Biological approach

Question 1

Define the biological approach.

Answer 1

Explains human behavior through biological factors; genes, biological structures, neurochemistry, and evolution

Question 2

What are the 3 key assumptions?

Answer 2

-Psychological characteristics are first biological so have biological root causes
-Look at biological structures and processes in the body to understand behavior
-The mind lives in the brain, all thoughts, feelings, and behavior have a physical basis

Question 3

What is the genetic basis of behavior?
give an example

Answer 3

That behavioural characteristics are inherited in the same way physical characteristics are
eg, sert gene linked to OCD

Question 4

What are concordance rates?

Answer 4

% of shared characteristics

Question 5

What are monozygotic twins?
and what percentage of DNA do they share

Answer 5

Identical twins with one zygote
Share 100% DNA

Question 6

What are dizygotic twins?
and what percentage of DNA do they share

Answer 6

Non-identical twins with 2 zygotes
Share 50% DNA

Question 7

How are the twin studies used to investigate the genetic basis of behavior?

Answer 7

-Conc rates are calculated between twins for the probability that they share the same disease
-68% of monozygotic twins will have both have ocd if one does
31% of dizygotic twins will have both have ocd if one does

Question 8

Give a specific example of a twin study that has shown that genetics play a role in behavior

Answer 8

Criminal beh -Christiansen 1977
-looked at concordance rates for criminal behavior
-separated by behavior

Question 9

What are the results of Christiansen’s 1977 study?
what does it show

Answer 9

Males: MZ,35% - DZ,13%
Females: MZ, 21% - DZ,8%
-Genetics are partially responsible for our behavior as concordance rates are higher in MZ than DZ
-Shows nurture plays a role as the results aren’t 100 percent for the MZ twins or 50 percent for the DZ twins

Question 10

What is a genotype?

Answer 10

The actual genes a person possesses

Question 11

What is a phenotype?

Answer 11

The expression of these genes through physical, psychological, and behavioral characteristics

Question 12

What is neuroanatomy?

Answer 12

How different brain structures affect our behavior.
Different areas are responsible for different behaviors

Question 13

What does neuroanatomy use?

Answer 13

Brain scanning techniques like FMRI

Question 14

What are the 2 examples of neuroanatomy?

Answer 14

Language- Broca’s area responsible for speech production
Wernick area controls comprehension of speech

OCD- abnormal functioning of frontal lobs, linked to hoarding disorder
(deficits in decision-making)

Question 15

What case study is used for neuroanatomy?

Answer 15

Phineas Gage

Question 16

How does the case study of Phineas Gage support the role of neuroanatomy on behavior?

Answer 16

-Rod through frontal lobes
-Post recovery, personality change
-Was hardworking now a drinker and doesnt like to socialize
-Had damage on left pre-frontal cortices
-they’re responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation

BUT may not support as he may have had personality change from PTSD