Biological approach

Question 1

What is the biological approach ?

Answer 1

A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic influence and neural function

Question 2

Assumptions of the biological approach :

Answer 2

• Everything psychological is at first biological.
  -We must look to biological structures and processes within the body including ; genes , neurochemistry and the nervous system
  -All thoughts feelings and behaviour have a physical basis.

Question 3

How does the biological approach contrast to cognitive approach ?

Answer 3

Biological looks at thoughts,feelings and behaviour having a physical basis whereas cognitive approach sees mental processes of the mind as separate from the physical brain.

Question 4

What are behaviour geneticists ?

Answer 4

They study wheter behavioural characteristics are inheristed in the same way as physical characteristics
Eg. intelligence,personality, mental disorder vs height and eyecolour

Question 5

Why are twin studies used ?

Answer 5

Twin studies are used to determine the likeliehood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates between pairs of twins.

Question 6

What is concordance rate ?

Answer 6

The extent to which both twins share the same characteristics.

Question 7

Concordance rates in twins :

Answer 7

MZ twins have higher concordance rate than DZ twins. This suggests a genetic basis

Question 8

Percentage of genes MZ and DZ twins share

Answer 8

MZ- 100%
DZ - 50%

Question 9

Genotype :

Answer 9

The genetic makeup of an individual ; set of genes

Question 10

Phenotype :

Answer 10

Characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment.

Question 11

How can genes be expressed ?

Answer 11

Through physical , behavioural and psychological characteristics

Question 12

Nature v Nurture

Answer 12

Despite having the same genes , identical twins genes are expressed is different which illustrates that much of human behaviour depends upon an interaction between inherited factors and the environment.

Question 13

Evolution

Answer 13

The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations

Question 14

Theory of natural selection (Charles Darwin)

Answer 14

Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual’s survival and reproduce will continue in future generations. Increase in gene pool

Question 15

Eg . Farming - natural selection

Answer 15

Farmers select the animal ( cow) that possesses desirable characteristics.
Eg.the one cow who has a high milk yield will be chosen.

Question 16

Ao3

Answer 16

+ Scientific methods of investigation
+ Real life application
- Causal conclusions