biological approach

Question 1

define the biological approach

Answer 1

approach that suggests behaviour is determined by 4 biological factors; genes, biological structures, neurochemistry and evolution.

Question 2

how is the biological approach similar to cognitive approach?

Answer 2

want to be scientific
link to cognitive neuroscience!

Question 3

what are the 3 assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 3

-every psychological characteristic has a biological root cause
-we must look at biological structures and processes within the body to understand behaviour
-the mind lives in the brain (are the same thing) so all thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a physical basis

Question 4

what is the genetic basis of behaviour?

Answer 4

behavioural characteristics are inherited the same way as physical characteristics

Question 5

what is a specific example to support the genetic basis of behaviour?

Answer 5

a mutation in the SERT gene has been linked to OCD

Question 6

what is an important thing to remember about the role of genes on behaviour?

Answer 6

genes pre-dispose (increase likelihood of developing) us to behaviour, they don’t make certain characteristics INEVITABLE

Question 7

what is used to study the genetic basis of behaviour and how does this work?

Answer 7

twin studies- concordance rates between twins are calculated

Question 8

what are concordance rates?

Answer 8

percentage of shared characteristics/ agreement

Question 9

what is our evidence for genetic basis of behaviour? Give a specific example?

Answer 9

higher concordance rates between Monozygotic twins (share 100% DNA) than Dizygotic twins (share 50% of DNA)

68% of MZ twins have OCD compared with 31% of DZ

Question 10

what is a limitation of twin studies?

Answer 10

confounding variables- in identical twins there is the CV of nurture, if they look the same they are likely treated the same so higher concordance rates could be due to this not genes.

we have to look at adoption studies to overcome this limitation.

Question 11

what is genotype?

Answer 11

the genetic make-up (actual genes someone posesses)

Question 12

what is phenotype?

Answer 12

the expression of genes through physical, psychological and behavioural characteristics

Question 13

what is phenotype determined by?

Answer 13

the interaction of genes and environmental factors

Question 14

what does phenotype and genotype demonstrate?

Answer 14

how much of human behaviour is a result of an interaction of nature and nurture

Question 15

what is an example of twin studies for crimanal behaviour?

Answer 15

Christiansen 1977 studied 3500 pairs of twins in Denmark

looked at concordance rates for criminal behaviour for males and females MZ and DZ- in both genders, MZ higher concordance rates than DZ

the MAOA gene and CDH-13 gene are thought to pre-dispose criminal behaviour (13X more likely with a mutation of these genes)

Question 16

what is neuroanatomy?

Answer 16

studying how different brain structures affect behaviour

the brain is divided into different areas and structures all responsible for different types of thinking or behaviour

Question 17

what does research for brain anatomy involve?

Answer 17

using brain scanning technology and studying brain damaged patients

Question 18

what are 2 examples for neuroanatomy?

Answer 18

1. language; governed by two areas; Broca’s (speech production) and Wernicke’s area (speech comprehension)
2. OCD; abnormal functioning if the frontal lobes (linked to emotional regulation and decision making) may be linked to hoarding disorder as causes deficits in decision making

Question 19

how does the case of Phineas Gage support neuroanatomy?

Answer 19

the brain structures which were damaged are the sections which caused change in his behaviour

after accident he became irritable and lacked social inhibition- he had damage to the left pre-frontal cortex responsible for emotion regulation and decision making!

Question 20

what is neurochemistry?

Answer 20

how chemicals in the brain influence behaviour

Question 21

what are brain chemicals called and how can these link to mental disorders?

Answer 21

neurotransmitters

abnormal functioning of these may include too much, too little or poor re-absorption in the synapses

Question 22

how can neurotransmitters be linked to behaviour and development of psychological disorders (examples)?

Answer 22

too little serotonin linked too depression
too much dopamine linked to schizophrenia

Question 23

what is evolution?

Answer 23

change in characteristics that are inherited over several generations

Question 24

what is natural selection?

Answer 24

the process by which any biological characteristic which gives an individual an adaptive advantage are successfully passed on through reproduction over generations.

Question 25

what is an adaptive advantage?

Answer 25

something that increases chances of survival or gives advantage over competition to reproduce

Question 26

how has memory has been evolved?

Answer 26

some individuals randomly have better memory than others

gives these an adaptive advantage as they can remember where food is and which berries are poisonous

those with better memory more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on the better memory to next generation

over generations the species gets a better memory as those with poorer memory cannot survive and reproduce.

Question 27

explain how phobias have evolved?

Answer 27

some people are quicker at identifying spiders and running away

gives these people an adaptive advantage over those who don’t have this characteristic

only those scared of spiders will survive and reproduce

pass on the scared of spider genes so phobia evolves

Question 28

what are 2 strengths of the biological approach?

Answer 28

-scientific
-real life application

Question 29

what are 4 limitations of the biological approach?

Answer 29

-deterministic
-reductionist
-cause and effect
-confounding variables involved

Question 30

how is the biological approach scientific?

Answer 30

uses precise scientific methods e.g. scanning techniques, twin studies and drug trials

this increases the internal validity of the findings

means biological approach is a credible approach and useful for explaining behaviour

Question 31

how real-life application a strength of the biological approach?

Answer 31

understanding neurochemistry has led to treatment for those suffering e.g. SSRIs increasing serotonin levels for depression

OR

twin studies Denmark 1977

approach therefore is useful and credible as applied to real life

Question 32

how is the biological approach deterministic?

Answer 32

states we have no control over behaviour because behaviour is all determined by genetic makeup, individuals cannot be held responsible for actions.

means approach not well liked because humans like to think they have some sort of free-will

approach won’t be perceived as useful for explaining behavuiour.

Question 33

how is the biological approach reductionist?

Answer 33

all human behaviour explained through biological processes
oversimplifies behaviours

e.g. Phinneas Cage neuroanatomy- behaviour change might have been just due to PTSD not due to damage to specific area of brain

incomplete explanation for behaviour

Question 34

why is cause and effect a limitation of the biological approach?

Answer 34

we can’t assume brain abnormality is the direct cause of mental illness as abnormality may have development after the illness

e.g. low serotonin might not directly cause depression, the development of depression may result in low serotonin

Question 35

how are confounding variables a limitation for the biological approach?

Answer 35

confounding variables- in identical twins there is the CV of nurture, if they look the same they are likely treated the same so higher concordance rates could be due to this not genes.

we have to look at adoption studies to overcome this limitation.