Biological Approach Flashcards
What is the first assumption of the biological approach?
Everything psychological is first biological
According to the biological approach, what must we examine to understand behavior?
Biological structure and processes
Where does the mind reside according to the biological approach?
In the brain
What do thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have?
A physical basis
What does neurochemistry refer to?
Action of chemicals in the brain
What relies on chemical transmission in the brain?
Thought and behavior
What are chemicals transmitted by?
Neurotransmitters
How can chemical imbalances relate to mental disorders?
They can cause mental disorders
Lower levels of which neurotransmitter are associated with OCD?
Serotonin
Overproduction of which neurotransmitter is linked to schizophrenia?
Dopamine
How are psychological characteristics inherited?
In the same way as height or eye color
What research method is used to investigate genetic characteristics?
Twin studies
What are concordance rates?
The extent to which twins share the same characteristic
If a characteristic is genetic, what do we expect from identical twins (monozygotic)?
They will be concordant
Share 100% of the same genes
What percentage of genes do non-identical twins (dizygotic) share?
50%
Define genotype.
Their genetic makeup
Define phenotype.
The way that genes are expressed through physical, behavioral, and psychological characteristics
Do identical twins have the same genotype?
Yes but may have a different phenotype
What theory did Charles Darwin propose?
Theory of natural selection
What happens to genetically determined traits that enhance survival or reproduction?
They will continue in future generations
What gives certain animals advantages in survival?
Genetically determined traits
List one strength of the biological approach.
Real world application
* Understanding neurochemical processes allows for drug development
* eg: depression
How do antidepressants help individuals with depression?
They increase serotonin levels at the synapses in the brain
What is one limitation of the biological approach?
Antidepressants do not work for everyone
* Effectiveness of antidepressants is mainly modest according to researchers
* Suggests that brain chemistry alone cannot account for all cases of depression
Why is the biological approach being based on scientific methods a strength?
- Uses fMRI scans and EEGs
- Can accurately measure physiological and neural processes without bias
- Based on objective and reliable data
What’s another limitation of the biological approach?
- Suggests that human behaviour is internal and genetic
- It doesnt acknowledge that phenotypes can be influenced by the environment
- Would mean that criminals have no responsibility for their behaviour
