Assumptions + Key Question

Question 1

4 assumptions of biological approach

Answer 1

• we evolved to best adapt to our environment
• influence of brain
• influence of our nervous system
• genetic factors

Question 2

Examples of 3 assumptions

Answer 2

• brain - hippocampus responsible for memory formation and also spatial navigations
• nervous system - high testosterone leads to gap higher risk of being aggressive
• genes - schizophrenia can be due to inheritance of faulty genes from parents that causes patients to be more vulnerable to symptoms

Question 3

AO1 of nature side (3)

Answer 3

• behaviour is determined by our biology
• characteristics can be inherited and pass down to offspring from parents
• it is predisposed and born with it

Question 4

AO1 of nurture side (2)

Answer 4

• behaviour is determined by our environment
• characteristics determined by our upbringing, our interactions with others and society

Question 5

Definition of Epigenetic

Answer 5

• how your behaviour and environment can cause changes that affect how your genes work
• it doesn’t change sequence of DNA but changes how your body reads the DNA / genes can switch on or off
  E.g. alcohol addiction

Question 6

Purpose of using family studies to study nature/nurture

Answer 6

• to see if there are any characteristics that appear regularly and so are inherited

Question 7

How to measure inheritance of characteristics

Answer 7

• concordance rate = degree of similarity
• expressed as correlation from 0-1
  Strong =0.8
  Moderate = 0.6
  Weak = 0.2

Question 8

Name key question

Answer 8

• what are the implication to society if aggression is due to nature not nurture ?

Question 9

Describe key question (4)

Answer 9

• if aggression is due to nurture = we are in control of our behaviour so can be blamed for being aggressive
• if aggression is due to nature = genetics and biological factors that influence our body functioning = have no control so cannot be blamed
• Depression cause and treatment
• Aggression in opposite receive unfair treatment

Question 10

Explain key question (4)

Answer 10

• Activity of brain = supported by Raine’s study = explain Charles Whitman’s case
• hormonal changes = supported by D’Andrade study = explain Louis Suarez case
• explain why banning Suarez on matches did not work
• what to do to reduce aggression = offer similar treatment as depression such as medication and therapy and avoid punishment as a form of learning mechanisms