biological approach

Question 1

assumptions of the biological approach:

Answer 1

1) all human behaviour has a
biological origin (genes, the nervous system, and neurochemistry)

2) behaviour has evolved and human genes have evolved so we’re are more likely to survive

3) the best method to study people is the scientific method

Question 2

genes

Answer 2

segments of DNA molecules that code physical features

Question 3

neurochemistry

Answer 3

much of our behaviour relies on transmission of chemicals in the brain –
neurotransmitters

Question 4

genotype

Answer 4

your actual genetic make-up

Question 5

phenotype

Answer 5

the physical expression of a genotype

Question 6

evolution

Answer 6

the change in the characteristics of biological populations over successive generations

Question 7

neurotransmitter

Answer 7

chemical messengers that transmit nerve impulses across the synaptic gap

Question 8

what do behaviour geneticists study?

Answer 8

whether behavioural characteristics
are inherited the same way as physical characteristics

Question 9

what are twin studies used to determine and how?

Answer 9

the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates between pairs of twins

Question 10

define concordance rates

Answer 10

the extent to which both twins share the same characteristic

Question 11

how can monozygotic twins and dizygotic twins be used to discover genetic basis?

Answer 11

-if identical twins are found to have higher concordance rates than non-identical twins this would suggest a genetic basis
-this is because MZ twins share 100% of each other’s genes, whilst DZ twins share about 50%

Question 12

how are monozygotic twins born?

Answer 12

a fertilised cell splits into two and forms two separate embryos

Question 13

how are dizygotic twins born?

Answer 13

two separate eggs both become fertilised by different sperm cells at the same time

Question 14

what should the concordance rates between MZ twins be if a particular characteristic is a genetic one?

Answer 14

100%, lower for dizygotic twins

Question 15

family studies

Answer 15

involve finding out if relatives of those with a trait are more likely to have the trait than the general population

Question 16

adoption studies

Answer 16

involve comparing a trait/characteristic between adopted children and their biological or adoptive parents

Question 17

______ + ______ = phenotype

Answer 17

genotype + environment

(to a large extent, an individual’s phenotype is determined by
its genotype)

Question 18

how do monozygotic twins show the interaction between inheritance and environment?

Answer 18

-they have the same genetic makeup and they look alike, but they possess
different phenotypes
-any differences you may see between them (personality, tastes, aptitudes) are due to differences in their experience or environment

Question 19

rita and holly are identical twins who were separated at birth.

when they finally met each other at the age of 35, they were surprised at how different their personalities were

rita is much more social and out-going than holly

use your knowledge of genotype and phenotype to explain this difference in their personalities

Answer 19

-holly and rita have identical genotypes as they are MZ twins
-they have a predisposition to develop the same personalities as each other unless another factor intervenes.
-for them to have developed different personalities it must be influenced by being in different environments
-presumably rita was encouraged to be sociable and lively and holly was not
-their phenotypes (personalities) are different because of this

Question 20

phineas gage

Answer 20

an explosion sent an iron bar through his head, destroying a large portion of his frontal cortex:

-personality change
-lost his ability to inhibit antisocial
-was angry when he used to be relaxed

Question 21

what are imbalances in the number of neurotransmitters associated with?
(+ examples)

Answer 21

atypical behaviour

(lack of serotonin → depression)

Question 22

hormones

Answer 22

-chemicals that affect behaviour
-they are released into the bloodstream where they travel to the target cells which are activated by them specifically

Question 23

what happens when a nerve impulse reaches the end of one neuron?

Answer 23

-1a neurotransmitter is released
-it travels from one neuron to the next across a synapse

Question 24

excitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 24

trigger nerve impulses in the receiving neuron and stimulate the brain into action

Question 25

inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 25

inhibit nerve impulses in order to calm the brain and balance mood

Question 26

what produces hormones?

Answer 26

endocrine glands

Question 27

how do hormones exert their influence on target cells

Answer 27

-by stimulating receptors on the surface of or inside cells

Question 28

what does the presence of a hormone do to a cell?

Answer 28

cause a physiological reaction in the cell, altering its’ activity

Question 29

why would biopsychologists argue that a certain human behaviours and physical
characteristics exist ?

Answer 29

exist because they are adaptive (aid survival)

Question 30

example of an adaptive behaviour

Answer 30

aggression:
-at some point aggression will have been advantageous for our ancestor
-may be because aggression could have created protection for the family

Question 31

natural selection

Answer 31

-animals with particular traits that provide them with an advantage are more likely to survive and reproduce,
passing on their ‘adaptive traits’ to their offspring
-those who adapt to their environment will reproduce and those that don’t will die out

Question 32

research methods used in the biological approach

Answer 32

-highly scientific in nature
-lab experiments and observations
-brain recording and scanning

Question 33

evaluations of the biological approach

Answer 33

-utilises reliable methods of research
-real-life application
-deterministic

Question 34

bio ao3: often utilises reliable
methods of research

Answer 34

P - a strength of the biological approach is that it often utilises reliable
methods of research

E - some research into genetics and neurochemistry requires precise scientific methodology, such as fMRIs, PET scans, drug trials, and EEGs
↳ these techniques provide psychologists with an accurate measure of internal processes that were previously not accessible

L -biological evidence is less susceptible to misinterpretation or experimenter bias

Question 35

bio ao3: real-life application

Answer 35

P - biological approach has real-life application

E - drug therapies have been developed for many mental illnesses based on research into neurotransmitters
↳ antidepressants work to increase serotonin levels in the brain, based on the understanding of how low levels of serotonin contribute to depressive symptoms

L - sufferers are able to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life

C - these drugs are not effective for all patients, while they have
revolutionised treatment for many, the fact that the medication does not always
work suggests that there may be another possible cause of mental illness, that is not biological

Question 36

bio ao3: biologically deterministic

Answer 36

P - the biological approach is that it is deterministic

E - states that human behaviour is governed by internal, biological
causes (such as genes) that we have no control over (biologically deterministic)
↳ good in potential real-life application such as in courts in helping to convict criminals (eg: criminal gene)
↳ it fails to discuss the act of free will and choosing NOT to commit criminal behaviour or being influenced by the environment eg: poverty making people commit crimes

L - reduces the credibility of the biological approach in fully explaining human behaviour