biological approach

Question 1

what is the main assumption this approach makes?

Answer 1

believes all thoughts, feelings and behavior have a physical basis in the brain

Question 2

neurochemistry

Answer 2

chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning through neurotransmitters

Question 3

what does an imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain cause?
- include examples using serotonin and dopamine

Answer 3

cause of mental disorders

low levels of neurotransmitter serotonin = OCD

overproduction of dopamine = schizophrenia

Question 4

genotype

Answer 4

an individuals genetic makeup

Question 5

phenotype

Answer 5

way that genes are expressed through physical, behavioral and psychological characteristics

Question 6

briefly explain how genotypes and phenotypes help to explain the nature and nurture debate from a biological psychologists perspective

Answer 6

identical twins have the same genotypes but different phenotype

so many biological psychologists believe behavior depends upon an interaction by both nature and nurture factors

Question 7

what is the evolution of behavior?
- include how Charles Darwin supports this

Answer 7

the changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations

his theory of natural selection shows how any genetically determined behavior that enhances an individuals survival will continue in future generations

Question 8

give one strength of the biological approach

Answer 8

uses scientific methods of investigation that are precise and highly objective
- e.g. scanning techniques like FMRIs and EEGs
- advances in technology allow accurate measures of psychological processes that aren’t open to bias
- this approach is therefore supported by objective and reliable data

Question 9

give one limitation of the biological approach

Answer 9

it is determinist because it views human behavior as governed by internal/genetic causes we have no control over and ignores how a phenotyope is heavily influences by environment not just their nature.

• e.g. identical twins have the same genotype but something causes differences between them (their environment which changes their individual phenotypes)
• suggests this approach is too simplistic and ignores mediating effects of environment