Biological Approach Flashcards
Outline the key assumptions of the biological approach
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Behaviour is influenced by genetic factors
Behaviour is caused by electrochemical events occurring between neurons that make up the nervous system particularly those in the brain
Chemical imbalances in the brain are responsible for certain behaviours
Humans have evolved through Darwin’s theory of evolution
What is the genotype
Genotype is the genetic make up of the individual
The sort of genes the individual possesses
What is the phenotype
Observable characteristics of individual determined by environmental and genes
is the expression of our genotype.

What is evolution
Changes in inherited characteristics over successive generations
Due to natural selection
Charles Darwin’s theory
What condition and example of how our genotype can be influenced by our environment
PKU disorder
Individuals and able to break down
Phenylalanine
If baby is diagnosed early put on a diet that doesn’t contain phenylalanine
-Doesn’t develop brain damage
PKU is a clear example of how our genotype can be influenced by our environment. Neither nature or nurture explanation on its own can explain human behaviour
Some characteristics that thought to be influenced by genes
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Intelligence
certain psychological disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar)
male and female to differences
(Males are more aggressive due to genetic make up)
What is concordance
Extent to which two people share the same characteristics
What is the central nervous system made up of
Brain and spinal cord
Explain the role of the spinal-cord and the brain in the central nervous system
The spinal-cord receives and passes messages to and from the brain and connect to nerves in the peripheral nervous system
What is the peripheral nervous system
Made up of Neurons that transmit information to and from the central nervous system
2 subsystems
Somatic
Autonomic nervous system
What does the somatic nervous system do
VOLUNTARY
Transmits information received by the senses to the central nervous system
and sends information from the central nervous system to the muscles
What is the autonomic nervous system
INVOLUNTARY
Divided into
Sympathetic nervous system increases by the activities in response to fight or flight
Parasympathetic nervous system decrease body activities or maintains

How does biological approach study human behaviour
Lab experiments on both animals and humans
Twin studies
Brain scans e.g. PET scans if MRI scans EEGs can be used to study structure and functioning of the brain
Biological approach
AO1
Everything psychological is at first biological
The influence of genes
Genotype and phenotype
Twin studies
Biological approach A01
Everything psychological is at first biological
The biological approach suggests that everything psychological is our first biological so in order to fully understand human behaviour we must look to biological structures and processes within the body
Such as genes and the nervous system and brain structure
The nervous system suggest that peoples behaviours are caused by electrochemical events occurring between new one specifically those in the brain imbalance of chemicals equals abnormal behaviour
Understanding of brain structure and function can explain our thoughts and behaviour
From a biological perspective all thoughts feelings and behaviours ultimately have a physical basis.
Biological approach A01
Inference of genes
Body cells contain a nucleus which contains 46 chromosomes chromosomes contain genes
Genes consist of short sections of DNA
They code for physical characteristics for example eye colour and height as well as physiological characteristics such as mental disorders and intelligence
These can be inverted
The question for psychologist is to determine what genes evened have on behaviour 
Biological approach A01
Genotype and phenotype
Genotype is set of genes a person has
Phenotype refers to observable characteristics of an individual determined by genotype and environment (expression of genotype)
E.g. monozygotic twins share the same genes but genes expressed differently e.g. dyed hair and skin tone
therefore biological psychologists will accept that much of human behaviour depends on inherited factors that nature and the environment nurture
Biological approach A01
Twin studies
Behaviourist study to what extent does genes affect behavioural characteristics using twin studies
Twin studies are used determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis
Done by comparing concordance rates between monozygotic and dizygotic twins
Concordance rate is the extent to which both twins share the same traits
Monozygotic share 100% same genes dizygotic 50%
Evaluation of biological approach
Deterministic
Reductionist
Real life application
Scientific credibility
Evaluation of biological approach
Limitation is that is is determinist
Biological approach is deterministic in a sense it is human behaviour as governed by internal biological causes of which we have no control
This has limitations were legal system
One of the rules of law is that offenders are seen as legally and morally responsible for their actions
Discovery of a criminal gene if there was such thing may complicate this principle
Evaluation of biological approach
Reductionist
A strength of the biological approach is that it is reductionist as it believes that human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down to its smallest components such as neurotransmitters and genes et cetera
Whilst this is a strength as reductionism leads to increase in scientific validity, critics argue that we cannot fully understand behaviour without taking into account all the factors
Biological approach can often be described as taking in oversimplified view ignoring cognitive social environmental factors on the influence of behaviour
Evaluation of biological approach
Real life application
Strength is that it provides clear predictions such as the effects of neurotransmitters on behaviour
This increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain as a development of psycho drugs that treat serial serious mental disorders such as depression
Although this is not effective for all patients they have revolutionised treatment for many
This is a strength as to biological approach can be used to help suffers manage their condition and help them to live normal lives than remain in hospital 
Evaluation of biological approach
Scientific credibility
The biological approach makes use of a range of highly scientific methods which are reliable objective
In order to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour
For example using brain scan such as PET scans and fMRI scans and EEGs scans
This increases the credibility of psychology and its status as a science
