Biological Approach

Question 1

Key assumptions

Answer 1

-Humans are biological organisms made up of physiological processes.
-Everything psychological is at first biological.
- Ideas about evolution can be applied to human behaviouir

Question 2

Evolution+ genetic basis of behaviour

Answer 2

-Charles Darwin (1859)- natural selection- individuals adapting traits that enable them to survive
-Genes- genetic info carried by DNA in chromosomes—> passed on through generations of species if individuals survive + reproduce.
-Genes form a basis of behaviour as genes + behaviour appear to be heritable e.g aggressive behaviour

Question 3

Influence of genes on behaviour

Answer 3

-Genes carry info for a particular characteristics, how this develops on the influence environment.
-Genotype- genetic code written in the DNA
- Phenotype- physical appearance, interaction between phenotype+ environment= behaviour.

Question 4

Evaluation

Answer 4

+real life application
-biological approach+ reductionalist- belief that complex behaviour can be broken down into small components as an explanation for behaviour.
-can’t separate nature+nurture
- Danger of genetic explanations