Approches -> Biological Approach

Question 1

Basic assumptions of the biological approach

Answer 1

• All thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a biological basis:
• Genes, neurochemistry, brain structure, the nervous system, the endocrine system are all responsible for human behaviour
• Our behaviour is adaptive and has an evolutionary purpose

Key ideas: Genetics, neurochemistry, & evolution
Research: Lab-based experiments with humans & animals. Brain scans, twin studies, family studies, adoption studies, drug therapy

Question 2

What is neurochemistry [biological approach]

Answer 2

Chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning

Question 3

Genetic basis explanation

Answer 3

The biological approach uses humans/animals to understand whether disorders/illnesses/personality have a genetic or environmental influence (nature-nurture)

1. Twin studies
2. Adoption studies
3. Family studies

Question 4

Biological researchers look for concordance in their studies
What is concordance?

Answer 4

Concordance: The extent in which a trait matches/is shared with another person
—
High concordance %: Higher chance the trait is genetic
Lower concordance %: Higher chance the trait is environmental

Question 5

What’s the difference between MZ (Identical Monozygotic) twins and DZ (Non Identical/Fraternal Dizygotic) twins

Answer 5

MZ twins: Both twins are born from the same egg. They share 100% of their genes (identical twins)
DZ twins: Twins came from two separate eggs. They share 50% of their genes (non-identical twins)

Question 6

Twin Studies with Gottesman and Shields (1966)

Answer 6

Gottesman and Shields tested for schizophrenia in 24 MZ twins and 33 DZ twins
- the concordance rate for severe schizophrenia was 75% for MZ twins and 24% for DZ twins

Suggests that MZ traits who share similar genetics are more likely to share similar illnesses or disorders

Question 7

Adoption Studies focus

Answer 7

• twins studies received a lot of criticism for their shared environments
• adoption studies aim to look at twins/families that have been separated. They still have the same genes, but their environments are different

Question 8

Charles Darwin: Natural Selection ‘survival of the fittest’

Answer 8

• There are genetic differences with species which causes variation
• Members of the same species are in competition with eachother for resources e.g food, territory, mates
• Individuals that pose genes that are advantageous will pass their genes on to the next generation
• Thus ‘only the fittest survive’
• Genes that are responsible for advantageous

Question 9

Biological Structure definition

Answer 9

An organisation of parts to form an organ, system or living thing

Question 10

Evolution definition

Answer 10

The changes of inherited characteristics (such as behaviour, genetics etc) in a biological population over successive generations