Biological Approach Flashcards
Name:
The assumptions of the biological approach
- Behaviour is influenced by the central nervous system, genes, and neurochemistry
- Behaviour is a product of evolution
Define:
Neurochemistry
- Substances naturally occuring in the brain
- enable signals to be transmitted
- imbalances associated with abnormal behaviour
Name:
Strengths of the biological approach
- Children can show in/extroverted behaviour from birth
- Introverts respond less to dopamine
Name:
Weaknesses of the biological approach
- Personality may be learned through reinforcement/punishment
Define:
Genotype
Genetic makeup of an individual
Define:
Phenotype
Observable characteristics
Define:
SRY Gene
Part of the Y chromosome that causes development of male characteristics
Name:
Strengths of the influence of genes
- Supports the idea of behaviour being a combination of nature + nurture
- E.G. BRCA1 gene associated with breast cancer - not all carriers will get cancer
Name:
Weaknesses of the influence of genes
- Some research oversimplifies the influence of genes
Name:
Neurotransmitters
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Adrenaline
Name:
Hormones
- Oxytocin
- Cortisol
- Testosterone
- Oestrogen
Serotonin
- controls and stabilises mood
Neurotransmitter
Dopamine
- Movement, memory, pleasurable reward, motiation
- increases muscle + heart contraction force
Neurotransmitter
Adrenaline
- Secreted by brain + adrenal glands
- Increases cardiac output
- Raises blood glucose levels
Neurotransmitter
Oxytocin
- Triggers labour and release of breast milk
- Helps move sperm
Hormone
Cortisol
- Made in adrenal glands
- Managed by pituitary gland
- Maintain blood pressure, immune function, anti-inflammatory processes
- Maintains energy levels
Hormone
Testosterone
- Development of male secondary sex characteristics
Hormone
Oestrogen
- Development of female secondary sex characteristics
- Regulates mensturation
Hormone
Define:
Neurotransmitter
Chemicals that carry messages across synapses in the brain
Define:
Hormone
- Chemicals secreted by glands
- travel through the body in the blood
- Create responses in organs
Define:
Central nervous system
- Made of brain + spinal cord
- Control perception, thought processes, motor function
Define:
Autonomic nervous system
- Part of motor nervous system
- Regulates involuntary processes
- “Fight or flight”
- Release adrenaline + cortisol
- Sympathetic + parasympathetic
Name:
The parts of the nervous system
- Central
- Peripheral
- Motor
- Autonomous
- sympathetic + parasympathetic
Define:
Peripheral nervous system
Nervous system in other parts of the body
Define:
Motor nervous system
- Controls movement
- Contains ANS
Define:
Neuroanatomy
The physical structure of the brain and nervous system
Name:
The areas of the brain
- Frontal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Occipital lobe
- Cerebellum
- Brain stem
Frontal lobe
- Voluntary movement
- Social skills
- Higher cognitive function
- Personality
Parietal lobe
- Sensory proccessing
- Mathematics + Language
Temporal lobe
- Processing sound
- Working memory
Occipital lobe
- Process vision
Cerebellum
- Muscle movement
- Balance + coordination
Brain stem
Vital functions for life
Define:
Lateralisation
The functions of the brain are split between left and right
Left hemisphere
- Control right side of body
- Analytical processes
- Speech and language
Right hemisphere
- Control left side of body
- Creativity
- Recognition of faces
- Spatial ability
Define:
Neuroplasticity
The ability for the brain to change and adapt as a result of experiences by making new connections
Strength of neuroanatomy
- Explains how we are able to learn
- Enables us to increase cognitive ability
- Explains how brain can recover from injury
Define:
Evolutionary psychology
How genes and behaviour have adapted over thousands of years
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Survival of the fittest
Individuals with the most suitable form or behavour survive within their enviroment and therefore reproduce
Define:
Fight, flight, or freeze
Psychological response to threats by fighting, running or freezing
Define:
Enviroment of evolutionary adaptation (EEA)
Habitat in which a species’ latest adaptations evolved
EEA of humans
10,000 years ago
Define:
Genome lag
Changes to the enviroment occur more rapidly than changes to genes
Sex differences in jealousy
- Pulse measured whilimagining emotional/sexual infidelity
- Men more distressed ny sexual infidelity
- Women more distressed by emotional infidelity
