Biological Approach Flashcards
What are the assumptions of the biological approach (2)
Humans are biological beings so behaviour should be explained in reference to biology.
Biological structures, Neurochemistry, genetics and evolution are all differnet aspects of biology that influence human behaviour
What are examples of the influence of biological structures on behaviour
The Endocrine system (the largest biological structure) is a body wide system of glands and each gland releases chemicals called hormones
What is an example of a gland that influences behvaviour
The adrenal gland. Activates a flight or fight response
When the brain detects a threat it instructs the adrenal gland to secrete adrenaline which travels through the body via the bloodstream
The effects of it include:Increased blood flow to the brain and muscles whilst decreasing blood flow to digestion and surface skin
What is an example of a sexual hormone in men that affect behaviour
Testosterone is linked to higher levels of aggression
What are the 3 parts of the brain needed to be learnt
Brain stem-Controls core physiological functions including heart rate and breathing
Cerebellum-involved in coordinating muscle movement and balance
Cerebrum-Has two hemispheres connected by a bundle of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum
Name the 4 lobes in the brain
Frontal-Controls the rational decision making
Occipital- Controls visual perception
Parietal-Recieves sensory information
Temporal- Recives auditory information
What are the 3 things in the Limbatic system
Thalamus
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Define localisation of function
The idea that specific brain areas are responsible for certain functions
What is the Limbatic system
It controls the emotional centre of the brain
What does the brains biological structure consists of
Nerve cells and neurons through which information travels electronically
The neurons have gaps called synapses which convert electrical signals into a chemical signal
What is the synaptic cleft
The gap between neurons
What are action potentials
a type of electrical signal that reaches the axon terminal triggering the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft
These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the post synpatic neuron.
What happens when neurotransmitters bind to recpetors
they can increase the likelihood of a new action potential or inhibitory making an electric charge less likely
What are some of the roles neurotransmitters have on the body
the release of serotonin dopamine noraadrenaline and guatamate
Serotonin-associated with well being and happiness
Dopamine is the bodies reward system and is linked to pleasure and it can be affcted ny substances like cocaine
Noraadrenaline is related to attention
glutamate is key for learming and memory
What is a practical application of neurotransmmitters
The development of drug therapies such as SSRIs(Selected Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are used to treat deprrssion and OCD. They work by targetting serotonin and preventing its reabsorbtion into the presynaptic cell enhanicing its activity in the syunaptic celeft influecing behavior and improving mood
What is a stufy that proves the practial application of neuro transitters
A meta analysis by Soomro combined te data of 17 studies involovng 3097 ppts and it has shown that SSRIs signifcantly reduced OCD symptoms compaed to placebos.This not only confirms the effectivness of SSRIs but alsosupports the idea that neurochemitsry plays a crucial role in influcening behaviour
How can genes influence behaviour
Genes act as the instrcytions or blueprint for making the components of an organism.
One example of a genetic basis to behaviour is the SERT gene; thus part of the genetic code influecies serotonin transport and had been associated with the development of OCD
What is a geneotype
The genetic codes in the DNA for the charctristics of an organism
What is a pheenotype
The physical expressions of the genotype
What do biological physoclogusts argye about genotypes
That therre are genotypes that influce behavioun rand he phenotype is the exprerssion of the beaviour t e.g. neing agressive
How do psychoogists study the gentic inheritance of behaviour
By using concorcdane rates
Concordance rate-the probability that a person will hsve z disorderif a relative does
What does a higher concordance rate usggest
That they will ikely also get the disorder an example of thsi is that the genral [opulaion of 2% have OCD and firts degree relatives have a 10% chance and unidentical twins have a 31% chnace whilst identical twins have a 68% chance thius suggests that genes do have a role to play in influecing behaviour
What is diathesis stress
(disagrees with biological approach)
Diathesis referee to a predisposition or vulnerability to developing a mental disorder which can be due to genetic factors
Stress refers to the environmental factors that trigger a mental illness
disagrees with biological approach as it shows that a traumatic event or adult drug use (stressor) is required for the mental illness to activate
What is evolution and behaviour
Darwin’s theory of natural selection that argues that organisms with traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more likely to pass these advantageous characteristics to their offspring.
Overtime these adaptive traits become more common to the population
Why do evolutionary psychologists suggest that male aggression was necceary in the oldern days
Male aggression was beneficial for protecting families, hunting and competing for mates therefore they were more desireable so this may be a reason why males are more aggressive than females
What is a benefit to the biological approach
It’s practical applications:Drug therapies help treat schizophrenia OCED and depression through the use of SSRIs these help millions of people helping them achieve better lives and contributing to the economy by returning to work
What is a benefit to the biological approach
It’s practical applications:Drug therapies help treat schizophrenia OCED and depression through the use of SSRIs these help millions of people helping them achieve better lives and contributing to the economy by returning to work
Why is the biological approach seen as scientific
Advanced tools such as fMRI scans,genetic analysis and direct measurements of hormone and neurotransmitters offer direct observation and highly controlled studies providing more objective data than self reports
