Approaches In Psychology - The Biological Approach Flashcards
What are genes?
Make up chromosomes & consists of DNA which codes the physical features of an organism
What is a biological structure?
An arrangement/organisation of parts to form an organ/system/living things
What is neurochemistry?
Relates to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functions
What is genotype?
The particular set of genes that a person possesses
What is phenotype?
The characteristics of an individual determined by genes & the environment
What is evolution?
The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
What is concordance rate?
Expresses the likelihood that a trait present in one twin is found in the other
What is the biological approach?
A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body
What are the assumptions of the biological approach?
We must look at biological structures & processes in order to understand human behaviour
The mind lives in the brain - all behaviour has a physical basis (opposite of cognitive approach)
How does neurochemistry have an affect on the basis of behaviour?
Refers to the action of chemicals in the brain - behaviour relies on chemical transmission through neurotransmitters
An imbalance of neurochemicals is implicated as a possible cause of mental illness
How does genetics have an affect on the basis of behaviour & how it is shown?
Twin studies are used to show if psychological characteristics have a genetic basis - measured through concordance rates
If a characteristic is affected by genetics, monozygotic twins will be concordance (different for dizygotic)
What did Charles Darwin say about evolution & natural selection?
He said that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual’s survival & reproduction will continue to future generations
Happens naturally in nature, the possessor is more likely to survive & pass genes onto offspring
What are the strengths of the biological approach?
Real-world application - increase knowledge of neurochemical processes is associated with the use of psychoactive drugs (e.g. antidepressants) which has allowed people with mental disorders to live a relatively normal life than remain in hospital
Scientific mentors - use scanning techniques e.g. fMRIs & EEGs which are precise & objective - biological approach is based on objective & reliable data
What are the limitations of the biological approach?
Antidepressants aren’t a universal treatment - study by Cipriani et al compared 21 antidepressants & found wide varieties in their effectiveness although they are more effective than placebos - suggests brain chemistry alone may not account for all cases of mental disorders
Biological determinism - sees behaviour as governed by internal genetic causes of which we have no control - twin studies show different (they dont think/look the same) & becomes difficult in the base of violent crime - so simplistic & ignores the mediating effects of the environmetn
Natural selection - Karl popper said you cant falsify the theory of natural selection as we cant show its happening but we can only deduce its taken place
