Biological Approach

Question 0

What are the core studies?

Answer 0

Sperry
Maguire
Dement and Kleitman

Question 1

What are the assumptions?

Answer 1

• our biology determines our behaviour, thoughts and feelings
• human genes have evolved to adapt behaviour to the environment, so much of our behaviour will have a genetic basis

Question 2

What are the strengths?

Answer 2

• use of sophisticated equipment which improve accuracy (Maguire MRI)
• takes a scientific approach using labs= higher control of extraneous v
• practical applications= much research found can be used to help diagnose and develop treatments (Maguire brain injuries patients)

Question 3

What are the weaknesses?

Answer 3

• use of labs= lower ecological v (D&K not normal to sleep in a lab)
• sophisticated equipment= costly and time consuming so smaller samples (D&K only 5, M 16 and S 11) so not representative as low in population v

Question 4

What is a difference and similarity between Sperry and Maguire?

Answer 4

SIMILARITIES

• small sample= low reliability as many individual differences
• used specialised equipment (MRI and screen projector)
• Quasi experiments

DIFFERENCES

• Sperry requires PPs to take part in a series of tests
• Maguire only required brains to be scanned