Approaches - The Biological Approach Flashcards
What is the biological approach
A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function.
What are genes
They make up chromosomes and consist of DNA which codes the physical features of an organism and psychological features. They are transmitted from parents to offspring i.e. they are inherited.
What is a biological structure
arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ, system or living thing.
What is neuro chemistry
Relating to chemicals in the brain to regulate psychological functioning.
We’d fine genotype
The particular set of genes that a person possesses.
Define phenotype
The characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment
Define evolution
The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
What are the assumptions of the biological approach
Humans are biological organisms made up of physiological processes
Everything psychological is biological at first
To explain human behaviour fully we must look at biological structures and processes such as genes, neurotransmitters and the nervous system
Mind lives within the brain therefore all thoughts , feelings and behaviours ultimately be biological in origin
Genes are ——- from one generation to the next
Inherited
What do genes carry ?
Instructions for a particular characteristic such as intelligence
The way characteristics develop is due to what
The gene and party due to the enviroment
How can the likelihood that certain traits have a genetics base is determined by what
Comparing concordance rates between twins
MZ twins (identical) twins will share what
100% of each other’s gene
Have a predisposition to have the same characteristics
DZ twins (non identical) will share what
50% of each other’s genes
If the MZ twins are found to have a higher concordance rate than dz twins what does it suggest
That the characteristics being investigated has a genetic basis
Explain the distinction between genotype and phenotype
Genotype- genetic code in the dna
Phenotype - physical appearance that results from the inherited information
Genotype and environmental influence
What does the phenotype show about human behaviour
Human behaviour depends on an interaction between inherited factors (nature) and the enviroment (nurture)
How can two people have the same genotype but a different phenotype
Due to their personal choices (the environment) to alter their appearance such as dying their hair or piercing
Different environment such as
What does natural selection suggest
Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individuals survival and reproduction will continue in further generations
Why does natural selection occur
Some traits give possessor a certain advantage which allows them to survive , reproduce and pass on their genes
What is a strength of the biological approach (scientific)
The biological approach uses scientific methods.
The approach uses experimental methods as its main method of investigation which involves highly controlled and sophisticated imaging and recording techniques, including PET scans and fMRIs.
Experimental studies are easy to replicate, thus adding validity to the original findings if they can be reproduced.
What is another strength of the biological approach
successful in developing treatments for psychological disorders.
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) stop the reuptake of serotonin in the synapse and increase the level of serotonin being absorbed by the post-synaptic neuron, alleviating the symptoms of OCD.
The biological approach has therefore helped improve the lives of many sufferers of a range of disorders by providing suitable drug treatment
What is a limitation of the biological approach
Reductionist
One criticism of the biological approach is that it is reductionist.
explains behaviour by breaking it down into genes, hormones and neurotransmitters ignores cognitive and environmental factors.
For example, the biological approach explains OCD through low levels of serotonin only.
However, there are other factors that can contribute to OCD and the biological approach does not consider these other factors.
What is another limitation of the biological approach
The biological approach is deterministic.
It sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control.
individuals are not in control of their behaviour and have no free will to make any decisions.
This has implications for the legal system and wider society as one of the rules of the law is that offenders are seen as legally and morally responsible for their actions.
Eg-> discovery of a “criminal gene”, if there were such a thing, would complicate this principle.
If the concordance rate for a characteristic is 50% for identical twins what conclusions can we get from this
Characteristic is partly due to genetics
Another factor that is present that effects likelihood of developing characteristic as concordance rate isn’t 100%
the genotype will be the same for who
MZ twins
