biological approach

Question 1

what does the biological approach combine

Answer 1

the biological approach combines psychology and biology to provide physiological explanations for human behaviour

Question 2

what are the assumptions of the biological approach

Answer 2

• everything psychological is fist biological
• focuses on brain structures and internal processes
• genes affect behaviour and influence individual psychological differences between people
• evolutionary psychology considers genetic influences in common behaviour

Question 3

define neurochemistry

Answer 3

actions of chemicals in the brain cause our behaviour

Question 4

in the biological approach where does the mind live

Answer 4

in the brain

Question 5

define neurotransmitters

Answer 5

chemicals that diffuse across a synapse delivering signals from 1 synapse to another

Question 6

what does an imbalance of neurotransmitters cause

Answer 6

an imbalance of neurotransmitters = mental disorders

Question 7

if there is a lack of serotonin in your brain what does this cause

Answer 7

lack of serotonin = OCD

Question 8

if there is too much dopamine in your brain what does this cause

Answer 8

too much dopamine = schizophrenia

Question 9

list the methods of investigating the genetic basis of behaviour

Answer 9

twin studies
family studies
adoption studies

Question 10

in monozygotic twins what is their concordance rate

Answer 10

100%

Question 11

define monozygotic

Answer 11

1 fertilised egg splits in 2 which forms 2 embryos that share a placenta

Question 12

define dizygotic

Answer 12

2 fertilised eggs cells by 2 different sperm cells which forms 2 embryos the have different placentas

Question 13

define concordance rates

Answer 13

the extent to which a pair of twins share similar traits

Question 14

in 1869 what did Francis Galton say about family studies

Answer 14

“all natural abilities are inherited)

Question 15

what did Galton later go on to agree regarding family studies

Answer 15

any resemblance between family relatives could be a result of both genes and a shared environment

Question 16

what could alcoholism be caused by

Answer 16

the biological predisposition to alcoholism

Question 17

define adoption studies

Answer 17

comparing a trait between adopted children and their biological or adoptive parents

Question 18

define genotype

Answer 18

particular set of gens that an organism posesses

Question 19

define phenotype

Answer 19

observable characteristic of an organism that depend on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors

Question 20

what are genes and what do they do

Answer 20

the basic units of heredity
function in pairs

recombination of genes from parents to offspring provides the basis for genetic variability

Question 21

how do sexually reproducing organisms pass on their genes

Answer 21

through sperm and egg cells

Question 22

define anatomical features

Answer 22

behavioural and physical characteristics
( shape, metabolic activity, size)

Question 23

what do behavioural and physical attributes determine

Answer 23

an individual’s ability to reproduce and survive in the environment

Question 24

define monozygotic twins

Answer 24

have the same genetic makeup (genotype) and look alike
possess different phenotypes (fingerprints are different)
any differences between them are due to differences in experiences or environment

Question 25

define evolution

Answer 25

the changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations

Question 26

what 2 main concepts did Charles Darwin emphasise in evolutionary theory

Answer 26

natural selection
sexual selection

Question 27

define natural selection

Answer 27

animals with particular traits are most likely to survive and reproduce thereby passing on their adaptive traits to their offspring

Question 28

what 3 factors does behaviour adaptation depends on

Answer 28

principle of diversity
( variety within a species)

principle of interaction
( how variety in species adapts to fit in with the environment)

principle of differential amplification
9those who adapt to their environment will reproduce and those who don’t will die)

Question 29

define intersexual selection

Answer 29

members of one chose their mates

Question 30

efine intrasexual selection

Answer 30

have to compete for mates

Question 31

what do more reproductively successful organisms do

Answer 31

pass on their genes to offspring

but this can lead to the development of characteristics that don’t have a clear survival advantage