biological approach

Question 1

key assumptions

Answer 1

-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

Question 2

brain psychologists are interested in:

Answer 2

-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

Question 3

explain the key assumption that behaviour is influences by genetics

Answer 3

-look for mates with optimal physical and psychological characteristics so we can have healthy offspring

Question 4

what is the evolutionary perspective

Answer 4

-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

Question 5

heredity

Answer 5

the passing down of physical and mental characteristics through genes

Question 6

heritability

Answer 6

how likely a trait is going to be passed down

Question 7

best way to study the heritability of a trait

Answer 7

identical twins raised apart

Question 8

What is Mz

Answer 8

monozygotic twins (identical)

Question 9

what’s the concordance rate

Answer 9

the percentage of a group of pairs of people that share the same trait/ similarity

Question 10

what is Dz

Answer 10

Dizygotic twins (non-identical)

Question 11

what do concordance rates show us

Answer 11

the likelihood of influence of genes/ environment

Question 12

the brain (key facts)

Answer 12

-85% of brain is comprised of cerebrum
-cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres
-the outer layer of cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex

Question 13

the nervous system (key facts)

Answer 13

-primary internal communication system
-collect, process and responds to info from environment
-coordinates working of organs and cells in body

Question 14

neurotransmitters

Answer 14

chemical messengers which are released from the ends of neurons
-travel across the synapse to reach next neurone

Question 15

example of imbalances in neurotransmitters

Answer 15

-high dopamine= schizophrenia
-low serotonin= OCD

Question 16

hormones

Answer 16

chemicals produced by endocrine glands which travel throgh blood stream to target cells and respond to brain signals

Question 17

example of imbalance in hormones

Answer 17

-high testosterone may mean risk taking behaviour and aggression
-high adrenaline prepares body for stress by triggering the flight or fight response

Question 18

strength of biological approach (scientific)

Answer 18

-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

Question 19

strength of biological approach (applications)

Answer 19

-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

Question 20

weakness of approach (determinism)

Answer 20

-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

Question 21

weakness of approach (reductionism)

Answer 21

-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)