Bi approach

Question 1

What are 3 approaches of bio?

Answer 1

Can be explained by genes, hormones, evolution and the nervous system
if behaviour is caused by biological factors it can be modified or removed using biological treatments
animal experiments can tell us a lot about human behaviour as we are genetically similar

Question 2

What has evolution helped evolve?

Answer 2

Phobias and aggression as they provide a survival advantage

Question 3

What is a genotype?

Answer 3

The genes some one has

Question 4

What is a phenotype?

Answer 4

Characteristics as a result of genes

Question 5

What is Gottesman study?

Answer 5

Looked at the genetic basis of mental illness studied meta-analysis of 40 twin studies. Having an identical twin with schizo = 48% chance non identical =17%

Question 6

What is Heston study?

Answer 6

Adoption study looked at 47 adoptees whose bio mother had schizo and 50 whose didn’t, used interviews to assess behaviour- 5/47 +borderline schizo and 0/50

Question 7

Phineas Gage?

Answer 7

damage to frontal lobe due to an explosion at work-iron bar through head, caused behaviour of impulsiveness, aggression and less organised- this shows that the frontal lobe is responsible for these behaviours. It is only one case.

Question 8

PET scan?

Answer 8

Shows which parts of brain are active during a task- links areas of brain to functions. Show average activity period over 60 seconds

Question 9

CAT scan?

Answer 9

Shows damaged parts of the brain e.g. tumour and blood clots- structure not function

Question 10

MRI?

Answer 10

Provides detailed information about structure e.g. shows small tumours

Question 11

Functional MRI?

Answer 11

Shows structure and functional information

Question 12

Maguire?

Answer 12

16 London taxi drivers were compared with a control group who had never driven taxis- all in good health- all taxi drivers had been working for at least 18 months. The average size of the posterior hippocampus was larger in taxi group- being bigger in those who had been a taxi driver for longer. This is responsible for spatial representation- specific navigational skills of occupation have resulted in physical changes

Question 13

How has brain structure been linked to aggression?

Answer 13

Bard found that lesioning areas of the brain in cats led to changes in levels of aggression- hypothalamus= responsible for aggression

Question 14

Brain structure and memory?

Answer 14

Milner found that HM was unable to use his long term memory suggesting that hippocampus plays important role

Question 15

What is neurochemistry?

Answer 15

All about the nervous system and neuro transmitters

Question 16

Neurotransmitters and behaviour?

Answer 16

Too much or too little of a particular neurotransmitter can produce psychological disorders e.g. increased level of dopamine is linked to schizophrenia
Increased serotonin= better mood as it regulates emotions- released during sport and exercise

Question 17

Strengths of the biological approach?

Answer 17

Can provide evidence to support a theory

Biological treatments can be used to help individuals

Question 18

Weaknesses of the approach?

Answer 18

Doesn’t take into account the influence of people’s environment e.g. their family and childhood experiences
Using biological explanations for negative behaviour can be used as an excuse for people to not take responsibility for their actions