Biological Approach

Question 1

Outline the key assumptions of the biological approach

1
2
3
4

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is the genotype

Answer 2

Genotype is the genetic make up of the individual

The sort of genes the individual possesses

Question 3

What is the phenotype

Answer 3

Observable characteristics of individual determined by environmental and genes

is the expression of our genotype.


Question 4

What is evolution

Answer 4

Changes in inherited characteristics over successive generations

Due to natural selection

Charles Darwin’s theory

Question 5

What condition and example of how our genotype can be influenced by our environment

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Some characteristics that thought to be influenced by genes
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2
3

Answer 6

Intelligence
certain psychological disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar)
male and female to differences
(Males are more aggressive due to genetic make up)

Question 7

What is concordance

Answer 7

Extent to which two people share the same characteristics

Question 8

What is the central nervous system made up of

Answer 8

Brain and spinal cord

Question 9

Explain the role of the spinal-cord and the brain in the central nervous system

Answer 9

The spinal-cord receives and passes messages to and from the brain and connect to nerves in the peripheral nervous system

Question 10

What is the peripheral nervous system

Answer 10

Made up of Neurons that transmit information to and from the central nervous system

2 subsystems
Somatic
Autonomic nervous system

Question 11

What does the somatic nervous system do

Answer 11

VOLUNTARY
Transmits information received by the senses to the central nervous system

and sends information from the central nervous system to the muscles

Question 12

What is the autonomic nervous system

Answer 12

INVOLUNTARY
Divided into
Sympathetic nervous system increases by the activities in response to fight or flight

Parasympathetic nervous system decrease body activities or maintains


Question 13

How does biological approach study human behaviour

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Biological approach
AO1

Answer 14

Everything psychological is at first biological
The influence of genes
Genotype and phenotype
Twin studies

Question 15

Biological approach A01
Everything psychological is at first biological

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Biological approach A01
Inference of genes

Answer 16

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 

Question 17

Biological approach A01
Genotype and phenotype

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Biological approach A01
Twin studies

Answer 18

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%

Question 19

Evaluation of biological approach

Answer 19

Deterministic
Reductionist
Real life application
Scientific credibility

Question 20

Evaluation of biological approach
Limitation is that is is determinist

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Evaluation of biological approach
Reductionist

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Evaluation of biological approach
Real life application

Answer 22

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 

Question 23

Evaluation of biological approach
Scientific credibility

Answer 23

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