Biological Approach Flashcards
What does the biological approach combine?
Biology and psychology to provide physiological explanations for human behaviour
What does the biological approach explain?
How we think, feel and behaviour in terms of physical factors within the body
What is heritability?
How much of an influence we are sure our behaviour has been determined by genetic factors:
Measured out of 1 e.g 0.84 heritability means 0.16 other factors
Who are genes inherited from?
50/50 from parents
What do genes carry information for?
Characteristics such as personality and IQ (these genes must be fulfilled to work)
How are genes related to neural links?
Genes have an influence on neurotransmitters (COMPT and SERT gene)
What does the twins study suggest about IQ variance?
It is 60-80% determined by your genes
Does this approach claim genes are the only explanation of behaviour?
No, but they play a strong part (e.g genes can play a role in the development of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia)
What are Mz twins?
Monozygotic twins (identical twins) - share 100% genetic makeup as both twins came from the same egg and sperm
What are Dz twins?
Dizygotic twins (non-identical twins) - 50% shared genetic makeup (same as siblings) as two eggs have been fertilised by two different sperm but embryo happens to grow at same time
What is concordance rate?
Expected traits that the other individual will have the same heritability
Why do Mz twins never really have 100% concordance?
Our genes predispose us to our characteristics but they are not the only influence
How are non-identical twins different from siblings?
Non-identical twins share a womb environment
What did Bouchard’s twin research show?
Identical twins who were reared together had an 86% concordance rate for intelligence
Identical twins who were reared apart had a 72% concordance rate for intelligence
Shows how environment influences concordance rate as well as genes
What do the 6 biological structures of the brain control?
. Frontal lobe - thinking, memory, behaviour and movement
. Parietal lobe - Language and touch
. Occipital lobe - sight
. Cerebellum - balance and coordination
. Temporal lobe - hearing, learning and feelings
. Brain stem - breathing, heart rate and temperature
What did Phineas Cage’s incident show?
. Personality changed after blast - it is brain-determined
- brain is localised
. Originally well-mannered and became aggressive after blast
. Frontal lobe affected - parts of speech, reasoning and controlling emotions changed
. Rod blew through his brain
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical messengers that balance behaviour via synaptic transmission
What are the two mood regulating hormones and what do their levels show?
. Serotonin (calming) - low levels = depression
. Dopamine (stimulating) - high levels = OCD
How are hormones affected?
Via biological rhythms
What is melatonin and what do high levels show?
Sleep HORMONE: good sleep at high levels
What chemical state is needed for optimal behaviour?
Homeostasis
How do your genes relate to neurochemsitry?
Your neurotransmitters can be affected by your genes
SERT gene =serotonin gene
COMPT gene =dopamine gene
How does gene variation relate to neurochemistry?
Gene variants can predispose you to illnesses related to each neurotransmitter e.g OCD and depression
What are the basic units of heredity?
Genes
