Biological Approach

Question 1

Biological approach assumptions

Answer 1

• Physical processes in body, incl. brain damage, genes, biochemistry = influence human behaviour
• All thoughts feelings, behaviours thoughts = have physical basis

Question 2

What is neurochemical basis of behaviour

Answer 2

= action of chemicals in brain
imbalance of neurochemicals in brain = linked to mental disorders
e.g. low levels of serotonin and high levels of dopamine in OCD patients

Question 3

What is the genetic basis of behaviour

Answer 3

investigating whether certain psychological characteristics have genetic basis
e.g. through twin studies (mono/dizygotic) and analysing concordance rates

Question 4

genotype vs phenotype

Answer 4

genotype
= genetic makeup

phenotype
= physical way genes are expressed, caused by both environment and inheritance

Question 5

impact of evolution on behaviour

Answer 5

certain characteristics, that prove more advantageous = likely to be more prevalent in population due to being able to survive through them and reproduce, hence passing them on further = evolution through natural selection

Question 6

Pros of Biological Approach

Answer 6

• Highly controlled
  = Not affected by extraneous variables
  = Easily replicable
  Lab = high causation
• IRL app.
  = e.g. understanding of neurochemicals impacting behaviour
  = introduce use of psychoactive drugs to treat mental disorders, e.g. SSRIs for OCD, antidepressant drugs for depression
  = increase value

Question 7

Cons of Biological Approach

Answer 7

• Lack mundane realism/ecological validity
  = use of lab studies
  = decrease external validity
• Biologically determinist
  = sees behaviour to be fully governed by internal, genetic, uncontrollable factors
  = simplistic, ignores influence of nurture

Question 8

what are concordance rates

Answer 8

degree of similarity/agreement between two individuals with respect to a specific outcome or trait