Biological Approach Flashcards
assumption of biological approach
biological processes, genes and neurochemistry govern behaviour
% DNA shared by DZ twins
50%
% DNA shared by MZ twins
100%
% DNA shared by ordinary siblings
50%
why are DZ twins used in studies?
more likely to be raised in same environmental conditions than ordinary siblings so can be more confident in differences between MZ, DZ and ordinary siblings
concordance rate
degree to which, if one twin has a condition, the other twin will have it too
suggested concordance rates for schizophrenia (MZ and DZ)
MZ = 50%
DZ = 15%
what do behaviour geneticists study?
whether behavioural characteristics are inherited in the same way physical characteristics are
how are twin studies used?
to determine likelihood a certain trait is genetic by comparing concordance rates between different pairs of twins
what suggests a genetic basis in twin studies?
if MZ concordance higher than DZ concordance
genotype
genetic make up (inherited)
phenotype
how our genes are expressed, a result of an interaction between genotype and the environment
main principle of Darwin’s theory of natural selection
genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival and reproduction continues to future generations
2 examples of bhavioural adaptations in evolutionary psychology
- memory
- attachment
neurotransmitters
chemicals communicating info throughout body and brain by relaying signals between neurons
inhibitory NT
make adjacent neuron less likely to fire
what kind of NT is GABA
inhibitory
excitatory NT
make adjacent neuron more likely to fire
what determines whether a NT is inhibitory or excitatory
the are of the brain it is released from
what determines whether post-synaptic neuron fires?
how many inhibitory versus excitatory NT’s are released to it
net potential
number of excitatory NT’s minus number of inhibitory NTs
evaluation of biological approach
scientific drugs determine nature
