Biological approach

Question 1

Physiology

Answer 1

The study of the body and its parts and how they function

Question 2

Purpose of biological approach

Answer 2

The biological approach combines psychology and biology to provide physiological explanations for human behaviour: how we think, feel and behave in terms of physical factors in the body

Question 3

Assumptions of biological approach

Answer 3

Everything psychological is at first biological
The approach investigates how biological structures and processes within the body impacts on behaviour.
Much of human behaviour has a physiological cause, which may be genetically or environmentally altered.

Question 4

Twin studies:

Answer 4

Psychologists are interested in studying twins in order to investigate the genetic basis of behaviour:
1. Monozygotic
2. Dizygotic

Question 5

Monozygotic

Answer 5

One zygote - these twins are formed when a fertilised cell splits into two and forms two separate embryos

Question 6

Dizygotic-

Answer 6

Two zygotes: these twins are formed when two separate eggs become fertilised by different sperm cells

Question 7

Concordance rates

Answer 7

Agreement between(refers to the extent to which a pair of twins share similar traits of characteristics)

Question 8

Concordance rates in MZ and DX twins

Answer 8

There should be 100% concordance rates between MZ twins if a particular characteristic/trait is a genetic one, but DZ twins will show lower concordance rates.

Question 9

Family studies

Answer 9

Galton agreed any resemblance between family relatives could be a result of both genes and shared environment.
However, with alcoholism for example. there’s a suggestion of a biological predisposition to the addiction(more likely to develop this addiction).

Question 10

Adoption studies

Answer 10

These studies involve comparing a trait or characteristic between adopted children and their biological or adoptive parents

Question 11

Selective breeding

Answer 11

This method involves artificially selecting male and female animals for a particular trait.
These animals are then put together in order to breed and produce offspring.
Selective breeding has been used to demonstrate how a number of behavioural characteristics may have a genetic basis e.g. ‘maze bright’ rats

Question 12

Genes

Answer 12

The basic units of heredity

Question 13

How do genes function

Answer 13

Genes function in pairs, and the recombination of genes from parents to offspring provides the basis for genetic variability

Question 14

Phenotype

Answer 14

Observable characteristics of an individual - depending on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors

Question 15

Genotype

Answer 15

The potential for characteristics, determined by genes

Question 16

Example of recessive gene

Answer 16

Gene for blue eyes

Question 17

Example of dominant gene

Answer 17

Gene for brown eyes

Question 18

Heterozygous

Answer 18

The genotype consists of two different genes

Question 19

Homozygous

Answer 19

The genotype consists of two genes that are the same

Question 20

Evolution

Answer 20

The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations

Question 21

Two main concepts by Charles Darwin in evolutionary theory:

Answer 21

Natural selection
Sexual selection

Question 22

Natural selection

Answer 22

Animals with particular traits that provide them with an advantage are more likely to survive and reproduce, thereby passing on their ‘adaptive traits’ to their offspring.
These behaviours need to adapt to the environment the animal’s living in, depending on three principles:
1. Principle of diversity
2. Principle of interaction
3. Principle of differential amplication

Question 23

Principle of diversity

Answer 23

Variety within a species

Question 24

Principle of interaction

Answer 24

How this variety of species adapt and fit in with the environment

Question 25

Principle of differential amplification

Answer 25

Those who adapt to their environment will reproduce and those that don’t will die out

Question 26

Sexual selection

Answer 26

Males have an abundance of sperm and can reproduce with as many females as they want.
Females are limited by the amount of eggs produced, and that she has to carry the baby for 9 months, and then raise the baby until the age of 18.
Females therefore will be more particular about who fathers their children due to the investment they have to make.

Question 27

If identical twins have a higher concordance rate for characteristics than non-identical twins, why does this suggest a genetic basis for that characteristic?

Answer 27

Identical twins share the same genes, but not the same phenotypes

Question 28

Biological reason - higher concordance rate between mothers and daughters

Answer 28

Hormones
Chromosome pairs
Egg cells

Question 29

Non-biological reason for higher concordance rates between mothers and daughters

Answer 29

Bad habits
Learning behaviour

Question 30

Research methods

Answer 30

1. The biological approach draws on concepts from the hard sciences and research tends to be highly scientific in nature.
2. The most common methods include laboratory experiments and observations.
3. Objective brain recording and scanning techniques were also used

Question 31

Brain scans

Answer 31

1. PET scans
2. CAT scans
3. MRI
4. fMRI
5. SQUID magnetometry

Question 32

PET scans

Answer 32

Positron emission tomography - shows which patterns of the brain are active during a task

Question 33

CAT scans

Answer 33

Detects damaged parts of the brain, tumours and blood clots

Question 34

MRI

Answer 34

Detects small tumours and provide detailed information about structure

Question 35

fMRI

Answer 35

structural and functional information

Question 36

SQUID magnetometry

Answer 36

Produces accurate images of brain activity by measuring the magnetic fields generated when neurones are activated

Question 37

Strengths of biological approach

Answer 37

It’s a scientific approach(e.g. fMRIs lead to highly reliable data)
Scientific approach leads credence to study of psychology(as a respectable science)
Impact of biology on behaviour can lead to treatment and intervention to those suffering e.g. anti-depressants
Understanding how an abnormal brain works can shed light on normal brain functioning