Biological Approach Flashcards
Assumptions (4)
- all behaviour is strongly influenced by our genetic makeup and inheritance. Behaviour is NOPT LEARNT from behaviour around you
- anything psychological is first biological
Mind “lies in the brain” - the brain is biological so all behaviour is psychological
Approach features (4)
- humans have evolved to behave in certain ways that have allowed the species to survive
- human behaviour is influenced by genetic makeup and inheritance
- uses biological structures to explain behaviours
- makes use of twin studies to study behaviour
Darwins evolution of behaviour
Darwin: “all living things have evolved over time through the process of natural selection”
2 types of genes : adaptive and maladaptive
Adaptive genes
They are passed on. Have survival benefits, and are wired in.
Eg something universal seen across the road such as facial expressions
Maladaptive genes
No survival benefits. They die out
Genotype
Actual genetic makeup
- eg hair colour, height
Phenotype
Expression of your genotype through environmental influences.
Family studies
- concordance rates (% of similarity between 2 people for a trait )
- higher %, the more likely it is to be genetic
Why use MZ twins in family studies
-with family studies the environment is the same (so the genetics may not be)
- 100% same genetics- so if the trait is genetic, they should both show that behaviour.
Negatives of using MZ twins
- Same environment
- same experiences
- cannot isolate the role of learning
- cannot separate genetics (nature ) from environment (nurture)
- so we use adoption studies
Adoption studies
- 2 MZ twins who are in different environments + look at behaviour
- if they show the same behaviour = genetic
If different = environmental
Other options of research
- brain scans
- fMRI ( oxygen blood flow)
-PET scans ( radioactive glucose) - animals = however unethical and not the same conscious mind.
