Biological Approach Flashcards
Biological approach assumptions
- Behaviour is influenced by our genes/central nervous system/ neurochemistry
- Behaviour is a product of evolution and natural selection
Personality traits- extravertion
People who are outgoing,sociable,loud, and friendly and they constantly seek new experiences and sensations - inherit an underactive nervous system, so in order to arouse it, they have to experience constant excitement
Personality traits - introvertion
People who are withdrawn,shy,quiet, and uncomfortable with new sensations - they inherit an overactive nervous system, so they avoid the discomfort of arousing it any further by withdrawing and keeping away from exciting activities
Genes
Chemical instructions (DNA), which tells your body what proteins to manufacture and - basically that is that is what you are a huge number of proteins
Genotype
An individual’s total set of genes
Phenotype
The observable characteristics that result from the interaction between a person’s genotype and environmental factors
SRY gene
Sex-determining region Y gene which triggers the appearance of testes in an embryo and the development of that individual into a biological male
Central nervous system - brain
The centre of our conscious awareness and where decision-making takes place
Central nervous system - spinal cord
It controls reflex actions such as pulling your hand away from a hot plate it also passes signals back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body
Peripheral nervous system - somantic branch
Sends signals to muscles and recieve signals from sense to organs
Peripheral nervous system - autonomous branch
It controls functions that are vital for survival and does not require our conscious attention
Autonomous branch - sympathetic division
It activates physiological arousal e.g increases heart rate, prepares body for fight or flight to cope with stress
Autonomous branch - parasympathetic division
It activates the rest and digest response to bring the body back to its normal resting state as stress has passed, e.g, reduce heart and breathing rates
Neuroanatomy - neuroplasticity
The ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganisation
Neuranatomy - lateralisation
The brain is divided into two halves called hemispheres. The right hemisphere controls some functions on the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere controls the right side
Neuranatomy - localisation of function
Specific brain areas control and regulate specific physical and psychological activities
Neurotransmitter- serotonine
At normal levels, it dampens and calms brain activity, which stabilises our mood. At lower levels, it is associated with anxiety, depression and aggression
Neurotransmitter - Dopamine
It’s involved in reward, motivation,memory,attention, and even regulating body movements. When it is released in large amounts, it creates feelings of pleasure and reward. At low levels, motivation and enthusiasm are reduced
Hormones and stress - adrenaline
It increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure, and boosts energy supplies
Hormones and stress - cortisol
It increases sugars ( glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain’s use of glucose, and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues
Evolutionary psychology - environment of evolutionary adaptation (EEA)
The habitat in which a species evolved its most recent adaptations in humans its assumed this ended about 10,000 years ago
Evolutionary psychology - genome lag
Changes to the environment occur much more rapidly than changes to our genes
Evolutionary psychology - sexual selection
Attributes or behaviours that increase reproductive success are more likely to be passed on and may become exaggerated over succeeding generations of offspring
