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A Level Psychology: 3. Approaches > APPROACHES: The Biological Approach > Flashcards

APPROACHES: The Biological Approach Flashcards

1
Q

What is the biological approach

A
  • The biological approach combines psychology & biology to provide physiological explanations for human behaviour.
  • Biological psychology tries to explain how we think, feel & behave in terms of physical factors within the body
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2
Q

What is physiology

A

The study of the body & its parts and how they function

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3
Q

5 points

Basic assumptions of the biological approach

A
  • Everything psychological is at first biological
  • The approach investigates how biological structures & processes within the body impacts on behaviour
  • Much of human behaviour has a physiological cause which may be genetically or environmentally altered
  • Psychologists should study the brain, nervous system & other biological systems, eg. hormones, neurochemicals.
  • The mind lives in the brain (in contrast to the cognitive approach sees mental processes of the mind as being separate from the physical brain
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4
Q

What are neurochemicals

A

Relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological/physiological functioning

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5
Q

What is the Genetic basis of behaviour

A

Psychologists are interested in trying to determine & provide evidence for the extent to which behaviours, or a characteristic sa intelligence, are the product of inheritance (genes), or environmental influences

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6
Q

4 methods

Methods of investigating the Genetic basis of behaviour

A

There are diff methods for investigating the extent to which psychological characteristics are affected by inheritance from parents & evolution genetic basis of behaviour:
- Twin studies
- Family studies
- Adoption studies
- Selective breeding

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7
Q

Twin studies

A

Psychologists are interested in studying twins in order to investigate the Genetic basis of behaviour

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8
Q

Twin studies: What is a zygote

A

A fertilised egg

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9
Q

Twin studies: What are the 2 types of zygotes

A
  • Monozygotic (MZ)
  • Dizygotic (DZ)
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10
Q

Twin studies: What are monozygotic twins

A

ONE zygote - these twins are formed when a fertilised cell splits into two & forms two separate embryos

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11
Q

Twin studies: What are dizygotic twins

A

TWO zygotes - these twins are formed when two separate eggs both become fertilised by different sperm cells

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12
Q

see showbie for dia of MZ and DZ twins

A
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13
Q

What is concordance rates

A

This refers to the extent to which a pair of twins share similar traits or characteristics.
eg. there should be 100% concordance rates between MZ twins if a particular characteristic is a genetic one. DZ twins will show lower concordance.

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14
Q

quote + 2 points

Family studies

A

Francis Galton, 1869 claimed, “…all natural abilities are inherited”

  • This was a simplistic viewpoint - Galton later agreed that any resemblance between family relatives could be a result of both genes & shared env
  • However, w alcoholism for eg, there is a suggestion of a biological predisposition to the addiction
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15
Q

Adoption studies

A

These studies involve comparing a trait or characteristic between adopted children & their biological or adoptive parents

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16
Q

3 points

Selective breeding

A
  • This method involves artificially selecting male & female animals for a particular trait.
  • These animals are then put tg in order to breed & produce offspring
  • Selective breeding has been used to demonstrate how a no. of behavioural characteristics may have a genetic basis/ eh. ‘maze bright’ rats
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17
Q

3 points

Evidence & research of Genetic basis of behaviour

A
  • There is evidence from twin, family & adoption studies to suggest that certain behaviours, eg intelligence, are genetically determined
  • Research has shown that the environment can play more of a role in determining behaviour than genetics
  • Selective breeding studies have demonstrate how a no. of behavioural characteristics, eg aggression, can have a genetic basis
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18
Q

What are the basic units of heredity

A

The basic units of heredity are called genes

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19
Q

linekd to genetic variability

How do genes function

A

Genes function in pairs & the recombination of genes from parents to offspring provides the basis for genetic variability

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20
Q

linked to genotype & phenotype

How do genes function

A
  • Genes only determine the potential for characteristics (genotype)
  • The observable characteristics of an individual (phenotype) depend on the interaction of genetic & environmental factors
21
Q

What is a Genotype

A
  • The actual set of genes an individual has, or is made up of, is a genotype.
  • The genetic material is made up of DNA, for sexually reproducing organisms, which are given by the sperm & egg of the parents
22
Q

What is a Phenotype

A
  • An individuals anatomical features or observed traits, sa behavioural & physical characteristics (shape, metabolic activities, size, colour, etc) fall under an individuals phenotype
  • These behavioural characteristics & physical attributes are what determines an individual’s ability to reproduce & survive in the environment
23
Q

Difference between Genotype & Phenotype

A
  • The genotype is the genetic programming that provides the phenotype
  • To a large extent, an individual’s phenotype is determined by its genotype
24
Q

How does the genotype provide the phenotype

A

Genotype + Environment = Phenotype

25
Q

Examples where phenotype is influenced by the environment

A

Hair colour
- An individual’s genes determines whether or not they have hair on their head, but how long this hair remains depends on environmental factors, sa excess sunlight, chemicals used, poor diet
- This shows that phenotype is influenced by the env

26
Q

A gene can be…

A

…recessive or dominant

27
Q

What is a recessive gene

A

A recessive gene only shows if the individual has two copies of the recessive gene.
Eg, the gene for blue eyes is recessive, you need 2 copies of the gene to have blue eyes

28
Q

What is a dominant gene

A

A dominating gene always shows, even if the individual only has one copy of the gene.
Eg, the gene for brown eyes is dominant, you only need one copy of the gene to have brown eyes (2 copies will still give you brown eyes)

29
Q

What are alleles

A

Genes have different forms called alleles

30
Q

What are Heterozygous genes

A

The genotype consists of two different genes
for eg, Bb

31
Q

What are Homozygous genes

A

The genotype consists of two genes that are the same
for eg, BB

32
Q

A good eg of the interaction between genotype & environment

A

Identical twins
- They have the same genetic makeup & they look alike, but they posses different phenotypes
- Identical twins have differences that allow those who are close to them to tell them apart. Also, their fingerprints are different
- Twins are genetically the same - any differences you may see between them (eg in personality, tastes &. particular aptitudes) are due to differences in their experience or environment

33
Q

What is evolution

A

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

34
Q

Who founded the evolutionary theory

A

Charles Darwin

35
Q

2 main concepts Charles Darwin emphasised in the evolutionary theory

A
  • Natural selection
  • Sexual selection
36
Q

Evolutionary theory: Natural selection

A

Animals with particular traits that provide them w an advantage are more likely to survive & reproduce thereby passing on their ‘adaptive traits’ to their offspring

37
Q

3 principles of Natural selection

A

The advantageous behaviours need to adapt to the env that the animal is living in which is dependent on 3 principles:
the principle of diversity: the variety within a species
the principle of interaction: which is how this variety of species adapt & fit in w the env. eg. animals that breathe air wouldn’t be able to permanently live underwater
the principle of differential amplification: those who adapt to their env will reproduce & those that do not will die out

38
Q

What is Sexual selection

A
  • Males have an abundance of sperm & can reproduce w as many females as they want
  • Females however, are limited by the amount of eggs produced & the fact that they have to carry the baby for 9months & then raise them until the age of 18
  • Females therefore will be more particular about who fathers their children due to the investment they have to make
39
Q

Research methods of the biological approach

A
  • The biological approach draws on concepts from the hard sciences & research tends to be highly scientific in nature
  • The most common methods include laboratory experiments & observations
  • Objective brain recording & scanning techniques are also used
40
Q

The 5 different types of Brain scans

A
  • PET scans
  • CAT scans
  • MRI
  • fMRI
  • SQUID magnetometry
41
Q

What is a PET scan

A

Positron emission tomography - shows which patterns of the brain are active during a task

42
Q

What is a CAT scan

A

Detects damaged parts of the brain, tumours & blood clots

43
Q

What is an MRI

A

Detects small tumours & provide detailed info about structure

44
Q

What is an fMRI

A

Structural & functional info

45
Q

What is SQUID magnetometry

A

Produces accurate images of brain activity by measuring the magnetic fields generated when neurones are activated

46
Q

5 points

STRENGTHS of the biological approach

A
  • It is a scientific approach. Highly scientific methods eg fMRIs, EEGs & twins studies lead to reliable data
  • Scientific approach lends credence to study of psychology - establishes psychology as a respectable science
  • Impact of biology on behaviour can lead to treatment & intervention to those suffering eg. anti-depressants
  • Understanding how an abnormal brain works can shed light on normal brain functioning
  • Measurements can be objective as it can be performed by machines which have no vested interest in the outcome. Use of complex machinery allows accurate & precise measurement
47
Q

3 different approaches

LIMITATIONS of the biological approach

A
  • It is a deterministic approach as it believes that we are determined by our physiological, genetic or evolutionary make-up. Thus stating that there is no free will
  • This approach is reductionist by stating that all human behaviour can be explained through biological processes & we are therefor not unique as individuals. It is also dehumanising to present humans as ‘biological machines’
  • Biological approach ignores the role of the environment. It should be used in combination which is known as the biopsychosocial approach
48
Q

6 points

LIMITATIONS of the biological approach

A
  • Research may focus on rare conditions that have little impact on the everyday lives of most ppl
  • Complex machinery operated by humans & therefore measurements could be subject to human error
  • Correlations frequently employed - cannot determine cause & effect
  • Small or restricted samples make findings difficult to generalise
  • Laboratory experiments lack ecological validity
  • Cannot separate nature from nurture
49
Q
A

A Level Psychology: 3. Approaches (7 decks)

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