biological approach Flashcards
key assumptions
-there’s a direct correlation between brain activity and cognition
-genetics, brain physiology and biochemical imbalances all effect behaviour
-all thoughts and feelings have a physical basis
-the brain and the mind are one entity
brain psychologists are interested in:
-what part evolution plays in our behaviour
-the genetic basis for behaviour
-the role that brain structure plays in behaviour
-the influence of neurochemistry and hormones play in behaviour
explain the key assumption that behaviour is influences by genetics
-look for mates with optimal physical and psychological characteristics so we can have healthy offspring
what is the evolutionary perspective
-part of the key assumption behaviour is influenced by genetics
-central proposition is that the genotype of a population can change and this is dependant on natural selection
heredity
the passing down of physical and mental characteristics through genes
heritability
how likely a trait is going to be passed down
best way to study the heritability of a trait
identical twins raised apart
What is Mz
monozygotic twins (identical)
what’s the concordance rate
the percentage of a group of pairs of people that share the same trait/ similarity
what is Dz
Dizygotic twins (non-identical)
what do concordance rates show us
the likelihood of influence of genes/ environment
the brain (key facts)
-85% of brain is comprised of cerebrum
-cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres
-the outer layer of cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex
the nervous system (key facts)
-primary internal communication system
-collect, process and responds to info from environment
-coordinates working of organs and cells in body
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers which are released from the ends of neurons
-travel across the synapse to reach next neurone
example of imbalances in neurotransmitters
-high dopamine= schizophrenia
-low serotonin= OCD
hormones
chemicals produced by endocrine glands which travel throgh blood stream to target cells and respond to brain signals
example of imbalance in hormones
-high testosterone may mean risk taking behaviour and aggression
-high adrenaline prepares body for stress by triggering the flight or fight response
strength of biological approach (scientific)
-uses scientific methods to investigate effects of biological processes
-e.g. brain scans and lab experiments
-means data is objective- reliable and good internal validity
-however may lack ecological validity
strength of biological approach (applications)
-has practical applications
-e.g. theories of approach lead to development of successful drug treatments
-strength bc it allows people to be free from distressing symptoms
-however not effective for all- some may benefit and other may not
weakness of approach (determinism)
-sees human behaviour as governed by biological causes which we have no control over
-causes issues in criminal justice system
-remove feelings of blame
-give us cause and effect
-pessimistic (no free will)
-disproved by therapy
weakness of approach (reductionism)
-reduces everything down to one factor
-easy to treat as produce effective practical treatments
-miss other important factors (e.g. environment)
-e.g. agression is testosterone not role models (SLT)
