Biological Approach Flashcards
What are the key concepts ?
- Influence of biology on behaviour
- genes
- neuroanatomy
What are genes ?
Inherited traits and characteristics from parents due to DNA
What does neuroanatomy refer to ?
Structure of the brain and that different parts have different functions
What does neuro chemistry refer to ?
The role of neurotransmitters within the brain and nervous system on behaviour
What is evolution?
The process of adaption, genetic changes which occur within a species to promote survival
What is a phenotype ?
Observable characteristics of an individual as a result of interactions between genes & environment
What is monozygotic ?
Indentical twins
Where is the SRY gene located ?
Y chromosome
What does the SRY gene determine ?
Sex of a baby
What does localisation of function refer to ?
That different regions of the brain are responsible for different behaviours/processes
What does damage of motor cortex cause ?
Loss of control over fine motor movements
What does damage of auditory cortex cause ?
Loss of hearing
What does damage to the somato sensory cortex cause ?
Loss of sense in skin
What does damage to visual cortex result in ?
Loss of vision
Which brain has a greater volume ?
Male or female
Makes
What study is linked to localisation of function ?
Harlow (phineas gage)
What region did Gage damage ?
Left frontal lobe
Strength of Harlow study
Methods of research was very advanced for the time
Weakness of Harlow study
Reliability as not enough evidence to have firm conclusions
What does neurotransmitter do ?
Allows communications between nerve cells in the brain and the nervous system
Examples of neurotransmitters
- serotonin
- dopamine
- GABA
- noradrenaline
What disorder is linked to low levels of serotonin ?
Depression
Female sex hormone
Oestrogen
Make sex hormone
Testosterone
What is higher levels of testosterone linked to ?
Aggression
What study is linked to sex hormones ?
Deady
What was the aim of deady study ?
To investigate whether there is a link between testosterone levels and maternal personality traits
Strength of deady study
Reliability as the result have been replicated upon many women
Weakness of deady study
Findings are based upon correlational data
Who proposed the theory of evolution
Charles Darwin
What does the EEA refer to ?
Environment of evolutionary adaptiveness
What is genome lag ?
Refers to how the world is changed more quickly than human adaptation
What key study is linked to evolution?
Buss et al
Strength of buss study ?
High reliability due to use of many different research methods
Weakness of buss study
Lacks generalisability as the sample of participants was on representative
