Biological Approach Flashcards
Why is real world application a strength of the biological approach
It has real world applications because people with depression are better able to manage their condition
Neuro-chemical
A drug that affects the nervous system
How can increased understanding of neuro-chemical processes be used?
Psychoactive drugs can be use to treat serious mental disorders
What is an example of real-world application in the biological approach?
The treatment of clinical depression using antidepressant drugs
Antidepressants
Drugs that increase levels of neurotransmitter serotonin at the synapses
What effect do antidepressants have?
They reduce depressive symptoms, allowing patients to manage their condition and live normal lives
Biological structures
Structures and processes such as genes, neurochemistry and the nervous system
Why do we need to look at biological structures?
To understand behaviour
Mind and the brain
They are the same so that all thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a physical basis
Evolution
Human and animal behaviour has evolved over generations to adapt to the environment
How does evolution work?
The adapted genes are naturally selected and continue to further generations
Twin studies
Biological studies comparing the behaviour concordance between identical and non-identical twins
Environmental influence
Our genetic make-up is inherited
Biological approach
Physical processes in the body, e.g genes, that determine how we act
Genes
DNA which codes the physical and psychological features of an organism
Biological structure
An arrangement or organisation to form an organ, system or living thing
Neurochemistry
Chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning
Genotype
The particular set of genes someone has
Phenotype
The characteristics determined by genes someone has
Evolution
Changes inherited characteristics in a population over generations
Many of our thoughts and behaviour are caused by…
Neurotransmitters
What is the possible cause for mental illnesses?
Imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain
Which characteristics can be inherited?
Phsyological, e.g. intelligence, and physical, e.g. eye colour
Identical twins genotypes and phenotypes
Identical twins have the same genotype, but different phenotypes
The theory of natural selection
Genetically determines behaviours that increase someone’s chance of survival and reproduction will continue to future generations
Examples of evolution in humans
Better memory
Adaptive attachment
Mental disorders
Strengths of the biological approach
It has real world applications
It uses empirical methods in its investigations
Weaknesses of the biological approach
Brain chemicals alone may not be the sauce for all thoughts and behaviours
It is determinist - sees behaviour as controlled by genetics, although the environment can change how someone’s genotype is expressed
