurotransmitters are released, they travel across the gap between two neurones (synpase) where information is passed onto the next neurone
-Excitary neurotransmitters: Increase the likelihood of a post synaptic neuron firing (Dopamine)
-Inhibitory neurotransmitters: Decreases the likelihood of a post synaptic neurone firing(Seretonin)

Question 61

Neurotransmitters BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
How are neurotransmitters linked to human behaviour
Give an example

Answer 61

If there are are problems with the levels of activity of neurotransmitters, neurons and parts of the brain can’t pass impulses or communicate effectively which leads to abnormal behaviour
For example, low levels of serotonin can lead to depression

Question 62

NOT IN ESSAY
Evolution and behaviour BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
Explain how this works using the behaviour Agression

Answer 62

-Random mutation (Producing testosterone can lead to agression)
-Leads to adaptive characteristics
-More likely to survive due to natural selection
-Reproduce and pass on traits that helped you survive
-Continues through several generations
-Overtime evolution happened and everyone shows the characteristic(Aggresion)

Question 63

What are two strengths and two weaknesses of the biological approach

Answer 63

STRENGTHS: Supporting evidence for genetic explanations
Practical application of biochemical explanation
WEAKNESSES: Nature and nurture can’t be easily seperates
Can be considered reductionist

Question 64

One weakness of the biological approach is it can be considered reductionist as it…

Answer 64

One weakness of the biological approach is it can be considered reductionist as it oversimplifies complex behaviour down do simplistic low level causes such as genes.
It does not take into account the environmental factor that can influence behaviour
For example, the Diathesis stress model says that genes give vulnerability to a behaviour, but do develop it, there has to be a environmental stresser which leads to the expression of abnormal behaviour
Since the biological approach does not take into account the interaction between biological and environmental factors, it is incomplete and therfore, this reduces the validity of the behaviourist approach

Question 65

What other the other definitions for classical conditioning

Answer 65

Extinction: When conditioned stimulus is no logner presented alongside the unconditioned stimulus, they stop showing the conditioned response to the conditioned stimulus Overtime
Spontaneous recovery: Immediate return of conditioned response when conditioned stimulus is prestned with a unconditioned stimulus after a period of exnticiton
Generalisation: conditioned response is shown in response to stimuli that are similar to conditioned stimulus

Question 66

What are the two strengths and two weaknesses of the biological approach

Answer 66

STRENGTHS: Research support from twin studies
Practical applications
WEAKNESSES: Reductionist
The evidence it relies on has questionable validity

Question 67

What is concordance rate in twins studies

Answer 67

The probability that both poeple in a set of twins show a behaviour

Question 68

One strength of the biological approach is there is research support from twin studies that show that genes affect behaviour.

Answer 68

One strength of the biological approach is there is research support from twin studies that show that genes affect behaviour.
For example, Mcguffin carried out a twin study on depression and found that the concordance rates for MZ twins are 46% and for DZ twins, it is 20%
(GOLDEN RULE) This shows that as the proportion of shared genes increases when comparing DZ twins (share 50% genes) to MZ twins (share 100% genes), the probability of both of the twins having depression increases
This supports the biological approach as it shows that genetics affect behaviour
This increases the validity of the biological approach

Question 69

One strength of the biological approach is it has practical applications

Answer 69

One strength of the biological approach is it has practical applications
Understanding the impact of neurotransmitters or brain functioning and behaviour has led to the development of drugs which changes levels of neurotransmitters in the brain
For example, knowing that low levels of seretonin can lead to depression has led to the development of antidepressants such as SSRIs which increases the levels of serotonin in synapses. This treats depression and improves the lives of others
This shows that applications of the biological approach can be useful to people
Giltin found that antidepressants are effective in reducing symptoms in 65% to 75% of cases
As this treatment is effective it dhlws thag the principles of the biological approach that this treatment is based on must also be valid

Question 70

One weakness of the biological approach is that the evidence it relies on has questionable validity

Answer 70

One weakness of the biological approach is that the evidence it relies on has questionable validity.
Twin studies assume that MZ twins have a higher concordance rate than DZ twins because they have a higher genetic similarity
This means, twin studies make EEA(Equal Environment Assumption) so they assume that MZ twins get treated the same as DZ twins.
Therefore, it doesn’t take into account that since MZ twins are identical and look very similar, they get similar treatment from the environment. However, DZ twins are non identical and may not look similar so do not get similar treatment
Therefore, the difference in concordance rate may not be due to genetic similarity but because MZ twins get more similar treatment from the environment than DZ twins
Since twin studies have questionable validity, this also makes us question the validity of the biological approach

Question 71

Define genotype
Define phenotype

Answer 71

GENOTYPE: Genes an organism has inherited
PHENOTYPE: Traits that are actually expressed

Question 72

Whether or not a gene is expressed depends on two different things
What are they?

Answer 72

The interaction of genes with other genes
The interaction between genotypes and environment

Question 73

If a characteristics is purely genetic, we would expect the concordance rate for MZ twins to be… and for DZ twins…
If the concordance rate is significantly higher for MZ twins compares to DZ twins this suggests…
100%
50%

Answer 73

Genes influence characteristics

Question 74

BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
If the concordance rate for MZ twins and DZ twins is similar, this suggests…

Answer 74

Genes do not influence a characteristic, it is the environment

Question 75

What is the golden rule of twin studies

Answer 75

As the proportion of shared genes increases when comparing DZ(share 50% genes) twins to MZ twins(share 100% genes) the probability of both the twins showing the same charecteristic also increases

Question 76

EXAM STYLE QUESTION
Below are the findings for a study on the influence of genes on anorexia. There were 100 MZ twin pairs studied. They were then classes into 2 categories. Twin pairs that both have anorexia and twin pairs, where one has anorexia and 1 does not. What does this show about anorexia?
What are the 4 points that need to be written?

Answer 76

Define genotype
Define phenotype
Twins that both show the behaviour is due to the fact they share 100% genes
The twins where only one of them show the behaviour is due to the invironment influences how the genotype turns into a phenotype e.g. if one of the twins has a friend who is anorexic, that twin is more likely to have anorexia

Question 77

What are the 4 AO1s for biopsychology

Answer 77

Divisions of the nervous system
The structure and function of neurons
The endocrine system
The fight or flight response

Question 78

Describe the central nervous system simply

Answer 78

Consists of the brain and spinal cord
Recieves sensory information and controls bodily responses

Question 79

Describe the peripheral nervous system simply

Answer 79

Nerves outside of CNS(brain and spinal cord)
Connects the CNS to organs, limbs and skin

Question 80

BIOPSYCHOLOGY
What is the tree for the nervous system

Answer 80

Central nervous system and Peripheral nervous system
PNS: Autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system
ANS: Synpathetic branch and parasympathetic branch

Question 81

Biopsychology
Explain the Central Nervous System

Answer 81

-Made up of the brain and spinal cord
-Different areas of the brain have different functions ranging from higher level functions such as controlling thoughts, general awareness, decision making and speech to controlling skills and movement
-The brain analyses information received by the senses, it makes a decision and then coordinates a response
-The spinal cord relays information between the brain and the rest of the body
-Full of relay neurones

Question 82

Explain the peripheral nervous system
Explain the autonomic nervous system
Explain the sympathetic branch
Explain the parasympathetic branch
Explain somatic nervous system

Answer 82

PNS: Made up of all the nerves outside the cns, relays nerve impulses between the cns and the rest of the body . Has two main Divisions ans and sns
ANS: Connect brain to internal organs and glands and controls internal organs and glands, controls involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate and digestion, has 2 Divisions sympathetic branch and parasympathetic branch
SYMPATHETIC BRANCH: arousing effect on the body such as preparing fathers body for ‘Fight or flight’, increases heart rate and breathing rate
PARASYMPATHETIC BRANCH: calming effect on the body and helps the body return to homeostasis after a period of excitation
SNS: Responsible for voluntary, motor movements nerves recieve an input from sense organs and carry out an output to control voluntary muscle movements, made up of sensory and motor neurones(no relay), connects the cns to senses and effectors

Question 83

Describe the structure of Sesnsory neurones, realy neurones and motor neurones

Answer 83

SENSORY: Short axons, Long dendrites, Unipolar cell body
RELAY: Short axons, Short dendrites, Multipolar cell body
MOTOR: Long axons, Short dendrites, Multipolar cell body

Question 84

What is the function of the Relay neurone

Answer 84

Analyses the sensation and decides how to respond to it

Question 85

What is the function of the motor neurone

Answer 85

Transmits nerve impulses from the CNS to muscles or glands

Question 86

Where is the cell body located in sensory, relay and motor neurones?
Which neurones have a myelin sheath and which don’t?

Answer 86

Cell body is in the middle in a sensory neurone
Cell body is at the top in relay and motor neurones
Relay neurones don’t have a myelin sheaths but sensory and motor neurones have a myelin sheath

Question 87

Do they send or receive information
Afferent neurones
Efferent neurones

Answer 87

Afferent- Sends information
Efferent- Sends and receives information

Question 88

What are the ends of dendrites called?

Answer 88

Axon terminals

Question 89

What is synaptic transmission
Name the 4 stages of synaptic transmission

Answer 89

The process of transmitting an electrical impulses from the presynaptic to post synaptic neurone
1. Synthesis
2. Release
3.Receptor activation
4.Deactivation

Question 90

Explain the 4 processes: SYNTHESIS, RELEASE, RECEPTOR ACTIVATION, DEACTIVATION

Answer 90

SYNTHESIS: Chemicals are transported through the axon terminals, chemicals are used to produce neurotransmitters
RELEASE: In response to electrical impulses, the neurotransmitters are released from the vesicles into the synaptic gap
RECEPTOR ACTIVATION: Neurotransmitters Cross over the synaptic gap by diffusion and binds to the specific receptor on the post synaptic neurone
DEACTIVATION: The neurotransmitters unbind from receptor sites and either go through a process of reuptake or are broken down by enzymes in the synapse

Question 91

When we perceive a stressor, the brain activates the …. which causes …… …. in the body to help us ….. which is known as the …….. response

Answer 91

When we perceive a stressor, the brain activates the symapthomedullary pathway which causes physiological changes in the body to help us cope with the situation which is known as the fight or flight response

Question 92

Explain what happens in the sympathomedullary pathway

Answer 92

• A stresser is perceived, and threat is assessed
  -The hypothalamus activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
• Sympathetic nerves transmit the signal from the central nervous system to the adrenal glands
  -The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream
  -Adrenaline constricts blood vessels in skin to divert blood to the muscles

Question 93

Does adrenaline increase or decrease each action and explain why
Heart rate
Blood pressure
Lung function
Blood glucose
Pupil size
Blood flow to muscles
Salivation
Digestion

Answer 93

Heart rate-Increases, speed up Blood flow
Blood pressure-Increases, speed up Blood flow
Lung function-Increases, to provide more oxygen to fuel muscles
Blood glucose-To provide more energy
Pupil size-Increases, dilated, to let in more light so we can see the stressor more clearly
Blood flow to muscles - Increases, increase physical mobility
Salivation-Decreases, digestion isn’t prioritised
Digestion-Decreases, Blood is diverted away from digestion to muscles

Question 94

Explain the parasympathetic response

Answer 94

-Once the threat of a stressor has gone, the autonomic nervous system switches from the activation of the sympathetic branch to the parasympathetic branch
-Reduces the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream
-Calming effect on the body known as the ‘rest and digest’ response which involves the decrease of heart rate and return of digestive processes
-Parasympathetic activation allows the body to return to a balanced state known as homeostasis

Question 95

One limitation of the fight or flight response is…

Answer 95

One limitation of the fight or flight repsinse is that human behaviour is not restricted to only two responses during a threating situation. Gray argues that the first response to danger is to freeze which is when you are hyper vigilant and assess the situation carefully to decide on the best course of action. This suggests the fight or flight response I’d too restrictive as it does not explain behavioual response to threats and it does not take into account how cognitive or biological factors can influence behaviour. This shows that research into fight or flight responses is incomplete and therfore reduces the validity of our understanding on this behaviour

Question 96

What are the two parts you need to talk about when explaining synaptic transmission

Answer 96

Neurotransmitters
Electrical impulses

Question 97

After the Inhibitory/Excitatory NT binds to the receptor, what step is it followed by
What is this step

Answer 97

Summation
The combining and aggregation of the EPSP and IPSP in the neurone

Question 98

During summation, explain what will happen if the EPSP>IPSP

Answer 98

Post synaptic neurone will have an overall positive charge
Will lead to depolarisation
Neurone is more likely to fire and electrical impulse

Question 99

During summation, explain what will happen if the IPSP>EPSP

Answer 99

Post synaptic neurone will have an overall negative charge
Will lead to hyperpolarisation
Neurone is less likely to fire and electrical impulse

Question 100

Why can the signals in a synapse only travel in one direction

Answer 100

-The vesicles containing neurotransmitters are only released from pre synaptic neurones
-The receptors that neurotransmitters bind to are only present on the post synaptic neurone
-Neurotransmitters move from an area of high concentration to low concentration so travel from the pre synaptic neurone to the post synaptic neurone

Question 101

Define hormones

Answer 101

Hormones are chemicals that are produced by glands in the endocrine system and are secreted into the bloodstream. They travel to target organs/cells and interact with receptors on ghd surface or inside of cells to cause their influence

Question 102

Define the endocrine system and explain it

Answer 102

Responsible for secretion of hormones required to regulate bodily functions
Also provides a chemical system of communication through the bloodstream

Question 103

What is the function of the endocrine system
What will you mention here?

Answer 103

Definition and example

Question 104

What are the three key glands in the endocrine system

Answer 104

Pituitary gland
Adrenal gland
Thyroid gland