biological approach Flashcards
The biological approach believes that all behaviour is caused by
Physical processes within the body
- genetics, evolution
- neurochemistry
- neuroanatomy
Assumption 1:
Genetics
Bio approach believe that our genes influence our behaviour
So they use twin studies
Identical twin
Single egg fertilised by single sperm then splits in two
Monozygotic twins (MZ)
Share 100% of genes
Fraternal twins
Separate eggs fertilised by separate sperm
Dizygotic twins (DZ)
Share only 50% of genes
Twin studies
Twin studies determine likelihood that certain traits have genetic basis by comparing concordance rates - presence of same trait in both twins
If MZ twins have higher concordance rate than DZ twins, then this suggests a link
Genotype
Individuals genetic makeup. It dictates characteristics eg eye colour and hair colour
Phenotype
Product of what happens when the genotype interacts with environment
Assumption 2
Evolution
The bio approach believe that some of our behaviour has been influenced by evolution
Evolution - gradual change in characteristics and behaviours of a population of animals/humans over successive generations
Natural selection- process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring
Eg. If cave people had more aggression they could kill animals for food so higher chance of survival and reproduction
Assumption 3
Neurochemistry
Chemicals in brain that regulate psychological functioning
Neurons are cells that form the basis of the NS. One neuron communicates with another at a synapse where a neurotransmitter is released
Dopamine
Reward mechanisms in brain - cannabis, alcohol
Feels good
Excess levels thought to cause schizophrenia, low levels thought to cause Parkinson’s
Serotonin
Involved in regulation of mood and emotion
Low levels - depression, anger control.
Also linked to seasonal affective disorder
Schizophrenia
2 main symptoms:
Hallucinations- visual - auditory - olfactory
Delusions - grandeur - persecution
Antipsychotics- lower levels of dopamine
Frontal lobe
Reasoning, behaviour control and emotion
Personality. Mental health issues.
Damage: social behaviour, personality, sexual behaviour
Parietal lobe
Perception, touch, pain, taste, pressure and temperature
Damage: impaired reading, writing and sensory perception
Occipital lobe
Vision, detect movement, colour
Damage: visual disturbances, visual hallucinations
Temporal lobe
Memory, speech, hearing, language
Damage: impaired memory, hearing, understanding, spoken language
Phineas Gage
- During work, gunpowder exploded and launched a 3ft long metal pole through his skull.
It impacted frontal lobe. His personality changed as he became considerate and had a temper
Evaluation
Strength
Useful
P: useful in terms of developing treatment for mental health disorders
E: developed anti depressants. Bio approach says depression is caused by imbalance of serotonin. So SSRIs block reuptake.
C: better quality of life
Strength
Scientific
P: scientific as uses brain scans to study behaviour
E: fMRI. Psychologists study brain, lobes and functions. Scan highlights areas of brain that become more active when tasks are performed (using O2 blood)
C: high control over EVs allows C+E relationship to be established. Eg. Frontal lobe is responsible for emotions
Limitations
Reductionist
P: reductionist
E: only factor that causes behaviour is biology (genes). They fail to consider other causes for depression eg trauma they only consider chemical imbalance
C: limits understanding of behaviour so treatment for depression is limited
Limitations
Determinist
P: determinist
E: believes physical processes (biology) governs our behaviour
C: negative impact on legal system. If we have no responsibility over our actions, it’s very difficult to convict and sentence us. It provides an excuse
Cognitive neuroscience
The scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes
Merging of biological and cognitive approach
In brain scanning it has been possible to work out which parts of the brain are involved in processing of words
Advances in brain imaging techniques
With advances in brain imaging techniques eg PET and fMRI scientists can observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes
So cognitive neuroscience is becoming the dominant paradigm in modern psychology
Paradigm - shared set of beliefs
