Biological approach Flashcards
Describe the assumption of ‘Evolutionary Influences’ In the biological approach.
The first assumption of the biological approach is evolutionary influences. The theory of evolution has been used to explain how the human mind and behaviour has changed over millions of years. The theory of natural selection is the idea that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individuals chance of survival and reproduction will be naturally selected. The genes will be passed onto the next generation.
Describe the assumption of ‘Localisation of brain functions’ In the biological approach.
This refers to the principle that certain areas of the brain are responsible for different functions. They have certain jobs or tasks to carry out. There are 4 obes; the frontal, parital, occipital and temporal. For example, ‘Paul Broca’ studied patients with language problems after their death and found that they had damage to a specific area of their left hemispheres. Broca’s Area associated with speech production.
Describe the assumption of ‘NeuroTransmitters’ In the biological approach.
Neurons are electrically excitable cells that form the basis of the nervous system. One neutron communicates with another neutron at a synapse, the message is relayed by chemical messengers. Neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters link to mental health, for example, the neurotransmitter, Serotonin, plays a role in our mood sleep and appetite. Too little serotonin can cause a chance of depression.
Using your knowledge of the biological approach explain how a relationship is formed.
Firstly the evolutionary theory proposes that relationships form with individuals that possess certain traits. Traits that enhance successful reproduction are naturally selected. For example, males mate more frequently- physical atttractivness and women seeks signs of someone who can provide. Explaining common relationships between older men and younger women.
Neurotransmitters can be used to explain relationships, as the chemicals in our brain have a powerful effect on our emotions. Oxytocin has been linked to human bonding and increasing trust and loyalty, high levels of oxytocin have been linked to romantic attachment. So we have a natural chemical drive to bond with other.
Describe the main components of drug therapy.
The biological approach assumes that psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia have a physiological cause. Known as the medical model. Changes in the brains neurotransmitters will affect our mood, feelings, perceptions and behaviour. Psychotherapeutic drugs can be used to alter the reactions of neurotransmitters and treat mental disorders. For example, antipsychotic drugs treat disorders such as schizophrenia. Conventional antipsychotics block the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine by binding to, but not stimulating the dopamine receptors.
Anti depressant drugs such as Prozac. Reduce the rate of absorption of neurotransmitters.
SSRI block the uptake of serotonin at the presynaptic membrane, increasing serotonin concentration at receptor sites on the postsynaptic membrane. So more of the serotonin is left in the synapse, prolonging its activity and making transmission of the next impulse easier.
Evaluate the use of drug therapy in terms of effectiveness.
-Drugs vs Placebo, considerable evidence for the effectiveness of drug treatments. In a randomised trial of drug therapy vs placebo. Drugs were more effective. ‘Soomro et al (2008)’. 17 studies SSRi’S with OCD. More effective.
-Side effects, eg nausea, headaches, insomnia. May mean the person doesn’t want to take the drug. Trycilic antidepressants have side effects as bad as hallucinations.
-Symptoms not cause, effective in treating the symptoms but not the cause. Eg, depression in adulthood my be due to underlying trauma. So antidepressants only work short term.
-Cheaper than other treatments such s psychotherapy.
Evaluate the use of drug therapy in terms of ethical issues.
-Use of Placebos, no patient should be given a treatment known to be inferior. If effective treatments exist they should be used as the control condition when new treatments re tested. Is unfair as vulnerable people may want an effective treatment but are given a placebo.
- Patient information, many patients will find it difficult to remember all the facts and side effects, or may not be in the right frame of mind to give vlid consent.
-Has a ‘quick’ fix nature.
What happens after you stop taking the drug? Withdrawal?
Describe the aims of ‘Raine,Buchsbaum and LaCasse’s Classic research (1997)
Raine et all wanted too investigate whether violent criminals had brain dysfunctions in these parts of the brain. They compared a group of murders with a control group of non -murders using brian scans.
They predicted there would be no dsyfunction in certain parts of the brain. As these were linked to mental ilnesses not violence.
The group of murders were not guilty for reasons of insanity. NGRI.
Describe the Methodology of ‘Raine,Buchsbaum and LaCasse’s Classic research (1997)
- Quasi experiment. Mtched pair design- each murder was matched with a control participant of the same age and gender.
- IV= NGRI or not.
- DV= brain differences.
- 41 murders in experimental group, 39 men,2 women. Mean age 34.3 years.
- CHarged with either murder or man slaughter.
- NGRI.
- Reffered to univeristy of california for examination to obtain proof of their diminished capacity.
- Murders had some sort of mental impariment- 6 schizophrenic, 23 brain damge, 3 psychoactive drug abuse, 2 afffective disorder, 2 epillepsy, 3 learning disabilty. 2 personality disorder.
- All murders medicatine free, checked with urine sample. 2 weeks prior to brain scanning.
- 6 schizorphrenics were matched with 6 schizophrenics from a mental hospital.Other controls had no history of psychiatric illness.
Describe the procedures of ‘Raine,Buchsbaum and LaCasse’s Classic research (1997)
- Sample obtained using oppurtunity sampling.
- A PET scan was used to study the active brain.
- All participnts were given an injection of ‘tracer’. Taken up by the active areas of the brain, so possible to compare brains of NGRI and control group.
- All pps were sked to do a continuous performance task. Aimed to ctive the target areas of the brain.
- PPs were given a chance to practice the CPT. Before the FDG injection.
- 30s before the FDG injection pps started the CPT so the initial task novelty wouldnt be FDG labelled.
- 32 minutes after the FDG injection a PET scn ws done of each pp.
- 10 Horizontal sides of the brain were recorded using corical peel and box techniques.
What were the findings of ‘Raine,Buchsbaum and LaCasse’s Classic research (1997)
They found brain differences. The study found reduced activity in the brain of NGRI in areas perviously linked to violence; Prefrontal cortex, left angular gurus, corpus colloquy. In the ,eft hemisphere only there was reduced activity in the amygdala, thalamus and hippocampus.
The study found increased activity in the brain of NGRI participants in areas not previously linked to violence. The cerebellum, and in the right hemisphere only there was increased activity in the amygdala, thalamus and hippocampus.
The study found no differed between NGRI group and controls in areas not previously linked to violence; caudate, putamen, locus pallidus and midbrain.
Both groups performed similarly on the CPT. So any observed difference were not related to task performance.
Describe the concluions of Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse’s (1997) research.
Research shows links between areas of the brain and aggression. Murders pleading NGRI have doffernt brain functioning to normal individuals. Link between brain dysfunction and a preidisposition towards violence in NGRI murders.
Critically evaluate Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse’s (1997) research.
- Limitation is that no casual conclusions can be drawn. Readers mis intepret the findings and assume all criminal behaviour is predetermined and inescapable.
- PET scans re still being developed. Data treated with caution.
- However can be a strengthas no longer. have to wait for a perso to die to examine their brain.
- PET scans are scientific.
- No violence is used in the tasks the pp compelted, so valididity could be questioned.
- Valid consent, pps may not have been mentally competent to provide.
- May cause psychological harm, if found task difficult, lower self steem.
- PP may not have fully undestoof their right to withdraw.
- If the research indicates that murders are born not made, may cause consequences for people with similar brain abnormalities, could be imprisoned without a trial.
What are the weaknesses of the biological approach?
- Nature vs Nuture- biological approach focuses on just nuture. Whichignores life experiences (nuture), and psychological fctors such as how people think and feel.
- Reductionist approach- its reduced down, not explained fully, may loose a real understanding of what is being investigated.
- Individual differences- is normothetic, looks to make generalisations about people and find similarities. Biological research focuses on just a few individuals and assumes everyones biological systems behave in the same way. Which may not be the case.
What are the strengths of the biological approach?
- Scientific approach- biological explenations have clear variables that can be measured, tracked and examined. Using scientifc research and experiments. Rain et al, use of PET scans
- Deterministic approach- We know what ‘predetermines’ our behaviour, so are more likely to be able to treat people.
- Succesful applications- many succesful applications, research into disorders allows implicatios for offering pharmacological treatments. eg bipolar has been succesfully treated with drugs. Vigure et al (2000) 60% of bpd improve when being treated with lithium
