BIOLOGICAL Flashcards
Key belief
All beh is a result of genetics
Assumptions
Everything psychological was once biological , therefore to understand human beh, must look to biological structures and processes within body. Ie: gene, neurochemisyry and the nervous system
Mind and brain are the same , ( in cog mind is separate from brain )
- understanding of the brain structure and functions helps understand our thoughts and beh
- from bio perspective, MIND lives in our BRAIN/ meaning all thoughts feelings and beh have a physical basis
Neurochemical basis of beh
- thoughts and beh rely on chemical transmissions in the brain
- occurs using neurotransmitters
- imbalance of neurchemicals in brain - possible cause of mental disorders
OCD causation
Low levels of neurotransmitter serotonin (happiness)
Schizophrenia causation
Overprotection of neurotransmitter dopamine ( joy )
Explanation for genetic basis of beh
Where beh genescists study whether beh characteristics are inherited as physical characteristics
How are twin studies used to study genetic basis of beh
Compare the concordance rates between the twin pairs - seeing how much they share the same characteristics
Monzygotic
Identical
Dyzygotic
Non- identical
Difference in confidence rates between twin pairs
MZ - higher concordance rates ( share 100% of eachother genes) whilst DZ only 50%
Darwin’s theory
- natural selection
- any beh that benefits a species helps it to survive and reproduce into further generations
- some animals need to have certain desirable characteristics but in nature selection only takes place NATURALLY
- surviving occurs when certain traits are DESIRABLE and therefore can be passed onto offspring
Raines study
- quasi experiment , use of PET scans to study the ACTIVE brain
Findings of RAINES study
- criminal beh is accounted from genesis ( supported by 100+ twin studies)
- nutrition improvement in 3 year olds reduces crime rate
- birth complications and maternal rejection in first year - higher violence rate at 34 years
Genotype
Actual makeup of genes- through environmental factors
Phenotype
Way genes are expressed , through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics
Interactionism
Human beh depends on interaction between inherited factors ( nature) and the environment( nurture)
