Biological Approach Flashcards
Assumption 1
Behaviour can be explained by neuro transmitters:
Neurotransmitters are the chemical that are passed between neurons
They’re chemical messengers that carry signals
E.g a lack of serotonin = depression therefore anti depressants increase the amount of serotonin available at the synapse - this happens through synaptic transmission:
They’re released from the precynaptic cleft which stimulates receptors in the post synaptic neurone
Examples are:
-serotonin = happiness, learning, memory, hunger
-GABA = nerve cell hyperactivity (stress)
-noradrenaline = fight/flight
-oxytocin = love/bonding
-dopamine = pleasure and motivation
Assumption 2
Behaviour can be explained by localisation of brain function:
Certain areas of the brain are responsible for different functions
There are 4 lobes:
Frontal = thinking, creativity, language and motor skills (Broca’s area)
Parietal = sensory (touch/pain)
Occipital = visual info/processing
Temporal = auditory info and memory (wrenkles area)
Damage to these areas causes:
F=loss of motor skills, change in personality, brocas spacia (trouble producing speech)
P=sensory issues, tingling, numbness painless
O=perception issues and blind spots
T=change in emotional state, wrenkles spacia (trouble understanding speech)
Example:
Phineas gage
Traumatic brain injury where an iron rod went through his frontal lobe, he became rude and disrespectful and wouldn’t take advice however his memory and cognitive strength didn’t change
Assumption 3
Behaviour can be explained through evolutionary experiences:
Natural selection:
-survival (fight or flight)
-mating
-parenting/maternal instinct
-family/kinship
-phobias
Charles Darwin survival of the fittest:
Organisms become better suited to their environment
Stronger genes survive
Adaptive behaviour traits that increase survival will remain
EEA (environment of evolutionary adaptations)
Explains why humans have adapted, adaptations include:
-large brains
-abilities to form alliance
Example: nycotaphobia (fear of the dark)
Flight/flight activated at night due to once being pray at night, increased anxiety has developed into phobias today
Aims of drug therapy
Biological approach states that behaviour is due to our biological makeup
It aims to manipulate a persons bodily processes with the goal of reducing the symptoms of their MH disorder
Examples of MH treated with drug therapy:
Schizophrenia-excess dopamine
Depression-lack of serotonin
Anxiety-over production of adrenaline and an imbalance of emotional centres in the brain
Component 1 of drug therapy
Antipsychotics:
There are two types:
1- conventional - haldol and loxitane
Schizophrenia = excess dopamine in the brain
The medication binds to dopamine receptors in they brain and blocks the dopamine receptors
This reduces the flow of dopamine in the brain
Side effects:
Tardive dyskinesia (irregular movements that cant be controlled)
Sleepiness
Emotional effects
2- aytipical - abilfy and clorazil
These work in a similar way but are only temporary blocking dopamine receptor sites
They will then dissociate to allow normal dopamine flow
Side effects are less prevalent but similar
2nd component of drug therapy
Anti depressants ( selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
They block the transport mechanism that reabsorbs serotonin
SSRI’s work by binding to the post synaptic receptor sites in the neuron
This stops the reuptake of serotonin so less is absorbed
More serotonin builds up in the synaptic cleft
Examples:
Prozac and sertraline
Side effects:
Sickness
Headaches
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Worsening of symptoms
3rd component of drug therapy
Anti-anxiety drugs:
2 types:
1- BZ’s e.g Valium
They work to calm the body’s stress responses
They slow the activity of the CNS done by enhancing the activity of GABA
Side effects:
Drowsiness
Light headed
Unsteadiness
2- BB’s - beta blockers e.g propranolol
They bind to the receptors on the cells on the area of the body that come aroused e.g heart
BB’s block receptors on those cells which slows the function - heart will beat slower and BP will fall = less anxious
Side effects:
Slow heart rate
Low blood pressure
Fatigue
Arithmias
Dizziness
Applying neurotransmitters (assumption 1) to the therapy
Neurotransmitters: serotonin = depression
SSRI’s (anti depressants) aim to treat depression by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin
Therefore reduces symptoms
Applying localisation of brain function (assumption 2) to the therapy
Drug therapy works by targeting specific centres in the brain
This slows down CNS activity and reduces symptoms of anxiety
E.g. anti anxiety meds = BZ’s targets the lambic system in our brains
Applying evolutionary influence (assumption 3) to the therapy
Genetics play a part in mental illness by adaptive behavioural traits that increase survival will continue to be present
Anti anxiety drugs as this has caused anxiety and fear of the dark so they aim to calm the body from stress/fear of the dark
E.g nycotophobia as humans used to be hunted at night
Evaluation of during therapy - effectiveness
- comparison to other therapies
S- strenght
E- in comparison to other therapies e.g CBT - drug therapy is relatively cheap because of the NHS so more practical
E-this makes is effective as they do not need to invest as much time monthly - cost effective and requires less in person treatment
W- strength as its less strain on nhs, its easy to administer compared to verbal/private therapy
Evaluation of drug therapy - effectiveness
- research to support
S- strength
E- Khan et al followed patients for 8 weeks finding BZ’s more effective in treating anxiety than placebos
E-effective when used in randomised drug trails - improves symptoms
W- strength as they have psychological impacts on body and improves quality of life
Evaluation of drug therapy - ethics
- use of placebos
S- ethical weakness
E-research ethics say no patient should be given treatment known to be inferior
E- using a placebo in replace of an effective drugs does not satisfy this duty - instead they should have a control group with a pre existing drug
W- this is a weakness as its deception due to being exposed to a known inferior
Aims of Raines classical evidence
Looks at both cortical and subcortical brain functioning using pet scans
Was thought they would show evidence of brain dysfunction in their prefrontal cortex
Used a group of murderers who pleaded guilty -NGRI
Methodology
Research method:
quasi - NGRI murders was not manipulated by researcher
Pet scans - brain scanning technique to identify brain activity
Experimental design:
Matched pairs- the control group (non murders) were matched on age, sex and mental health
Sampling method:
Opportunity- murderers were referred to uni of California to prove their mental impairment
Sample:
82 participants
Mean age = 34.3
6 schizophrenics, 23 with brain damage, 2 substance abuse, 2 epileptic, 3 send needs, 2 with ppd
Experimental group = 41 murders (39 men and 2 women
Control group = 41 normal adults (matched on age,sex and MH)
