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biological approach Flashcards

1
Q

What are the basic assumptions of the biological approach?

A

The biological approach assumes that behaviour is influenced by biological factors such as genetics, neurochemistry, and biological structures. It also considers evolution as a factor in shaping behaviour.

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2
Q

How do genes influence behaviour according to the biological approach?

A

Genes determine the biological makeup of an individual and influence traits that can affect behaviour, such as temperament and susceptibility to mental health conditions.

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3
Q

What role do biological structures play in behaviour?

A

Biological structures like the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system process and regulate bodily functions, which directly influence behaviour.

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4
Q

What is the influence of neurochemistry on behaviour?

A

Neurotransmitters and hormones affect brain function and behaviour. For example, serotonin is linked to mood regulation, and dopamine influences reward-seeking behaviour.

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5
Q

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

A

Genotype refers to an individual’s genetic makeup, while phenotype is the observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of the genotype with the environment.

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6
Q

What is the genetic basis of behaviour?

A

The genetic basis of behaviour suggests that certain behaviours and traits have a hereditary component, influenced by genes inherited from parents.

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7
Q

How does evolution explain behaviour?

A

Evolutionary psychology argues that behaviours have adapted over time to solve problems faced by ancestors, enhancing survival and reproduction, such as aggression for protection and attachment for bonding.

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8
Q

How do twin studies support the genetic basis of behaviour?

A

Twin studies show higher concordance rates for certain traits and behaviours in monozygotic (identical) twins compared to dizygotic (fraternal) twins, suggesting a genetic influence.

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9
Q

What is the role of the nervous system in behaviour?

A

The nervous system, including the central and peripheral systems, processes sensory information and coordinates actions, influencing behaviour and responses to the environment.

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10
Q

What is the significance of the fight-or-flight response?

A

The fight-or-flight response, regulated by the autonomic nervous system, prepares the body to respond to threats by releasing adrenaline and increasing heart rate, which influences survival behaviours.

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11
Q

How does brain structure relate to behaviour?

A

Specific brain areas are associated with certain behaviours. For example, the amygdala is linked to emotion regulation, and the prefrontal cortex is associated with decision-making and self-control.

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12
Q

What is neuroplasticity, and how does it affect behaviour?

A

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experiences, learning, or injury, influencing behaviour by modifying neural connections.

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13
Q

What was the aim of Gottesman and Shields’ 1991 study?

A

The aim was to investigate the genetic basis of schizophrenia by studying concordance rates in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins.

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14
Q

What methodology did Gottesman and Shields use in their study?

A

They conducted a meta-analysis of twin studies on schizophrenia examining concordance rates in MZ and DZ twins.

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15
Q

What were the main findings of Gottesman and Shields’ 1991 study?

A

Concordance rates for schizophrenia were higher in MZ twins (48%) compared to DZ twins (17%) indicating a genetic component to schizophrenia.

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16
Q

What conclusion did Gottesman and Shields draw from their study?

A

Schizophrenia has a significant genetic component but environmental factors also play a role.

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17
Q

What is a strength of Gottesman and Shields’ 1991 study?

A

A strength is the use of a large meta-analysis increasing the reliability of the findings.

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18
Q

What is another strength of Gottesman and Shields’ study?

A

The study provides strong evidence for the genetic basis of schizophrenia through the comparison of MZ and DZ twins.

19
Q

What is a limitation of Gottesman and Shields’ study regarding the environment?

A

MZ twins often share more similar environments than DZ twins which could confound the genetic findings.

20
Q

What is another limitation of the Gottesman and Shields’ study?

A

The concordance rates for MZ twins are not 100% indicating that environmental factors significantly contribute to schizophrenia.

21
Q

How does the study support the diathesis-stress model of schizophrenia?

A

It shows that while genetic predisposition is important environmental triggers are also necessary to develop schizophrenia.

22
Q

QuestionAnswer

A
23
Q

What was the aim of Heston’s 1966 adoption study?

A

To investigate whether schizophrenia has a genetic basis by studying adopted children of mothers with schizophrenia.

24
Q

What was the sample used in Heston’s 1966 study?

A

47 adopted children whose biological mothers were diagnosed with schizophrenia and a control group of 50 adopted children without such maternal history.

25
Q

What method did Heston use to collect data?

A

Psychiatric assessments interviews and medical records were used to determine the mental health of participants.

26
Q

What were the key findings of Heston’s study?

A

10% of the children with schizophrenic mothers developed schizophrenia compared to 0% in the control group supporting a genetic link.

27
Q

What conclusion did Heston draw from the study?

A

Schizophrenia has a significant genetic component though environmental factors may also play a role.

28
Q

What is one strength of Heston’s study?

A

The use of adoption design controls for the influence of the adoptive environment isolating genetic factors.

29
Q

What is another strength of Heston’s study?

A

The findings are supported by other research enhancing the study’s reliability.

30
Q

What is a limitation of Heston’s study related to sample size?

A

The sample size was relatively small limiting the generalizability of the findings.

31
Q

What is a limitation of Heston’s study related to environmental factors?

A

Adoptive environments may not be completely neutral and could still influence the development of schizophrenia.

32
Q

What is a limitation of Heston’s study related to ethical concerns?

A

The study involved sensitive information about participants’ biological and mental health raising privacy and consent issues.

33
Q

What was the aim of Maguire et al. (2000)?

A

To investigate whether structural changes in the brain could be detected in people with extensive experience in spatial navigation such as London taxi drivers.

34
Q

What method did Maguire et al. (2000) use?

A

They used a quasi-experimental design with MRI scans to compare the brains of taxi drivers to non-taxi drivers.

35
Q

What specific brain structure was investigated in Maguire et al. (2000)?

A

The hippocampus.

36
Q

What were the main findings of Maguire et al. (2000)?

A

Taxi drivers had increased grey matter volume in the posterior hippocampus compared to non-taxi drivers while non-taxi drivers had greater volume in the anterior hippocampus.

37
Q

What correlation did Maguire et al. (2000) find between hippocampal volume and taxi driving experience?

A

A positive correlation: the longer the experience as a taxi driver the larger the volume of the posterior hippocampus.

38
Q

What was the sample size of the study?

A

16 right-handed male taxi drivers and 50 right-handed male non-taxi drivers.

39
Q

What is one strength regarding the method used in Maguire et al. (2000)? (Evaluation - Method)

A

The use of MRI scans provided objective and reliable data on brain structure ensuring scientific accuracy.

40
Q

What is one limitation regarding the sample used in Maguire et al. (2000)? (Evaluation - Sample)

A

The sample was limited to right-handed males reducing generalizability to females and left-handed individuals.

41
Q

What is one strength regarding the ecological validity of Maguire et al. (2000)? (Evaluation - Ecological Validity)

A

The study investigated real-life navigation experience which increases its ecological validity.

42
Q

What is one limitation regarding the causality in Maguire et al. (2000)? (Evaluation - Causality)

A

The study is correlational so it cannot definitively establish that taxi driving causes changes in the hippocampus.

43
Q

What is one strength regarding the application of Maguire et al. (2000)? (Evaluation - Application)

A

The findings have practical applications in understanding brain plasticity and how experience can shape brain structure.

44
Q

What is one limitation regarding the ethical considerations in Maguire et al. (2000)? (Evaluation - Ethics)

A

There were no significant ethical issues; participants gave informed consent and underwent non-invasive procedures.

psychology (57 decks)

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