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