Biological approach Flashcards
key assumption
-we can explain behaviour in terms of biological factors
Alleles definition
-different versions of a particular gene
genotype definition
-a description of all their genes and alleles
phenotype
a persons trait(appearance) that our controlled by both genotype and environmental factors
outline the difference between monozygotic twins and dizygotic twins
MZ twins are identical twins that come from one zygote which split into 2 identical zygotes whilst DZ twins are mostly non-identical twins that came from 2 different zygotes
concordance definition
when two twins share the same phenotype
Twin study: McGuffin et al (1996)
-studied the presence of depression in twins
-they found that MZ twins had a 46% concordance rate whilst DZ twins had a 20% concordance rate
-therefore concluded that major depression is partially influenced by genetics
-But, as MZ twins concordance rate is not 100%, he concluded that environment also plays a part in depression
explain one limitation of twin studies
MZ twins might share more of their environment than DZ twins, which therefore means that bigger concordance rate in MZ twins might be due to shared environment rather than genetics
strength of biological approach:
-very scientific because it is based on empirical, objective data, and since the experiments are well controlled and used standardised procedures, the researchers can easily test cause and effect relationships and their experiments can be easily replicated
-can help people who suffer from genetically inherited conditions, this is an important application of this approach
limitation of biological approach:
-overly reductionist, because it ignores social and cultural causes of behaviour
-approach is biologically deterministic, this implies that people cant change or improve, which could lead to people being discriminated against because of their biology and biological determinism can be used to excuse people behaviour, so they cant be held accountable when they do unethical things
