Approaches: The biological approach

Question 1

what is the biological approach?

Answer 1

attempts to explain behaviour in terms of different biological processes, including genes, hormones, neurotransmitters, etc.

Question 2

what are the assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 2

• suggests that everything psychological is at first biological, so to fully understand human behaviour, we must look at biological structures and processes within the body.
• contrasts cognitive approach

Question 3

what is genotype?

Answer 3

• the particular set of genes that a person possesses.

Question 4

what is phenotype?

Answer 4

• a persons characteristics expressed through their genetics and environment.

Question 5

what are concordance rates?

Answer 5

The percentage to which twins share the same characteristic.

Question 6

What does monozygotic mean?

Answer 6

• identical twins that share 100% of their genetics.
  (environment is assumed to be constant)

Question 7

What does dizygotic mean?

Answer 7

• non identical twins that share 50% of their genetics.
  (environment is assumed to be constant)

Question 8

Explain the ‘Twin study’ research.

Answer 8

-In a study of depression, a researcher investigated the genetic basis of the disorder.
- Compared concordance rates for identical twins(monozygotic) who have exactly the same genes with non identical twins(dizygotic) who share 50% of their genes.
-Both twins grew up in similar environments

Following mean concordance
rates found by researcher:
Monozygotic twins = 49%
Dizygotic twins = 17%
Ordinary siblings = 9%

(The 49% figure means that if one identical twin has depression, there is a 49% chance that the other identical twin will also have depression. This indicates a strong genetic link, as identical twins share all their genes.)
research showed there is a strong genetic link for behaviour in indetical twins but not 100%

Question 9

What is Evolution?

Answer 9

The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations

Question 10

What is natural selection?

Answer 10

• theory proposed by Charles Darwin
• suggests that individuals with the most favourable characteristics are most likely to survive, reproduce and pass of these traits.

Question 11

apply the natural selection theory to a real life example.

Answer 11

Memory - Memory evolved to help humans survive by remembering important information.
(e.g., where food or danger is, who to trust).

Attachment - Bowlby’s Attachment Theory suggests that attachment behaviors in infants, like crying and clinging, are biologically programmed to increase survival by ensuring closeness to a caregiver.

Mental disorder - some disorders like anxiety, while often disruptive, those who are more anxious may avoid dangerous situations, enhancing chance of survival

Question 12

Evaluate the Biological approach

Answer 12

P: One strength of the biological approach is its real-world application.
E: By understanding neurochemical processes, the biological approach has led to treatments for mental health disorders, such as the development of antidepressants that increase levels of serotonin at synapses in the brain, which can help alleviate symptoms of clinical depression.
E: This application is beneficial because it enables individuals to better manage their mental health conditions, allowing them to live more fulfilling lives. However, a counterpoint is that antidepressants may not work effectively for everyone. For instance, a study by Cipriani et al. (2018) analyzed 21 antidepressant drugs and found significant variations in effectiveness, with some drugs being only modestly effective.
L: This challenges the biological approach’s effectiveness as it suggests that biological treatments alone may not account for all cases of mental health disorders, such as depression.

P: A major strength of the biological approach is its reliance on scientific methods.
E: It utilizes advanced techniques like fMRI and EEG scans to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behavior. Additionally, the biological approach’s research into neurotransmitters has led to the development of drug treatments, such as antidepressants, which can effectively manage mental health conditions by targeting specific brain processes.
E: This emphasis on scientific methods and objective measures, including the development of treatments, strengthens the reliability of the biological approach and reinforces psychology’s standing as a science.
L: Therefore, the biological approach is highly respected for its scientific rigor, contributing objective and measurable insights into behaviour.

Biological Determinism (Weakness)
P: A significant limitation of the biological approach is its deterministic view of behavior.
E: It assumes behavior is entirely controlled by biological factors, such as genes and neurochemistry, leaving little room for the influence of free will or environmental factors. This assumption becomes problematic in cases like crime, where attributing behavior purely to biological factors (like a “crime gene”) might excuse criminal actions.
E: This determinism is a weakness because it overlooks the complex interactions between biology and environment, as seen in cases where identical twins display different behaviours despite having the same genetic makeup.
L: Thus, the biological approach may oversimplify human behaviour by ignoring the significant role of environmental influences.