Approaches - The Biological Approach

Question 1

AO1

Answer 1

• Evolution – refers to the change over successive generations of the genetic make-up of a particular population which can be shown through Darwin’s research
• Gene – a part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA
• Heredity – the passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through genes
• Heritability – the amount of variability in a trait within a population that can be attributed to genes
• Neurochemistry – the study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system
• Neurotransmitter – a chemical that communicates information from one neuron to another

Question 2

AO3

Answer 2

• A strength of the biological approach is that it has real word application
• For example, the biological approach has promoted the treatment of clinical depression using antidepressant drugs that increase levels of neurotransmitter serotonin in the synapses in the brain. Such drugs have been associated with the reduction of depressive symptoms.
• This is a strength because increased understanding of neurochemical processes in the brain is associated with the use of psychoactive drugs to treat serious mental disorders, showing its reliability to the approach
• However, it can be argued that although antidepressant drugs are successful for many patients, they do not work for everyone, suggesting that brain chemistry alone may not account for all cases, for example, depression.
• Despite that, with the use of psychoactive drugs, people with depression may be better able to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life, rather than remain in hospital
• Thus increasing the validity of the biological approach
• Another strength of the approach is that it uses scientific methods of investigation
• For example, scanning techniques such as fMRIs and EEGs help to investigate the genetic biological bias of behaviour as these techniques are precise and highly objective methods.
• This is a strength because with advances in technology, it is possible to accurately measure physiological and neural processes in a way that is not open to bias. In addition, increasing the generalisability through the use of scientific methods.
• However, it can be argued that the biological approach cannot be generalised as it is based off of genetic data instead of the person themselves and the way they think.
• Despite that, much of biological approach is based on objective and reliable data
• Thus increasing the validity of the biological approach
• A weakness of the biological approach is that it is determinist
• For example, the biological approach sees human behaviour as governed by internal, genetic causes over which we have no control. Additionally, a purely genetic argument becomes problematic when we consider things such as crime
• This is a weakness because the way an individual’s genotype is expressed is heavily influenced by the environment. This can be seen through identical twins and how although they share the sane genes and possibly the same looks that does not mean they think the same. In addition, we can’t excuse the actions of a violent criminal by claiming their behaviour was controlled by a ‘crime gene’
• However, it can be argued that biological determinism can help to predict certain behaviours or characteristics based on biological factors like understanding genetic dispositions can help to anticipate health conditions or susceptibilities
• Despite this, the biological view can be seen as often too simplistic and it ignores the mediating effects of the environment
• Thus decreasing the validity of the biological approach

Question 3

evolution

Answer 3

refers to the change over successive generations of the genetic make-up of a particular population

Question 4

natural selection

Answer 4

the process by which inherited characteristics that enhance an individual’s reproductive success are passed on to the next generation and so become more widespread

Question 5

heredity

Answer 5

the passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through genes

Question 6

heritability

Answer 6

the amount of variability in a trait within a population that can be attributed to genes

Question 7

gene

Answer 7

a part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA

Question 8

genotype

Answer 8

the genetic make-up of an individual. the genotype is a collection of inherited genetic material that is passed from generation to generation

Question 9

phenotype

Answer 9

the observable characteristics of an individual. this is a consequence of the interaction of a genotype with the environment

Question 10

CNS

Answer 10

the central nervous system

a connected system that processes, interprets and stores information and issues orders to muscles and glands. the CNS includes the brain and the spinal cord. the spinal cord bridges the gap between the brain and the peripheral nerves

Question 11

PNS

Answer 11

the peripheral nervous system

a connected system that transmits information to and from the CNS comprising of the somatic and autonomic nervous system

Question 12

neurochemistry

Answer 12

the study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system

Question 13

neuron

Answer 13

nerve cell

Question 14

neurotransmitter

Answer 14

a chemical that communicates information from one neuron to another