Biological approach

Question 1

Define the biological approach

Answer 1

An approach in psychology that suggests behaviour is determined by biological factors and emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body

Question 2

What are the 4 biological factors?

Answer 2

-The influence of genes on behaviour
-The influence of biological structures on behaviour
-The influence of neurochemistry on behaviour
-The influence of evolution on behaviour

Question 3

What are the three assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 3

1. Everything is at first biological, so every psychological characteristic has a biological root cause
2. We must look at biological structures and processes within the body to understand behaviour
3. The mind lives in the brain so all thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a physical basis

Question 4

What is meant by the genetic basis of behaviour?

Answer 4

Behavioural characteristics are inherited in the same way physical characteristics are

An example of this is intelligence

Question 5

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

Answer 5

-Concordance rates between twins are calculated
-Higher concordance rates amongst Monozygotic twins than Dizygotic twins evidence for a genetic basis
-Compare the two to negate influence of environment
-68% of MZ twins have OCD compared to 31% of DZ

Question 6

What is meant by concordance rate?

Answer 6

Percentage agreement/level of shared characteristics

Question 7

What are the psychological terms for identical and non-identical twins?

Answer 7

Identical= monozygotic
Non-identical= dizygotic

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Christiansen in 1977 studied 3586 pairs of twins in Denmark

He looked at concordance rates for criminal behvaiour in males and females and found:
Males: MZ= 35% DZ= 13%
Females: MZ= 21% DZ= 8%

Question 9

What is meant by genotype?

Answer 9

The actual genes a person possesses

Question 10

What is meant by phenotype?

Answer 10

The expression of those genes through physical, psychological and behavioural characteristics

Question 11

What is meant by neuroatonomy?

Answer 11

How our brain structures and parts of our brain affects behaviour

An example of this is how Broca’s area controls the production of speech and Wernicke’s area controls comprehension of speech

Question 12

How does the case of Pineas Gage support the role of neuroanatomy on behaviour?

Answer 12

The part of his brain that was damaged by the metal rod causes personality change

Question 13

What is neurochemistry?

Answer 13

How our brain chemicals affect our behaviour

Examples are that low serotonin is linked to depression

Question 14

Define evolution

Answer 14

The changes in characteristics that are inherited over several generations

Question 15

Define natural selection

Answer 15

Any biological characteristic that gives an individual an adaptive advantage is more likely to be successfuly passed on through reproduction- that characteristic was naturally selected

Question 16

Give an example of evolution and how a certain characteristic has been developed through the process

Answer 16

Phobias have been passed on so we know how to protect ourselves from potential dangers so survival chances are increased

Question 17

How is the biological approach scientific?

Answer 17

Use of precise, scientific methods such as twin studies increases internal validity of findings

Question 18

How does the biological approach have real-life application?

Answer 18

There is treatment for those suffering, for example SSRIs increasing serotonin levels for depression

Question 19

How is the biological approach deterministic?

Answer 19

All behaviourism is determined by physiological and genetic makeup. Individuals cannot be held responsible for actions

Question 20

What is a potential difficulty with using twin studies to evidence a genetic basis to behaviour?

Answer 20

It is reductionist, meaning all human behaviour is explained through biological processes only

Question 21

What is the issue of cause and effect in the biological approach?

Answer 21

Cannot assume brain abnormaility is a direct cause of mental illness as abnormality may have developed onset of the illness