Biological Approach Flashcards
What is an assumption?
An individuals genotype and phenotype will determine how we behave
What are the four features?
1) The influence of genes on behaviour
2) The influence of biological structures on behaviour
3) The influence of neurochemistry on behaviour
4) Evolution and behaviour
Feature 1: The role of genes on behaviour
The genetic explanation suggests behavioural characteristics such as intelligence, memory and mental illnesses are genetically inherited the same way as physical characteristics such as height and eye colour. Therefore behaviours run through families. The genetic explanation argues that OCD is due to the inheritance of one or more maladaptive genes e.g. SERT. The closer the genetic link to someone with OCD, increasing the risk of inheriting OCD. The genetic probability of sharing a behaviour is measured by concordance rates. in twin studies the concordance rate of monozygotic twins was 87% but 47% in dizygotic twins for OCD. Genotype is a specific set of genes that have been inherited from biological parents that is unique to them. This can have a genetic predisposition to disorders. The phenotype is how the genotype interacts with the environment. This is how genes are expresses through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics which are observable traits.
Feature 2: The role of brain structure on behaviour
Brain structures include organs such as the brain and systems such as the nervous/endocrine system. The brain is a biological structure that can influence behaviour. Abnormalities in size/shape/function can lead to abnormal behaviour. For example enlarged ventricles in the brain increasing the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia or faulty processing in the parahippocampul gyrus can lead to OCD.
Feature 3: The role of neurochemistry on behaviour
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that pass on information from one synapse to another to produce a behaviour. There are a range of neurotransmitters to communicate these messages, when there is an imbalance it leads to abnormal behaviour. For example an imbalance of serotonin is linked to OCD. Low levels of serotonin are associated with anxiety in OCD increasing obsessions and in turn compulsions to reduce this anxiety.
Feature 4: Evolution and behaviour
Charles Darwin created the theory of natural selection. This argues that any genetically determined behaviour that increases the chance of survival and reproduction (any beneficial traits) are passed on to future generations through offspring (reproductive success). This can explain behaviours such as aggression. Aggression at one point must have been advantageous in our ancestry. Aggression would have increased chance of survival and reproduction by gaining resources through hunting and therefore attracting mates (sexual selection). Therefore the aggressive behaviour has been naturally elected for and passed on. Research has shown a third of men have the warrior gene linked to aggressive behaviour.
What are four evaluation points?
1) Biological reductionism
2) Biological determinism
3) Practical applications
4) Scientific methods
AO3: Reductionism
The biological approach to explaining human behaviour can be criticised for biological reductionism. The biological approach reduces complex human behaviour into simple basic of genes/neurochemicals. This ignores a holistic approach which would explain how a persons social and cultural context would influence behaviour. Therefore the biblical approach to explaining human behaviour may lack validity as it doesn’t allow us to understand behaviour in context.
AO3: Determinism
The biological approach to explaining behaviour can be criticised for biological determinism. The approach that argues behaviour is due to internal factors such as genes and neurochemicals such as inheriting the PCM1 gene leading to schizophrenia. This neglects the role of free will and choice an individual has feeling like they have no choice of their behaviour. This limits the appropriateness of the biological approach to explaining behaviour.
AO3: Practical applications
The biological approach to explaining human behaviour can be praised for having practical applications. The principles of the theory that behaviour is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters has led to the development of SSRIs. This treatment is used to treat individuals with disorders such as OCD and depression by increasing serotonin levels and blocking the reuptake of serotonin leading to decreased anxiety. The biological approach to explaining human behaviour is an important part of applied psychology.
AO3: Scientific methods
The biological approach to explaining human behaviour uses scientific method so it has enquiry to investigating human behaviour. It is based on objective and empirical techniques such as brain scans and gene mapping to identify the locations of different types of long term memory. Therefore this could increase the internal validity of the biological approach to explaining human behaviour and raising Pyschology’s Scientific status.
