biological approach Flashcards
what are the assumptoins
everything psychological is first biological
must look at biological structures and process within body to understand human behaviour
mind ives in the brain-all thoughts feelings behaviour have physical basis
what is the neurochemical basis of behaviour
neurochemistry-action of chemicals in brain
thought and behaviour relies on chemical transmissio- occurs using neurotransmitters
imablance of neurchemicals in brain implicated as possible cause mental disorder
what is the genetic basis of behaviour
psychological characteristics inherited
twin sntudies used to investigate wether psychological characteristics have genetic basis- concordance rates- esxtent to which twins share same characteristic
if characteristic genetic expect mz twins concordant but not dz twins share 50% same genes
environment assumed to be constant
what is genotype and phenotype
genotype is genetic makeup
phenotype way genes expressed through physical behavioural and psychological characteristics
identical twins genes expressed different
human behaviour depends on interaction between inherited fctors and environment
what is evolution and behaviour
darwin-proposed theory natural selection-any genetically determined behaviour enhances indivifuals survival will continue future generations
processer more likely to survive reporduce and pass on traits
if individual survives but doesnt reproduce traits dont remain in gene pool for successive generations
what is real world (eval)
real world application
increased understanding of neurochemical processes in brain associated with the use of psychoactive drugs treat serious mental disorders
biological approach promoted treatment clinical depression using antidepressant drugs increase levels of neurotransmitter serotonin at synapses in brain
people with depression may be better able to manage their conditionand live their lives in community
antidepressant drugs successful for many patients dont work for everyone
cipriani-compared 21 antidepressant drugs and found wide vairations in thier effectiveness, most drugs more effective than placebos in comparitve trials, concluded effects were mainly modest
challenges value of biological approach-suggests brain chemistry may not accoutn for all cases
what is scientific methods
scientific methods of investigation
makes use of range of precise and highly objective methods
scanning techniques fmri eegs
possible to accurately measure physiological and neural processes in ways not open to bias
based on objective and reliable data
what is biological determinism (eval)
determinist
sees human behaviour governed by internal genetic causes over we have no control
phenotype influenced by environment
identical twins dont think and look same
genetic argument becomes problematic when consider things such as crime
biological view too simplistic and ignores mediating effects on environment
