Approaches- The Biological Approach

Question 1

The biological approach argues

Answer 1

The biological approach argues that as humans are biological beings, their behaviour should be explained as a result of biological structures and processes.

Question 2

Biological structures

Answer 2

Biological structures include the hormonal and nervous systems.
Neurochemistry, genetics, and evolution are also aspects of biology that are thought to influence human behaviour.

Question 3

The influence of biological structures on behaviour
-which system is a crucial part of the system?:

Answer 3

The endocrine system is a body-wide system of glands. Each gland releases chemical messengers called hormones.

Question 4

What happens during the fight or flight response?

Answer 4

-the brain signals the adrenal gland to release adrenaline.
-This hormone travels through the bloodstream, enhancing blood flow to the brain and muscles while decreasing it to digestive organs and skin.
-In emergencies, this prioritises quick thinking, attention and reflexes over digestion and reduces potential blood loss from less critical areas.

Question 5

Hormones effect and give an example.

Answer 5

can have long-term effects on both the body and behaviour. For example, sex hormones like testosterone and oestrogen play roles in developing gender-specific physical features.
Testosterone is associated with male traits and is linked to increased aggression.

Question 6

The influence of biological structures on behaviour
The brain:

Answer 6

The brain is the centre of all conscious and unconscious thought

Question 7

Localisation of function

Answer 7

Localisation of function is the idea that specific brain areas are responsible for certain functions

Question 8

The brain stem

Answer 8

The brain stem controls core physiological functions, including heart rate and breathing.

Question 9

Cerebellum

Answer 9

The cerebellum is involved in coordinating muscle movements and balance.

Question 10

The cerebrum

Answer 10

The cerebrum has two hemispheres connected by a bundle of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum.
Each hemisphere is subdivided into four lobes:
occipital (visual perception)
temporal (auditory information) parietal (receives sensory information)
and
frontal (rational decision making).

Question 11

The limbic system

Answer 11

The limbic system the emotional centre of the brain, has structures called the amygdala, the thalamus and the hippocampus

Question 12

Evaluation of influence of biological structures on behaviour

Answer 12

Historically, research that identified the influence of brain structures on behaviour were case studies of unusual individuals;

for example, Tan had difficulty with speech production, only being able to say, Tan.
After Tan died, a post-mortem revealed brain damage in an area that was called Broca’s area after Tan’s doctor.
Modern replicable and objective fMRI brain activation studies show Broca’s area is active when neurotypical brains produce language.

This research confirms the role of brain structures in producing behaviour, in this case, speech production.

Question 13

Brains biological structure consists of

Answer 13

Consists of nerve cells, or neuron’s, through which information travels electrically

Question 14

Do the neurons in the Brains biological brain structure touch each other?

Answer 14

These neurons do not physically touch each other; there is a gap between them known as the synaptic cleft. At this location, known as the synapse, the electrical signal must be converted into a chemical signal to continue its journey to the next neuron.

Question 15

Synapse

Answer 15

The axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron and the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron are close but do not touch.

The presynaptic neuron contains neurotransmitters in vesicles. When an electrical signal called an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Question 16

What happens after the release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft ?

Answer 16

These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.

Neurotransmitters can be excitatory, increasing the likelihood of a new action potential, or inhibitory, decreasing it. excitatory signals outweigh inhibitory ones, the action potential continues.

Question 17

The influence of neurochemistry on behaviour
Neurotransmitters:

Answer 17

Neurotransmitters play a range of roles in influencing behaviour.

Question 18

Serotonin hormone

Answer 18

Associated with well being and happiness

Question 19

Dopamine hormone

Answer 19

Known as the reward neurotransmitter, linked to pleasure, and its levels can be affected by substances like cocaine

Question 20

Noradrenaline hormone

Answer 20

Related to attention

Question 21

Glutamate hormone

Answer 21

Key for learning and memory

Question 22

The influence of genes on behaviour: Genes

Answer 22

Genes: act as the instructions or blueprints for making the components of the organism, including the brain and influence how cells are formed and function, including neuronal cells.

Question 23

Example of a genetic bias

Answer 23

One example of a genetic basis to behaviour is the SERT gene; this part of the genetic code influences serotonin transport and has been associated with the development of OCD, ultimately resulting in compulsions.

Question 24

Genotypes

Answer 24

Genotypes are the genetic codes in the DNA for the characteristics of an organism

Biological psychologists argue that there are genotypes for behaviours, and the phenotype is the expression of the behaviour (e g. being aggressive).

Question 25

Phenotypes

Answer 25

phenotypes are the physical expression of the genotype.

Biological psychologists argue that there are genotypes for behaviours, and the phenotype is the expression of the behaviour (e g. being aggressive).

Question 26

What do biological psychologists argues about the genotype and phenotype?

Answer 26

Biological psychologists argue that there are genotypes for behaviours, and the phenotype is the expression of the behaviour (e g. being aggressive).

Question 27

What do psychologists use to study the genetic inheritance of behaviour ?

Answer 27

Psychologists study the genetic inheritance of behaviour using concordance rates, the probability that a person will have a disorder if a relative does.

Question 28

Using concordance results to study the genetic influence of behaviour.

What would high concordance results among genetically closer relatives suggest ?

Answer 28

Higher concordance rates among genetically closer relatives suggest a genetic influence.

Question 29

Supporting evaluation for concordance results suggesting genetic influence of behaviour

Answer 29

The general population has a 2% prevalence rate for OCD,

and first-degree relatives of people with OCD have a 10% concordance rate;

non-identical (dizygotic) twins have a 31% rate, and identical (monorygotic) twins have a 68% rate.

These higher rates in close family members suggest that genes do have an influence on behaviour.

Question 30

Do genotypes and phenotypes match?

Answer 30

Genotype and phenotypes may not match;

for example, someone could have the genotype to be tall but be short as they didn’t receive adequate nutrition in childhood, or have a genotype that predisposes them for OCD but OCD is not expressed as the disorder was not triggered by life events.

Question 31

What is the diathesis-stress response ?

Answer 31

The diathesis-stress response explanation for mental health conditions argues inheriting a genetic vulnerability (genotype) is a diathesis, and the stressor that triggers the disorder includes childhood neglect, a traumatic event or adult drug use. So, without stressors, the individual can experience normal mental health.

Question 32

Evolution and behaviour
Darwin’s theory

Answer 32

Darwin’s theory of natural selection argues organisms with traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more likely to pass these advantageous characteristics to their offspring.

Over time, these adaptive traits become more common in the population.

Question 33

Evolution

Answer 33

is often used to explain physical traits like muscle size, speed, and wing strength.

Evolutionary psychologists extend this to behaviour, arguing that inherited, innate behaviours providing survival advantages are selected for and become more common in future generations of a species.

Question 34

Evolutionary psychologists suggest

Answer 34

that in early hunter-gatherer societies, male aggression was beneficial for protecting families, hunting, and competing for mates. Less aggressive males were less likely to reproduce, leading to aggressive traits being passed on.

Although high aggression is less advantageous in society today, the reason for modern males displaying higher aggression than females may be due to inheriting ancestral traits.

Question 35

Evaluation
Supporting study’s which are objective and replicable

Answer 35

Biological theories that argue biological structures, neurochemistry and genes influence behaviour are backed up by a range of research studies,

for example replicable and objective fMRI brain activation studies show Broca’s area is active when neurotypical brains produce language. Drug trials like Soomro’s meta-analysis demonstrate drugs like SSRIs significantly reduced OCD symptoms by influencing the activity of neurotransmitters, and concordance rate research on twins with OCD suggests that genes do have an influence on behaviour.

Question 36

Evaluation
Practical applications

Answer 36

A benefit of the biological approach is its practical applications, particularly in developing drug therapies for mental health conditions like schizophrenia, OCD, and depression. These therapies, such as SSRIs that reduce serotonin reuptake, target specific neurochemical processes. Millions of people have benefited from these medications, achieving better functioning, leading more fulfilling lives, and contributing to the economy by returning to work.

Question 37

Evaluation
Scientific

Answer 37

The biological approach is seen as scientific due to advanced tools like fMRI scanners, genetic analysis, and direct measurements of hormones and neurotransmitters. These methods offer direct observation and highly controlled studies, providing more objective data than self-reports or inferences common in other approaches.

Question 38

Evaluation
- significantly deterministic

Answer 38

Biological determinism, the belief that all actions are predetermined by biological factors, has significant implications.
Arguing criminal behaviour is due to a “criminal gene” could challenge legal principles of responsibility, as individuals cannot choose their genes.

Suggesting mental health issues are solely to biology could imply that individuals have no control over their conditions, potentially making them reliant on medications like antidepressants. A cognitive soft determinist perspective that individuals can influence their own mental states and actions is more empowering.