Biological

Question 1

what is their main assumption?

Answer 1

our thinking and behaviour is strongly determined by biological factors:
- structure and functioning of the brain and nervous system
- genetics
- evolutionary factors and natural selection

Question 2

what method do they use?

Answer 2

scientific approach to all research:
- lab experiments and brain scanning techniques
- quantitative data and analysis
- objectivity and reliability are essential

Question 3

what is a genotype?

Answer 3

the set of genes a person possesses

Question 4

what is a phenotype?

Answer 4

how the characteristic is actually expressed for example a person might have a gene for blue eyes (genotype) but might have brown eyes (phenotype) as the gene for blue eye is recessive (weaker than the brown eye gene) so it does not show unless both genes are for blue eyes.

Question 5

how do psychologists determine the involvement of genetic factors?

Answer 5

using twin studies - compare the concordance rate of monozygotic twins (MZ twins) to the concordance rate of dizygotic twins (DZ twins).

Question 6

what is difference between mz and dz twins?

Answer 6

MZ twins have the same genes (one egg split in two) but DZ twins share only 50% of their genes (two eggs fertilised by two sperms).

Question 7

what is concordance rate and how is concordance rate used?

Answer 7

CR - the presence of the same trait in both members of a pair of twins

If the concordance rate is higher in MZ twins than in DZ twins then we can say that the characteristic we are studying is influenced by genetic factors.

Question 8

what do psychologists rarely find?

Answer 8

a concordance rate of 100% in MZ twins for psychological characteristics which means environmental factors are involved in the development of these characteristics

Question 9

what does evolutionary psychology try to understand?

Answer 9

tries to understand human behaviour as the result of psychological adaptation and natural selection.

Question 10

what does psychological adaptation and natural selection involve?

Answer 10

behaviours are genetically determined and passed on from generation to generation because they increase our chances of survival

Question 11

strength 1

Answer 11

P - biological approach adopts scientific methods which are largely objective
E - such as brain scanning and measuring biochemical levels.
E - it is possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways not open to bias therefore supporting the biological approach as it is based on reliable data.

Question 12

strength 2

Answer 12

P - has real-world application
E - increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental illnesses such as depression (anti-depressants increase serotonin production).
E - although these drugs are not effective in all patients, they are revolutionised treatment for many.
L - this is a strength of the biological approach as it means that sufferers are able to manage their condition and live relatively normal life, rather than remain in hospital.

Question 13

weakness 1

Answer 13

P - the biological approach is determinist
E - it sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control.
E - this is a criticism as it says we are purely governed by our genetics and don’t have any control over our behaviour which could have severe implications for the criminal justice system. An example of this is the MAOA (Warrior) gene which is said to increase aggression.