Biological Approach Flashcards
Name the key assumptions of the biological approach.
- There is a direct correlation between brain activity and cognition
- Biochemical imbalances can affect behaviour
- Brain physiology can affect behaviour
- Behaviour can be inherited (as it is determined by genetic information)
What are genes?
- Make up chromosomes and consists of DNA which codes for physical and psychological features
- Can be passed from parent to offspring
What are twin studies?
Researchers compare behavioural traits of twins to evaluate the degree of genetic and environmental influence on a specific trait
What are monozygotic twins?
Identical twins , 1 egg and 1 sperm split into two
What are dizygotic twins?
Fraternal twins , 2 eggs and 2 sperm
What is a concordance rate?
The extent to which both twins share the same characteristics (scale from 0-1)
What concordance rate do monozygotic twins have?
1 (100%)
What concordance rate do dizygotic twins have?
0.5 (50%)
Name the concordance rate statistics found by Bouchard and McGue when comparing IQ of family members.
MZ raised together - 0.86
MZ raised apart - 0.72
DZ raised together - 0.60
Siblings raised together - 0.47
Siblings raised apart - 0.24
Cousins - 0.15
Name the concordance rates found by Raine when looking at the delinquent behaviour of twins.
MZ twins - 0.52
DZ twins - 0.21
What are family studies?
A study to see if a particular trait or characteristic carries a genetic basis through family generations
What are adoption studies?
- Comparing characteristics between their biological and adoptive parents
- Investigates whether a trait / characteristic is inherited or influenced by the environment
What is selective breeding?
- Artificially selecting desired characteristics from male + female
animals - These two are then bred together to create offspring with these desired characteristics
- Demonstrates how a number of behavioural characteristics have a genetic basis
What is a genotype?
The genetic code for a specific gene
What is a phenotype?
The observable characteristics of an organism when genetics and the environment are combined
What is the nature v nurture debate?
Relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to individual’s traits
What is evolution?
The change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations
Who created the theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin
What is natural selection?
Organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring where these characteristics are passed to their offspring
What is sexual selection?
Mode of natural selection relating to a competition for mates and the development of characteristics that ensure reproductive success
Name the lobes of the brain.
Frontal
Parietal
Occipital
Temporal
Name the areas of the brain.
Visual
Auditory
Somatosensory
Broca’s
Wernicke’s
Motor
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
Personality
Motor skills
Speech production (Broca’s area)
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
Auditory processing
Language
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
Touch perception
Body orientation
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
Visual processing
What is the function of the brainstem?
Involuntary responses
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Balance and coordination
Which areas match up to which lobe?
Visual -> Occipital
Auditory -> Temporal
Somatosensory -> Parietal
Broca’s + Motor -> Frontal
What was Allen et al. (2007)?
An experiment done where a lower activity was found in the temporal lobe of those participants with schizophrenia
Who was Phineas Gage?
Railroad worker in the 1800s, suffered brain damage in prefrontal cortex. His case led to the discovery of the role of the frontal lobe in personality
What is neurochemistry?
Relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap during synaptic transmission
What are the 2 types of neurotransmitters?
Inhibitory and Excitatory
What are the strengths of the biological approach?
- Methods are objective leading to high reliability
- Real life application which lead to drug treatment for mental health + improved quality of life for those with mental health conditions
What are the weaknesses of the biological approach?
- Abnormalities are portrayed as a causes of imbalances of neurotransmitters, however, this approach fails to consider other factors
- Biologically deterministic , fails to consider free will in cases such as crime because this approach believes in the influence of pre determined genes
- In family / twin studies , it is difficult to separate the nature vs nature debate due to the similar environmental conditions they grew up in
