Biological Approach Flashcards
What was the approach in the 1980’s?
The biological approach
When was the biological approach?
1980s
What allowed researchers to develop this area of psychology?
The advances in technology
Give examples of some technological advances that allowed researches to study more?
The use of scanning techniques such as fMRI and EEG
What was the role of these scanning techniques?
to study the live activity of the brain
What is the new aspect of the biological approach?
The study between genes and behaviour
What method allows us to study the relationship between genes & behaviour?
genetic testing
What is the biological approach
A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function
Define genes
They mak up chromsomes and consist of DNA which codes the physical features of an organism and psychological features. Genes are transmitted from parents to offsprings
Define biological structure
An arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ, system or living things
Define neurochemistry
Relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning
Define genotype
The particular set of genes that a person possesses
Define phenotype
The characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment
Define evolution
The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
What is the assumption of the biological approach
That everything that is psychological is at first biological so in order to fully understand human behaviour we must look into biological structures and processes
From a biological perspective where does the mind live
In the brain, which means all thoughts, feelings and behaviour ultimately have a.physical basis
What is the biological approach in contrast to
The cognitive approach, which sees mental processes of the mind being separate from the physical brain
What do our thoughts and behaviours usually rely on?
A lot of our thoughts and behaviour relies on chemical transmission in the brain and this is done by neurotransmitters
What is a possible reason for mental disorders
An imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain
What are examples of imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain
.Low level of serotonin neurotransmitters in OCD
.low levels of dopamine neurotransmitters in schizophrenia
What are psychological characteristics inherited the same way as?
The same way as hair or eye colour
What are twin studies used for?
They are used to investigate whether certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis
How are twin studies analysed for their purpose
This is achieved by analysing concordance rates
What are concordance rates
The extent to which twins share the same characteristics
What would we expect if all characteristic is genetic
That all identical twins would be concordant whereas for non identical twins it wouldn’t
What are monozygotic twins
Identical twins
What are dizygotic twins
Non identical twins who share around 50% of the same genes
What is assumed for both identical and non identical cases
That the environment is assumed to be constant
What is a persons genotype
Their actual genetic makeup
What is a phenotype
It is the way that genes are expressed through physical behavioural and psychological characteristics
Are twin genes always presented in the same way ?
No because despite having the same genes, the way identical twins genes are expressed is different
What do many biological psychologists accept
That human behaviour depends upon interaction between inherited factors and the environment
Is inherited factors nature or nurture?
Nature
Is the environment nature or nurture
Nurture
Who proposed the theory of evolution and natural selection
Charles Darwin
What is the main principle of the theory of natural selection
That any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual survival, will continue in future generations
How does natural selection work
Similar to selective breeding
How does natural selection take place in terms of nature
It takes place ‘naturally’ as no one ‘decides’
Why does natural selection naturally take place
Because some traits give the possessor certain advantages and so they are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on the traits
What happens if individuals survive but don’t reproduce
The traits don’t remain in the gene pool for successive generations
What are the 2 strengths of the biological approach
.It has real world application as it has promoted the treatment for certain conditions such as clinical depression
.they use scientific methods and so it makes us of a range of precise and highly objective methods
What are the limitations of the biological approach
.a counterpoint is that although certain drugs and treatments work for people it may not work for all and this challenges the vale of the BA
.it is determinist as it sees human behaviour to be governed by internal genetic causes and it suggests that the BA is too simplistic and ignored the mediating effects of the environment
Define gene
A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA. This DNA codes the physical (e.g. hair colour) and psychological (e.g. intelligence) features of an organism.
Define neurochemistry
The study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system that regulate psychological functioning. This includes the role of neurotransmitters and hormones.
Define heredity
The passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through genes
Define neurotransmitters
Chemicals that travel across the synapse (the gap between neurons) to transmit messages.
Define biological factors
An arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ, system or living thing.
What is the equation with genotype, phenotype and environment
Genotype + Environment = Phenotype
