Biological approach Flashcards
everything psychological…
at first is biological
does is believe behaviour is learnt from environment?
No
what must you do to understand behaviour?
look at biological structures, processes and functions in the body.
how does it contrast the cognitive approach?
because it believes mind lives in brain so all thoughts etc ultimately have a physical basis e.g. anger, love. Whereas cognitive sees mental processes of mind as separate from physical brain
what is genotype?
genetic makeup of a person (genes they have). This can’t be changed.
what is phenotype?
physical characteristics of an individual determined by genes and the environment. They are observable traits and can be changed.
what do twins show us?
despite having same genes, in identical twins genes are expressed differently in the phenotype. Suggests human behaviour depends on interaction with inherited factors (nature) and environmental (nurture).
what is Charles Darwin’s proposed theory?
theory of natural selection to explain evolution.
explain Charles Darwin theory?
theory’s main point= any genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival for individual will continue in future generations. Takes place naturally because some traits give advantages so possessor is more likely to survive and reproduce (so therefore pass on traits)
give examples of traits which have continued through natural selection.
in older times:
aggression- fight off predators
memory- recall location of food sources
language- to communicate with tribe members
what is adaptive behaviour?
those which increase survival and reproduction (adaptive genes will be inherited)
what is maladaptive?
‘weaker genes’ that die out
what is neurochemistry?
action of chemicals in the brain. Our thoughts and behaviours relies on these chemical transmissions in the brain (neurotransmitters)
examples of where imbalance of neurochemicals in brain has affected behaviours/cause mental illness?
- low levels of neurotransmitter serotonin= linked to OCD
- overproduction of dopamine= links to schizophrenia.
genetic basis of behaviour
psychological characteristics e.g. intelligence are inherited in same way as eye colour, height etc.
how do twin studies help with the genetic basis of behaviour investigation?
- twin studies are used to investigate whether psychological characteristics have a genetic basis.
–> concordance rates are analysed to extent the twins share a characteristic - if characteristic is genetic= then you’d expect a 100% concordance rate with MZ twins as they share same genes
- BUT DZ twins only share 50% of same genes so it wouldn’t be true.
- both cases environments controlled
what are adoption studies?
- used to know + separate environmental + genetic influence
- MZ twins are put in different environments
- if both twins show different behaviour= environmental
- if both twins don’t show same behaviour= genetic
issues with adoption studies?
- unethical to separate twins
- MZ twins are rare and hard to find
eval- point 1
scientific methods- objective methods to investigate genes. e.g. fMRIs which is advanced technology= accurate + not bias measure= reliable data
eval- point 2
biological determinism- sees human behaviour as governed by internal, genetic causes (we have no control)
PROBLEMS:
- how can this be true as already seen effect of environment on how genotype is expressed in phenotype (even applies for MZ twins who share same genes)
- purely genetic argument= problematic in crime, could claim an action was only due to genes.
- this means the approach is too simplistic + ignored mediating factors in environment
eval- point 3
real world application
- increased knowledge of neurochemicals= associated with drugs for treatment of mental disorders e.g. antidepressants increase levels of serotonin at synapses in brain to reduce symptoms of depression
BUT
this doesn’t work for all patients:
- Adrea Ciprian et al study- compared 21 antidepressants + found variations in their effectiveness= suggests human brain alone doesn’t account for all cases of depression.
- family history= can now be used as a predictor of individuals disease risk due to genotype
eval- point 4
natural selection can’t be falsified as it can’t show it’s happening, can only assume
BUT fossil records provide some proof of dinosaurs changing into birds
eval- point 5
behaviours which have no advantage in 21st century remain e.. aggression= unnecessary + can lead to criminal acts etc.
eval- point 6
REDUCTIONIST
