Assumptions Flashcards
Medical model
Refers to the treatment of psychological disorders should be based on the same principles used to treat physical diseases.
Psychological problems have a physical cause and can be treated with physical (medical) methods.
Physiological approach
Behaviour is due to the functioning of internal body parts, nervous system, hormones etc.
Nativist approach
All behaviour is inherited and passed on through genes.
Three assumptions of the approach
Evolutionary influences and EEA
Localisation of brain function
Neurotransmitters
Evolutionary influences and EEA
To evolve is to change with time.
The human mind has changed over millions of years so that we can adapt to our individual environments.
Altruism
Parents risking their life to save their offspring.
Natural selection would say that altruism is inherited and an adaptive trait because by saving offspring, it is increasing the survival rate of that individual’s gene pool.
Darwin’s theory of natural selection
Darwin argues that evolution happens through natural selection which has three main assumptions:
Only a small proportion of each generation survives to reproduce.
Offspring are not identical to their parents.
So, each generation has a degree of variation and that, at least some of the variation is heritable.
Some characteristics give the animal an advantage over others in the ability to survive and reproduce. These characteristics are therefore adaptive and are passed on through genes.
EEA definition
Environment of Evolutionary Adaptiveness
EEA
The environment to which any species is adapted and the selective pressures that existed at the time.
Evolutionary psychology argues that to properly understand the functions of the brain, we must understand the environment in which the brain evolved.
Not all behaviours are adaptive. It’s only behaviours that ensure survival in our environment.
Evolutionary influences and EEA example from psychology
The human brain has adapted and grown in size over generations.
As our cultural and linguistic complexity, dietary needs and technological prowess took a leap forward, our brains grew to accommodate the changes.
The shapes changes we see, highlight the regions of the brain related to depth of planning, communication, problem solving and other advanced cognitive functions.
Those who had larger brains to cope with social situations were more likely to survive and reproduce and pass on this adaptive trait to the next generation.
Left hemisphere
Logic, science, sense of time, language
Right hemisphere
Creativity, art, imagination, intuition
Cerebral cortex
Covers the brain.
Is responsible for higher order cognitive functions.
Frontal lobe
Higher cognitive functions: Attention, intelligence, decision making.
Motor cortex:
Responsible for planning and coordinating
movements.
Prefrontal cortex: Responsible for initiating higher-level cognitive functions.
Contains Broca’s area.
Linked to our personalities.
Temporal lobe
Auditory, memory and speech processing: Language, memory acquisition, perception, auditory information processing.
In both hemispheres:
Left:
Usually most dominant. Contains Wernicke’s area. Associated with:
Language, learning, memorising, forming words, remembering verbal information.
Right:
Associated with:
Learning and memorising non-verbal information, determining facial expressions.
