biological approach

Question 1

The biological approach believes that all behaviour is caused by

Answer 1

Physical processes within the body
- genetics, evolution
- neurochemistry
- neuroanatomy

Question 2

Assumption 1:
Genetics

Answer 2

Bio approach believe that our genes influence our behaviour
So they use twin studies

Question 3

Identical twin

Answer 3

Single egg fertilised by single sperm then splits in two
Monozygotic twins (MZ)
Share 100% of genes

Question 4

Fraternal twins

Answer 4

Separate eggs fertilised by separate sperm
Dizygotic twins (DZ)
Share only 50% of genes

Question 5

Twin studies

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Genotype

Answer 6

Individuals genetic makeup. It dictates characteristics eg eye colour and hair colour

Question 7

Phenotype

Answer 7

Product of what happens when the genotype interacts with environment

Question 8

Assumption 2
Evolution

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Assumption 3
Neurochemistry

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Dopamine

Answer 10

Reward mechanisms in brain - cannabis, alcohol
Feels good
Excess levels thought to cause schizophrenia, low levels thought to cause Parkinson’s

Question 11

Serotonin

Answer 11

Involved in regulation of mood and emotion
Low levels - depression, anger control.
Also linked to seasonal affective disorder

Question 12

Schizophrenia

Answer 12

2 main symptoms:
Hallucinations- visual - auditory - olfactory
Delusions - grandeur - persecution

Antipsychotics- lower levels of dopamine

Question 13

Frontal lobe

Answer 13

Reasoning, behaviour control and emotion
Personality. Mental health issues.
Damage: social behaviour, personality, sexual behaviour

Question 14

Parietal lobe

Answer 14

Perception, touch, pain, taste, pressure and temperature
Damage: impaired reading, writing and sensory perception

Question 15

Occipital lobe

Answer 15

Vision, detect movement, colour
Damage: visual disturbances, visual hallucinations

Question 16

Temporal lobe

Answer 16

Memory, speech, hearing, language
Damage: impaired memory, hearing, understanding, spoken language

Question 17

Phineas Gage

Answer 17

1848. 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

Question 18

Evaluation
Strength
Useful

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Strength
Scientific

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Limitations
Reductionist

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Limitations
Determinist

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Advances in brain imaging techniques

Answer 23

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