Biological Approach

Question 1

What is the Biological Approach?

Answer 1

• Suggests everything psychological is at first biological
• Biological perspective - mind lives in brain
  = Thoughts, feelings & behaviour have physical basis

Question 2

State the name for twins sharing 100% of each other’s genes.

Answer 2

Monozygotic - 100% shared

Question 3

What is it called when twins share 50% of each other’s genes.

Answer 3

Dizygotic - 50% shared

Question 4

Name a study in this approach and what it is.

Answer 4

• Twin studies:

> Used to determine likelihood of traits having a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates.

Question 5

What is the meaning of concordance rates?

Answer 5

The percentage of pairs of twins or other blood relatives who exhibit a particular trait or disorder.

Question 6

State the definition of a genotype.

Answer 6

A persons actual genetic makeup

Question 7

State the definition of a phenotype.

Answer 7

The way genes are expressed through physical, behavioural, psychological characteristics.

Question 8

Is the expression of a genotype influenced by environmental factors?

Answer 8

Yes.

Question 9

Give an example of how a genotype is influenced by environmental factors.

Answer 9

• Twins look different because:
  > One has exercised more
  > One has dyed hair

Question 10

What relevance does evolution & behaviour have with this study.

Answer 10

• The theory of natural selection
• Main principle - any genetically determined behaviour = continue in future generations

e.g farmer selects specific cows for breeding

Question 11

Name the 1st strength of Biological Approach.

Answer 11

• Scientific methods of investigation:
  > Advanced tech used: fMRI’s, EEGs
  > Tech is often accurate & reliable
  > Approach based on reliable data

Question 12

Name the 2nd strength of Biological Approach.

Answer 12

• Has real life application:
  > Development of psychoactive drugs (e.g for depression)
  > Sufferers able to manage condition = live normal life

Question 13

Name the 1st limitation of Biological Approach.

Answer 13

• Has casual conclusions:
  > Neurochemicals in drugs cause disorder
  > e.g Suggests cause of headache is due to lack of paracetamol intake

Limitation because approach claims to have discovered causes where only association exists

Question 14

Name the 2nd limitation of Biological Approach.

Answer 14

• Determinists view of behaviour:
  > Human behaviour governed by internal, biological causes - we have no control over
  > Discovery of “criminal gene”, if there was one = complicates this principle