Biological Approach:

Question 1

What is a gene?

Answer 1

Genes carry information in the form of DNA, which carry instructions for characteristics

Question 2

What is a person’s genotype?

Answer 2

A person’s genotype is their genetic makeup, which is fixed from birth.

Question 3

What is a person’s phenotype?

Answer 3

The expression of their genes, leading to the observable characteristics of that person. The phenotype is influenced by both the genetic makeup and the interaction with the environment.

Question 4

What is the influence of brain structures?

Answer 4

Biological psychologists believe that he structure of our brain is what determines our behaviour.

Question 5

What is the influence of neurochemistry?

Answer 5

Biological psychologists now recognise the role of chemicals in determining behaviour. For example, too little serotonin has been associated with depression and too much dopamine has been associated with schizophrenia.

Question 6

How do evolution and behaviour link?

Answer 6

• process of natural selection
• a classical example of evolutionary psychology reaesrch is Buss’s survey of heterosexual men.
• across all 37 countries studied, he found men preferred good looks, chasity, and youth, while women preferred good financial prospects and dependability.
• these results that certain behaviours and traits have evolved in both males and females since they promote better prospects for passing on favourable genes.

Question 7

STRENGTH: REAL WORLD APPLICATION

Answer 7

• drug therapies have been developed for many mental illnesses based in research into neurotransmitters
  -anti-depressants work to increase serotonin levels in the brain, based on the understanding of how low levels of serotonin contribute to depressive symptoms.
• understanding ‘abnormal’ neurochemical activity in the brain has been useful in developing treatments as well as explaining to patients why its not your fault will. Will its not your fault. Look at me will.

Question 8

STRENGTH: RELIABLE METHODS OF RESEARCH

Answer 8

• For example, some research into genetics and neurochemistry requires precise methodology, such as MRIs, PET scans, and drug trials.
• These techniques provide psychologists with an accurate measure of internal processes that were previously not accessible.
• this makes biological evidence even less susceptible to misinterpretation or experimenter bias which is a strength of such research.

Question 9

LIMITATION: CAUSATION IS STRONGLY IMPLIED

Answer 9

• e.g. one explanation of schizophrenia suggests that a lack of activity in the ventral striatum is linked to the development of negative symptoms such as abolition.
• only an association between brain structures and behaviour, or that the behaviour causes lower activity in that part of the brain.
• ergo, it is critically important to remember that biological explanations are often based on correlation rather than causation.