Biological Approach Flashcards
What are the 3 assumptions of the biological approach?
Behaviour can be explained by:
- Genetics
- Biological structures (e.g. the brain)
- Neurochemistry (hormones and neurotransmitters)
What is a genotype?
The genetic makeup of an individual (received from biological parents)
What is a phenotype?
How genetics are expressed when mixed with the environment.
e.g. genotype = tall, phenotype = medium height due to malnutrition - genotype + environment
What are the words to describe identical and non-identicial twins?
Monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (non-identical)
What are concordance rates?
The rate of probability that two people with shared genetics will develop the same organic disease.
(It examines the % of a group of pairs of twins that share a given trait)
What is evolution?
The change in the heritable traits within a population across generations.
When a mutation increases chances of survival/reproduction it is known as ___a___.
If it isn’t __a___ it is not passed on as the animal doesn’t survive/mate. This is called __b___ ___c___.
a) Adaptive
b) Natural c) Selection
What is localisation?
The idea that certain specific areas of the brain control certain behaviours.
The brain is split into two _________. Give some examples of the function of each.
The brain operates _________. This means that the left brain sends and receives from the right side of the body and vice versa.
Hemispheres
Left: Logic, numbers, reasoning, analysis
Right: Creativity, intuition, artistic, musical, spatial
Contralaterally
Name the 6 main parts of the brain and their functions
- Parietal Lobe - pain
- Occipital Lobe - vision
- Frontal Lobe - emotions, personality, decision making, impulse control
- Temporal Lobe - Memory, cognition and auditory
- Cerebellum - balance, motor skills
- Brain Stem - Involuntary actions
Given an example of evidence for localisation
Phineas Gage - a rod penetrated his skull completely (frontal lobe) in an accident. He survived and continued to live as normal, however his personality changed dramatically.
Hormones are part of the _____ system. Hormones are ______ _________, released from _____, which travel in the _____ and have effects on _____ organs in the body. The master gland which controls the others is known as the _______ gland. The _____ of hormones can influence behaviour.
endocrine chemical messengers glands blood target pituitary levels
What are the key hormones? Where are they produced and how do they affect behaviour?
Testosterone - testes/ovaries - aggression
Oestrogen - testes/ovaries - mood regulation
Adrenaline - adrenal gland - fight or flight
Neurotransmitters are part of the ______ system (made up of the CNS and P______ Nervous System). When an electrical signal reaches the end of a _____, a neurotransmitter is released in the ______ and bind onto _______ on the next neuron which causes an _______ reaction.
Different _____ of neurotransmitters can affect behaviour. Give an example.
Nervous Peripheral neuron synapse receptors electrical levels
e.g. increased levels are dopamine are linked with schizophrenia
What are excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters? Give an example of each.
Excitatory = increases the rate of firing (e.g. Dopamine) Inhibitory = decreases the rate of firing (e.g. serotonin)
