Biological Approach Flashcards
What is the Biological Approach?
Behaviour rooted in the biology and physiology of the body
What is physiology?
Study of the body of & it’s parts of & how they function
Name the 3 main assumptions in the Biological Approach
Genetics: genes (& evolution) influence our behaviour
Biological structure: CNS is (brain+spinal chord)
Biochemistry: neurotransmitters & hormones - related to behaviour
GENETICS: influence of genes on our behaviour
GENETICS: influence of genes on our behaviour
Explain genotype
Genetic make up of an individual - genetic code of a person’s DNA
Explain phenotype
Product of genotype interacting with the environment
Explain heredity
Passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through genes
When it comes to twins, explain the concordance rate
Likelihood behaviour of MZ twins (identical) and DZ twins (not identically)
If one twin has depression and theres a high concordance rate between twins, what does that mean?
Higher chance of the other twin also having depression
Name problems with using twin studies
- look the same = treated the same?
- twins may be unlike twin populations
- shared environment = similarities influenced by genes of the environment
- rewarded for acting same way by parents
GENETICS: evolution & behaviour
GENETICS: evolution & behaviour
Some people have a mu….
mutation in genetic make up - which results in particular characteristics
This mutation can either…
Reduce chance of survival - gene is unlikely to be passed on
or…
Increase ‘fitness’ - gene will be passed on when reproduction occurs
Therefore mutation is…
adaptive
What is the warrior gene?
Lower levels of serotonin in men so stimuli triggers person more
What are the problems with evolution?
- Genetic determinism - genes are the only thing involved
- Doesn’t explain why some cultural things are passed on that are not adaptive e.g abortion, homosexuality
- Unfalsifiable - cannot be shown to be wrong - already happened
- Reductionist - simplist explanation - only genetics
BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURE: what is it?
BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURE: what is it?
Nervous system is made up of two parts which is?
Central and Peripheral nervous system
CNS?
Brain & spinal chord
PNS
Somantic & automatic nervous system
What is the nervous system’s job?
Carries messages from one part of the body to the other
How does the nervous system do this?
By neurons
Neurons transmit nerve impulses in the form of….
Electrical signals
BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURE: brain diagram
BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURE: brain diagram
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What is the frontal lobe?
Involved with functions such as speech, thought and & learning
What is the temperal lobe?
Involved with hearing and memory
Parietal lobe
Process sensory information such as touch, temperature & brain
Occipital lobe
Process visual information
Cerebellum
Controls balance, posture and & the motor movements
What is the brain stem?
Connects to the spinal chord - involved with survival functions e.g breathing, heartbeat
What happened with Phineas Gage?
- 1848: damaged frontal lobe after explosion at work
- Iron bar went straight through his head
- Subsequent behaviour changed - less organised, more impulsive, increased aggression, having seizures
BIOCHEMISTRY: neuron
BIOCHEMISTRY: neuron
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Dendrite…
Receives signal from other neurons
Cell body…
Life and force of the cell - holds important info
Myeh Sheath…
Protects axon and speeds up signals
Axon terminal…
Sends signals from other neurons
BIOCHEMISTRY: neurotransmitters
BIOCHEMISTRY: neurotransmitters
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Describe the first step of neurotransmitters
Signal travels down axon of presynaptic neuron & triggers the axon of neurotransmitters
Next…
Neurotransmitter binds to the receptors to pass on a signal
Lastly….
The neurotransmitter goes back into the synoptic & is taken back up by the presynaptic neuron
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BIOCHEMISTRY: Hormones
BIOCHEMISTRY: Hormones
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What does the pituitary gland do?
- puberty: LH & FSH hormone
- oxytocin (love hormone)
- ACTH hormone: prepares you for fight or flight
Pineal gland
Monitoring circadian rhythm e.g sleep cycle - by melatonin
Thyroid gland
- Thyroxine hormone
- Triiodothyronine - metabolism, brain development, bone maintenance
Thymus
- makes white blood cells
- thymulin - fights diseases & boosts immune system
Adrenal gland
- Adrenaline - fight or flight
- Cortorsol - long term stress
Pancreas
- insulin - breakdown of sugars in the body
Ovaries and (women)
Produce oestrogen & progesterone - menstration, reproduction & puberty
Testosterone (men)
- produces male characteristics - puberty and reproduction
