Biological Approach

Question 1

What is the first assumption of the biological approach?

Answer 1

Everything psychological is first biological

Question 2

According to the biological approach, what must we examine to understand behavior?

Answer 2

Biological structure and processes

Question 3

Where does the mind reside according to the biological approach?

Answer 3

In the brain

Question 4

What do thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have?

Answer 4

A physical basis

Question 5

What does neurochemistry refer to?

Answer 5

Action of chemicals in the brain

Question 6

What relies on chemical transmission in the brain?

Answer 6

Thought and behavior

Question 7

What are chemicals transmitted by?

Answer 7

Neurotransmitters

Question 8

How can chemical imbalances relate to mental disorders?

Answer 8

They can cause mental disorders

Question 9

Lower levels of which neurotransmitter are associated with OCD?

Answer 9

Serotonin

Question 10

Overproduction of which neurotransmitter is linked to schizophrenia?

Answer 10

Dopamine

Question 11

How are psychological characteristics inherited?

Answer 11

In the same way as height or eye color

Question 12

What research method is used to investigate genetic characteristics?

Answer 12

Twin studies

Question 13

What are concordance rates?

Answer 13

The extent to which twins share the same characteristic

Question 14

If a characteristic is genetic, what do we expect from identical twins (monozygotic)?

Answer 14

They will be concordant

Share 100% of the same genes

Question 15

What percentage of genes do non-identical twins (dizygotic) share?

Answer 15

50%

Question 16

Define genotype.

Answer 16

Their genetic makeup

Question 17

Define phenotype.

Answer 17

The way that genes are expressed through physical, behavioral, and psychological characteristics

Question 18

Do identical twins have the same genotype?

Answer 18

Yes but may have a different phenotype

Question 19

What theory did Charles Darwin propose?

Answer 19

Theory of natural selection

Question 20

What happens to genetically determined traits that enhance survival or reproduction?

Answer 20

They will continue in future generations

Question 21

What gives certain animals advantages in survival?

Answer 21

Genetically determined traits

Question 22

List one strength of the biological approach.

Answer 22

Real world application
* Understanding neurochemical processes allows for drug development
* eg: depression

Question 23

How do antidepressants help individuals with depression?

Answer 23

They increase serotonin levels at the synapses in the brain

Question 24

What is one limitation of the biological approach?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Why is the biological approach being based on scientific methods a strength?

Answer 25

• Uses fMRI scans and EEGs
• Can accurately measure physiological and neural processes without bias
• Based on objective and reliable data

Question 26

What’s another limitation of the biological approach?

Answer 26

• 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