Biological Flashcards
Nature/Nurture
Nature as the biological factors that govern behaviour are pre-set at birth. E.g. Sperry showed that language is governed by the left hemisphere, this is innate. Casey showed a link between impulse ontrol and the IFG. Again, the IFG is innately designed to affect impulse control. However, there is a suggestion that the IF can be trained via gratification delay tasks, suggesting NURTURE LINK
Free will/Determinism
Deterministic as the biological area suggests that behaviour is affected by physical factors like the brain, which we have little control, e.g. some people ae innately more able to control their impulses than others due to better IFG function.
Free will as it has been suggested that we can strengthen neural pathways in the IFG with delay of gratification task.
Reductionism and holism
Reductionist as the area tends to explain behaviour from only a biological point of view, ignoring cognitive and social factors. E.g. Sperry looked at the role of the brain in language. Language ability is also affectedby the quality of environments we are exposed to and this is not taken into account by the bio area
Individual/Situation
Individual as the area suggests that the brain and CNS act within the person to influence behaviour. E.g. Sperry showed that a person would not be able to use language if their left hemisphere were somehow cut off from use.
Usefulness
To psychology in the form of improved knowledge
The area suggests that poor behaviour is the result of brain function (or brain dysfunction) E.g. we know that there is a link between impulsive behaviour and the IFG.
Usefulness to society
In order to improve behaviour, we need to find ways to ‘train our brains’ or manipulate brain function with drugs/surgery. Casey suggested that impulse control can be improved with IFG training tasks. This may help to tackle issues like obesity and debt in society.
Ethics
The area tends to be ethical as people need to give consent to have their bodies studied in some way. The tasks involved tend not to cause distress e.g. Sperry’s visual and tactile tasks.
Social Sensitivity
Implications for society: The area suggests that all behaviour has a direct physical cause, such as the brain. E.g. Casey implies that people with addictions or extreme weight issues may be provided with ‘excuses’ for their behaviour in the form of poor IFG function. Such people may fail to actively try to change their behaviour. This then could lead to more costs trying to treat the additional negative outcomes of their behaviour e.g. further health issues
Scientific
As the brain tends to be studied with the use of scientific equipment and objective measures. E.g. Casey used MRI scans to reveal neural brain differences between high and low delayers.
