Biological Approach

Question 1

What is the biological approach?

Answer 1

The influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour.

Question 2

What is the basis of this approach?(Biological)

Answer 2

Combining psychology and biology to provide physiological explanations for human behaviour.

Question 3

What are the assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 3

How biological structures and functions of the brain including localisation of function impacts on behaviour

Human behaviour has biological cause which may be genetically or environmentally altered

Genes affect behaviour - genotype and phenotypes

Question 4

What is the genetic basis of behaviour?

Answer 4

We differ from each other due to our genetic instructions - personality, IQ etc
Genetics are thought to influence the risk of mental illness

Question 5

What are the 4 biological methods of investigating the genetic basis of behaviour?

Answer 5

Twin Studies
Family Studies
Adoption Studies
Selective Breeding

Question 6

What should the concordance rate be between monozygotic twins?

Answer 6

100%

Question 7

What is the influence of biological structures on behaviour?

Answer 7

The CNS

• neurotransmitters(NT) enable the nervous system(NS) to function
• abnormal levels of NT can lead to symptoms of mental illness

Question 8

What do the inhibitory and excitatory nerve impulses do?

Answer 8

The excitatory NT’s trigger nerve impulses and stimulate the brain into action

The inhibitory NT’s inhibit nerve impulses and calm the brain plus balance mood

Question 9

Why are hormones relevant to the body’s effect on behaviour?

Answer 9

Hormones are chemical substances that help to regulate processes in the body and secrete from glands which target organs through the bloodstream.

Question 10

What is the role of the frontal lobe of the brain?

Answer 10

Thinking, memory, behaviour and movement

Question 11

What is role of the parietal lobe in the brain?

Answer 11

Language and touch

Question 12

What is the function of the cerebellum in the brain?

Answer 12

Balance and coordination

Question 13

What is genotype?

Answer 13

Determines POTENTIAL for particular characteristics

Question 14

What is phenotype?

Answer 14

The observable characteristics of an individual depending on genetic an environmental factors

Question 15

Is the biological approach nature or nurture?

Answer 15

Nature

Question 16

Where does the biological approach stand in the free will vs deterministic argument?

Answer 16

The biological approach includes hard determinism excluding other explanations

Question 17

What research methods does the biological approach use?

Answer 17

Lab experiments including (twin, adoption and family studies)
- to use scientific methods which are objective
- uses a nomothetic approach (using groups of people as participants to generate universal laws of behaviour

Question 18

What is reductionism?

Answer 18

Breaking down explanations of behaviour into individual components whilst not taking into account the others.

Question 19

What is the evolutionary explanation of behaviour?

Answer 19

Natural selection - the best characteristics of offspring adapt and are passed on through genes to their offspring

Question 20

What are the similarities between the biological and behaviourist approach?

Answer 20

• both use lab experiments to show scientific, objective data
• both use a nomothetic approach which brings about universal laws by using mixed groups of participants to bring about universal laws of behaviour
• both use hard determinism behaviourist(product of your environment ) vs biological (product of your genes)
• phobias and ocd

Question 21

What are the differences between biological and behaviourist approaches?

Answer 21

• behaviourist approach argues nurture over nature ( we begin as a blank slate our behaviour is not innate)
• the environment develops individuals behaviour (the family, their school and friendships etc)