biological approach Flashcards
what does the biological approach combine
the biological approach combines psychology and biology to provide physiological explanations for human behaviour
what are the assumptions of the biological approach
- 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
define neurochemistry
actions of chemicals in the brain cause our behaviour
in the biological approach where does the mind live
in the brain
define neurotransmitters
chemicals that diffuse across a synapse delivering signals from 1 synapse to another
what does an imbalance of neurotransmitters cause
an imbalance of neurotransmitters = mental disorders
if there is a lack of serotonin in your brain what does this cause
lack of serotonin = OCD
if there is too much dopamine in your brain what does this cause
too much dopamine = schizophrenia
list the methods of investigating the genetic basis of behaviour
twin studies
family studies
adoption studies
in monozygotic twins what is their concordance rate
100%
define monozygotic
1 fertilised egg splits in 2 which forms 2 embryos that share a placenta
define dizygotic
2 fertilised eggs cells by 2 different sperm cells which forms 2 embryos the have different placentas
define concordance rates
the extent to which a pair of twins share similar traits
in 1869 what did Francis Galton say about family studies
“all natural abilities are inherited)
what did Galton later go on to agree regarding family studies
any resemblance between family relatives could be a result of both genes and a shared environment
what could alcoholism be caused by
the biological predisposition to alcoholism
define adoption studies
comparing a trait between adopted children and their biological or adoptive parents
define genotype
particular set of gens that an organism posesses
define phenotype
observable characteristic of an organism that depend on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors
what are genes and what do they do
the basic units of heredity
function in pairs
recombination of genes from parents to offspring provides the basis for genetic variability
how do sexually reproducing organisms pass on their genes
through sperm and egg cells
define anatomical features
behavioural and physical characteristics
( shape, metabolic activity, size)
what do behavioural and physical attributes determine
an individual’s ability to reproduce and survive in the environment
define monozygotic twins
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
define evolution
the changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
what 2 main concepts did Charles Darwin emphasise in evolutionary theory
natural selection
sexual selection
define natural selection
animals with particular traits are most likely to survive and reproduce thereby passing on their adaptive traits to their offspring
what 3 factors does behaviour adaptation depends on
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)
define intersexual selection
members of one chose their mates
efine intrasexual selection
have to compete for mates
what do more reproductively successful organisms do
pass on their genes to offspring
but this can lead to the development of characteristics that don’t have a clear survival advantage
