Biological Approach

Question 1

Why is real world application a strength of the biological approach

Answer 1

It has real world applications because people with depression are better able to manage their condition

Question 2

Neuro-chemical

Answer 2

A drug that affects the nervous system

Question 3

How can increased understanding of neuro-chemical processes be used?

Answer 3

Psychoactive drugs can be use to treat serious mental disorders

Question 4

What is an example of real-world application in the biological approach?

Answer 4

The treatment of clinical depression using antidepressant drugs

Question 5

Antidepressants

Answer 5

Drugs that increase levels of neurotransmitter serotonin at the synapses

Question 6

What effect do antidepressants have?

Answer 6

They reduce depressive symptoms, allowing patients to manage their condition and live normal lives

Question 7

Biological structures

Answer 7

Structures and processes such as genes, neurochemistry and the nervous system

Question 8

Why do we need to look at biological structures?

Answer 8

To understand behaviour

Question 9

Mind and the brain

Answer 9

They are the same so that all thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a physical basis

Question 10

Evolution

Answer 10

Human and animal behaviour has evolved over generations to adapt to the environment

Question 11

How does evolution work?

Answer 11

The adapted genes are naturally selected and continue to further generations

Question 12

Twin studies

Answer 12

Biological studies comparing the behaviour concordance between identical and non-identical twins

Question 13

Environmental influence

Answer 13

Our genetic make-up is inherited

Question 14

Biological approach

Answer 14

Physical processes in the body, e.g genes, that determine how we act

Question 15

Genes

Answer 15

DNA which codes the physical and psychological features of an organism

Question 16

Biological structure

Answer 16

An arrangement or organisation to form an organ, system or living thing

Question 17

Neurochemistry

Answer 17

Chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning

Question 18

Genotype

Answer 18

The particular set of genes someone has

Question 19

Phenotype

Answer 19

The characteristics determined by genes someone has

Question 20

Evolution

Answer 20

Changes inherited characteristics in a population over generations

Question 21

Many of our thoughts and behaviour are caused by…

Answer 21

Neurotransmitters

Question 22

What is the possible cause for mental illnesses?

Answer 22

Imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain

Question 23

Which characteristics can be inherited?

Answer 23

Phsyological, e.g. intelligence, and physical, e.g. eye colour

Question 24

Identical twins genotypes and phenotypes

Answer 24

Identical twins have the same genotype, but different phenotypes

Question 25

The theory of natural selection

Answer 25

Genetically determines behaviours that increase someone’s chance of survival and reproduction will continue to future generations

Question 26

Examples of evolution in humans

Answer 26

Better memory
Adaptive attachment
Mental disorders

Question 27

Strengths of the biological approach

Answer 27

It has real world applications

It uses empirical methods in its investigations

Question 28

Weaknesses of the biological approach

Answer 28

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