Biological Approach Flashcards
What does the biological approach believe?
The biological approach believes behavior to be as a consequence of our genetics and physiology. It is the only approach in psychology that examines thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from a biological and thus physical point of view.
What are the key assumptions of the biological approach?
Humans are biological organism
Behaviour is caused by physical factors including:
-Genetics
-Twin/Family/Adoption studies
-Evolution
What influence does genes have on someone
An individual’s genotype is their genetic potential. It is the genetic instructions laid out by their genes. However, if their environment does not provide the optimum conditions for this to be released, they will not fulfil their genetic potential.
Evaluation of Genes influence PKU (+)
Phenylketonuria (PKU) PKU is a genetic disorder which affects the ability to break down a substance contained in normal foods (phenylalanine).
If the individual follows a strict diet avoiding this substance his phenotype will be normal intelligence and behaviour however if an individual eats a diet containing the substance then it will accumulate in the brain, this will lead to a different phenotype: severe learning difficulties and behavioural problem.
This shows that the presence of particular genes might lead to different outcome depending on the social environment. This shows that characteristics depend upon an interaction between nature (the genes) and nurture (the environment).
What is natural selection?
Genetically determined characteristics or behaviour that enhances our chances of survival and reproduction will be passed on to the next generation, and become more common in a population whereas traits which do not enhance survival will gradually disappear.
What study supports evolution (+)
Bowlby’s theory of attachment
Evidence that genes influence behaviour
Concordance rates- twin and family studies show that the risk of disorders such as schizophrenia, OCD and depression increase significantly the more closely related people are to the sufferer, as they have more genes
What is phenotype effected by?
Environment
What is a gene?
A part of a chromosome that carried information in the form of DNA,inherited from parents
What is neurochemistry?
The study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system
How does neurochemistry explain behaviour?
Too much or too little of a particular neurotransmitters may produce psychological disorders. E.g and increased amount of dopamine is linked to sz
What did Gottesman did and what did he find out?
He carried out a meta analysis of approximately 40 twin studies and found out that if you have a twin with sz you have a 48% chance of developing the condition. This is reduced to 17% for DZ twins
What are some strengths of the biological approach? (Real life application)
-Increased understanding of biochemical processes had led to the development of drugs
Strength of biological approach (scientific and objective methods)
Scanning techniques such as fMRIs and EEGs, family and twin studies shows that the approach has good evidence to back it up. The data is more reliable, accurately measured and objective
Nature vs Nurture (-)
Twin and family studies conclude that behaviour is caused by genetic factors however, families are within similar environments so behaviour old be due to nurture
