biological approach Flashcards
Assumptions
. all human behaviour at first biological - the mind lives in the brain
. physical factors e.g. hormones, neuroanatomy, nervous system, inheritance of genes explain our behaviour
. argues individual’s genotype and phenotype determine how we behave
What does the biological approach argue?
. behaviour should be studied scientifically
. using research techniques e.g. gene mapping/ fMRIs
. objectively study how our biology can affect our behaviour
Feature 1: the influence of genes on behaviour
. genetic explanation argues behavioural characteristics e.g. intelligence/mental illnesses genetically inherited
. same way as physical characteristics e.g. eye colour
. behaviours run in families
Feature 1: the influence of genes on behaviour example
. genetic explanation argue OCD due to inheritance one or many maladaptive genes (SERT?CLMT)
. closer genetic link someone with OCD greater risk inheriting
. genetic probability sharing behaviour measured by concordance rate
. higher concordance rate stronger evidence genetic basis of behaviour
. shown in twin studies for OCD
. monozygotic twins concordance = 87%
. dizygotic twins concordance = 47%
Define the term genotype (2m)
. specific set of genes
. individual has inherited from biological parents
. is unique to them (their genetic makeup)
. give a predisposition to disorders
Define the term phenotype (2m)
. product of what happens when the genotype interacts with the environment
. combination of genotype and enviro
. how genes are expressed
. through physical, behaviour, psychological characteristics
. are observable traits/behaviours
Example of genotype and phenotype
. identical twins have same genotype/identical genes
. look slightly different due to enviro
. e.g. one had dyed hair/exercised more (phenotype)
. OR
. agression
.genotype = dysfunctional MAOA gene
. phenotype = abusive childhood
Feature 2: the influence of biological structures on behaviour
. biological structure is an organ e.g. brain, nervous system, endocrine system
. brain one biological structure influence behaviour
. abnormalities in size, shape or function
. in certain areas of brain lead to certain behaviours
Feature 2: the influence of biological structures on behaviour example
. enlarged ventricles in brain
. increase likelihood of experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia
Feature 3: the influence of neurochemistry on behaviour
. neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in brain
. pass info from one synapse to other
. to produce behaviour/emotion
. range of neurotransmitters in brain communicate these messages
. when there is imbalance causes abnormal behaviour
Feature 3: the influence of neurochemistry on behaviour example
. imbalance of dopamine
. associated with development of schizophrenia
. imbalance of serotonin
. linked with development of depression, anxiety, OCD
Feature 4: evolution and behaviour
. Charles Darwin created theory natural selection
. suggest any genetically determined behaviour
. that increases individual’s chance of survival and reproduction
. will continue to be passed on to future generations
. e.g. intelligence or agression
. takes place naturally - nobody decided - acts as survival benefit
. happens cause individual who posses certain beneficial traits has increased chance of survival
. so able pass on beneficial traits to offspring - reproductive success
Feature 4: evolution and behaviour example
. evolution explain range of behaviours e.g. aggression
. being aggressive some point in ancestry be beneficial
. in terms of survival and reproduction
. aggression increased chances gaining resources e.g. hunting food = attractive to mate
. aggressive behaviour naturally selected passed on
. research into genetic basis behaviour found 1/3 men warrior gene (MAOA) linked to aggressive behaviour
AO3 for biological: biological determinism
AO3 for biological: biological reductionism
