Biological Approach Flashcards
What is the biological approach?
The influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour.
What is the basis of this approach?(Biological)
Combining psychology and biology to provide physiological explanations for human behaviour.
What are the assumptions of the biological approach?
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
What is the genetic basis of behaviour?
We differ from each other due to our genetic instructions - personality, IQ etc
Genetics are thought to influence the risk of mental illness
What are the 4 biological methods of investigating the genetic basis of behaviour?
Twin Studies
Family Studies
Adoption Studies
Selective Breeding
What should the concordance rate be between monozygotic twins?
100%
What is the influence of biological structures on behaviour?
The CNS
- neurotransmitters(NT) enable the nervous system(NS) to function
- abnormal levels of NT can lead to symptoms of mental illness
What do the inhibitory and excitatory nerve impulses do?
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
Why are hormones relevant to the body’s effect on behaviour?
Hormones are chemical substances that help to regulate processes in the body and secrete from glands which target organs through the bloodstream.
What is the role of the frontal lobe of the brain?
Thinking, memory, behaviour and movement
What is role of the parietal lobe in the brain?
Language and touch
What is the function of the cerebellum in the brain?
Balance and coordination
What is genotype?
Determines POTENTIAL for particular characteristics
What is phenotype?
The observable characteristics of an individual depending on genetic an environmental factors
Is the biological approach nature or nurture?
Nature
Where does the biological approach stand in the free will vs deterministic argument?
The biological approach includes hard determinism excluding other explanations
What research methods does the biological approach use?
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
What is reductionism?
Breaking down explanations of behaviour into individual components whilst not taking into account the others.
What is the evolutionary explanation of behaviour?
Natural selection - the best characteristics of offspring adapt and are passed on through genes to their offspring
What are the similarities between the biological and behaviourist approach?
- 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
What are the differences between biological and behaviourist approaches?
- 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)
