Approaches- The Biological Approach Flashcards
What is the main assumption of the biological approach?
The biological approach assumes that everything psychological is first biological, so understanding human behavior requires studying biological structures and processes like genes, neurochemistry, and the nervous system.
How does the biological approach view the mind and brain?
The biological approach sees the mind as residing in the brain, meaning all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have a physical basis, contrasting with approaches like the cognitive perspective that separate mental processes from the physical brain.
What do behavior geneticists study?
Behavior geneticists study whether behavioral characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, and mental disorders, are inherited similarly to physical traits like height and eye color.
How are twin studies used in the biological approach?
Twin studies compare concordance rates (the extent to which twins share traits) between identical (monozygotic) and non-identical (dizygotic) twins to determine the genetic basis of traits. Higher concordance in identical twins suggests a genetic influence.
What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?
Genotype refers to an individual’s genetic makeup, while phenotype refers to how genes are expressed through physical, behavioral, and psychological characteristics, influenced by environmental factors.
How does the biological approach explain the interaction of nature and nurture?
The biological approach acknowledges that behavior results from an interaction between inherited factors (nature) and environmental influences (nurture), as seen in the differing phenotypes of identical twins.
What is the theory of natural selection?
Proposed by Charles Darwin, natural selection explains that genetically determined behaviors enhancing survival and reproduction are passed on to future generations, similar to selective breeding in animals.
How does natural selection apply to behavior?
Behaviors like memory, attachment, and even some mental disorders (e.g., OCD) may have evolved because they provided adaptive advantages, increasing survival and reproductive success.
What are the scientific methods used in the biological approach?
The biological approach uses precise methods like brain scanning techniques (fMRI, EEG), twin and family studies, and drug trials to investigate genetic and biological bases of behaviour.
What is a strength of the biological approach in terms of real-world application?
The biological approach has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat mental disorders like depression, allowing many individuals to manage their conditions and live normal lives.
What is a limitation of the biological approach regarding causal conclusions?
The biological approach often assumes causation from associations, such as assuming a neurotransmitter imbalance causes a disorder because a drug targeting it reduces symptoms, which may not always be accurate.
How does the biological approach view determinism?
The biological approach is deterministic, seeing behavior as governed by internal biological causes beyond individual control, which has implications for legal and moral responsibility.
What is a criticism of the biological approach regarding nature vs. nurture?
The biological approach struggles to separate genetic (nature) and environmental (nurture) influences, as similarities in behavior among family members could result from shared environments rather than genetics.
Why might DZ twins show higher concordance rates than ordinary siblings?
Higher concordance rates in DZ twins compared to ordinary siblings, despite similar genetic similarity, may be due to shared environmental influences, highlighting the role of nurture.
What are examples of behaviors explained by evolution?
Examples include memory (advantageous for survival), attachment (adaptive for caregiver bonding), and certain mental disorders (potentially linked to genetic advantages).
How does the biological approach explain the giraffe’s long neck?
The giraffe’s long neck is an example of physical adaptation through natural selection, providing access to food unavailable to shorter-necked animals.
What are the implications of discovering a “criminal gene”?
If a “criminal gene” were discovered, it could complicate legal principles of responsibility, raising questions about moral and legal accountability for behavior influenced by genetics.
