Biological approach

Question 1

What is the biological approach?

Answer 1

A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes such as genetic inheritance and neural function

Question 2

What does the biological approach suggest?

Answer 2

That everything psychological is first biological, and behaviours are inherited in the same was as physical characteristics (eg. height)

Question 3

What is neurochemistry?

Answer 3

Refers to the action of chemicals in the brain

Question 4

What is the neurochemical basis of behaviour?

Answer 4

That our thoughts and behaviours rely on chemical transmissions in the brain - this occurs using neurotransmitters

Question 5

An imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain is a possible cause of mental disorders. Give examples

Answer 5

Low levels of serotonin causes OCD and overproduction of dopamine causes schizophrenia

Question 6

What are twin studies used for in this approach?

Answer 6

To investigate whether certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis. This is done by analysing concordance rates

Question 7

What are concordance rates?

Answer 7

The extent to which twins share the same characteristics

Question 8

What is the scientific name for identical twins, and what percent of genes do they share?

Answer 8

Monozygotic, and they share 100% of the same genes

Question 9

What is the scientific name for non-identical twins, and what percent of genes do they share?

Answer 9

Dizygotic, and they share about 50% of the same genes

Question 10

What is a genotype?

Answer 10

A persons actual genetic make-up

Question 11

What is a phenotype?

Answer 11

The way the genes are expressed through the physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics

Question 12

Because identical twins have the same genotype, they also have the same phenotype. True or false?

Answer 12

False, despite having the same genes, the way the twin’s genes are expressed is different

Question 13

What is natural selection?

Answer 13

The gradual process by which nature selects the forms most fit to survive and reproduce in a given environment. When they reproduce, the beneficial genetics that enhances survival will be passed on to offspring onto future generations

Question 14

Give 2 strengths of the biological approach

Answer 14

1. Real world application - understanding neurochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of drugs used to treat depression, meaning people suffering can manage their condition and live in the community rather than in hospital
2. Scientific methods - uses a range of precise and highly objective methods, and technology (eg. MRI) makes it easy to accurately measure physiological and neural processes without bias

Question 15

Give 2 weaknesses of the biological approach

Answer 15

1. Real world application - antidepressant drugs do not work for everyone
2. Biological determinism - this approach is seen as too simplistic and ignores the effects of the environment. A purely genetic explanation for behaviour becomes more questionable when looking at severe times - can violent crimes be excused by claiming their behaviour was controlled by a ‘crime gene’?