~Biological approach

Question 1

The biological area assumes that…

Answer 1

behaviour can be largely explained in terms of biology (e.g genes/hormones/brain structures) It assumes that psychology should study the brain, nervous system and various biological systems in an attempt to explain behaviour.

Question 2

what is psychological is first biological

Answer 2

the mind appears to reside in the brain, all thoughts, feelings and behaviours ultimately have a biological cause.

Question 3

according to the biological approach…

Answer 3

psychology should be seen as a science, to be studied in a scientific manner (usually in a lab) measuring variables objectively (using physiological measures such as MRI scans etc…)

Question 4

This area explores…

Answer 4

human behaviour and experience by looking at people as if they are biological machines. This idea has some value as it is clear our biology affects our behaviour and experience.
(simply, we know certain things such as alcohol and nicotine will affect the way we see the world and how be behave)
Damage to the brain and nervous system can have an affect on behaviour and experience.

Question 5

2 main themes of biological psychology

Answer 5

structure of the nervous system and the action of chemicals.

Question 6

key theme: Regions of the brain

Answer 6

Sperry (1968) classic study
Casey et al (2011) contemporary study

Question 7

key theme: Brain plasticity

Answer 7

Blakemore and Cooper (1970) classic study
Maguire et al (2000) contemporary study

Question 8

Assumption 1- behaviour comes from the nervous system

Answer 8

assumes behaviour is controlled by the nervous system (specifically the brain) and neurones and neurotransmitters

Question 9

neurones

Answer 9

cells of nervous system responsible for carrying messages from one part of body to another.

Question 10

neurotransmitters

Answer 10

chemical messengers, increases and decreases in levels of neurotransmitters can affect the speed of message transmission.

Question 11

Depression

Answer 11

-linked to low levels of neurotransmitter serotonin
-affects around 15% of people at some point in their lifetime
-certain drugs such as reserpine used to treat high blood pressure lowers serotonin levels, possibly leads to depression as a side effect (lowered mood, disruption to activity levels)
-often treated with depressant drugs such as Prozac

Question 12

Schizophrenia

Answer 12

-linked to high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine (referred to as the dopamine hypothesis)
-affects around 1% of general population
-certain recreational drugs like cannabis and ecstacy increase levels of neurotransmitters dopamine in the brain- leads to schizophrenic symptoms
-research suggested long term drug users may be more likely to develop mental illnesses e.g schizophrenia
-one study stated people are 4.5x more likely to be schizophrenic at 26 if they were regular cannabis users at age 15.

Question 13

Assumption 2- Genetic factors influence behaviour

Answer 13

-Differences in cognition, emotion and behaviour are genetically controlled.
-Genes: influence our biological characteristics but this approach argues genes also influence psychological characteristics & behaviour.
-most psychological characteristics that have a genetic component depend on several genes interacting together, not single ones.
-certain traits & behaviours such as intelligence, aggression, criminality may be genetically inherited.
-If genes have an abnormality, malfunction or mutation this may cause changes in behaviour e.g downs syndrome.
-identical twins (monozygotic) have very similar genetic makeup (almost 100%)
-non-identical twins (dizygotic) have around 50% identical genetic makeup

Question 14

behavioural genetics

Answer 14

environmental factors alongside genetic ones influence behaviour. Certain environmental factors may cause genetic predispositions to disorders to be expressed, while a different set of environmental factors may cause a disorder to be suppressed.

Question 15

Strengths of the biological area

Answer 15

-Very scientific- can show psychology as a hard science, is more objective and reliable.
(Maguire used MRI scanner to image the brain)
-Useful- lots of practical applications that benefit society. e.g stroke victims and brain plasticity
(Maguire and Blakemore & Cooper)

Question 16

Weaknesses of the biological area

Answer 16

-Reductionist- reduces complex human behaviour down to simple biological explanations which can reduce validity.
(Casey said our ability to resist temptation is purely down to our brain activity)
-Low in ecological validity- because of research methods used, biological approach lacks ecological validity- we don’t know the impacts of the environment.
(Sperry carried out his study in a lab)
-Ignores nurture side of things.