Biological Approach

Question 0

Explain assumption 1 of the biological approach (areas of the brain)

Answer 0

The cerebral cortex covers the surface of the brain , this is the region responsible for higher cognitive functions. It is divided into four lobes, the most important Is the frontal cortex which is responsible for fine motor movements and thinking.
Others include occipital lobe for vision.
Underneath the cortex there are various subcortical structures such as the hypothalamus which integrates ANS (important in stress and emotion)

Question 1

What are the 2 assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 1

1- behaviour can be explained in terms of different areas of the brain
2- behaviour can be explained in terms of hormones

Question 2

Explain assumption 2 (in terms of hormones)

Answer 2

Hormones are biochemical substances that are produced in one part of the body and circulate in the blood. Their effects are slow in comparison with the nervous system but very powerful.
Examples are testosterone, oestrogen, and adrenaline which is also a neurotransmitter.

Question 3

What is Selye’s GAS model?

Answer 3

Study of the consequences of unpleasant stimuli on a subject and the response to stress.
General
Adaptation
Syndrome

Question 4

What is the first stage of the GAS model that Selye proposed that lead up to illness?

Answer 4

Stage 1- alarm reaction
The threat or stressor is recognised and a response is made to the alarm. The hypothalamus triggers the production of adrenaline from the adrenal glands. Adrenaline causes increased heart rate, sweaty palms, fast breathing etc. therefore leading to readiness for ‘fight or flight’.

Question 5

What is the second stage of the GAS model that Selye proposed that lead up to illness?

Answer 5

Stage 2- resistance
If the stress continues then it is necessary to find some means if coping. The body is adapting to the demands of the environment but at the same time resources are gradually being depleted. The body appears to be coping whereas in reality things are deteriorating.

Question 6

What is the third stage of the GAS model that Selye proposed that lead up to illness?

Answer 6

Stage 3- exhaustion
Eventually the body’s systems can no longer maintain normal functioning. At this point the initial symptoms may reappear. The adrenal glands may be damaged from over-activity and the immune system may not be able to cope because production of necessary proteins has been slowed down in favour of other needs. The result can then be depression, cardiovascular problems, and other mental and physical illnesses.

Question 7

What is the aim of psychosurgery?

Answer 7

To alleviate some of the severe symptoms of mental illness by destroying areas of the brain that may cause such behaviour.

Question 8

The links of psychosurgery to the biological approach?

Answer 8

They believe that mentally-disordered behaviour has a physical biological cause and this can be located in the brain.

Question 9

Types of psychosurgery?

Answer 9

Prefrontal lobotomy
Stereotactic psychosurgery
Deep brain stimulation

Question 10

Explain prefrontal lobotomy (leucotomy)

Answer 10

Surgical procedures involving selective disruption of nerve fibres. They drill holes on each side of the skull and insert an ice-pick.

Question 11

Explain stereotactic psychosurgery

Answer 11

They use brain scanning such as MRI scans to locate exact parts and sever connections. Such as capsulotomies , heat probes and burning tissue.

Question 12

Explain deep brain stimulation

Answer 12

They thread wires through the skull which stay in the brain. They then connect to a battery pack on the chest. It emits electric shocks which have a frequency adjustment.

Question 13

Research into prefrontal lobotomy

Answer 13

Lobotomies had a fatality rate of up to 6% and severe side effects including brain seizures.

Question 14

Research into stereotactic psychosurgery.

Answer 14

Capsulotomy was effective in 67% of OCD patients. Very few patients are treated this way. It gives unreliable data.

Question 15

Research into deep brain stimulation.

Answer 15

4/6 patients with severe depression experienced a striking remission after treatment.

Question 16

Explain the research into the biological approach.

Answer 16

Selye
He exposed rats to various environments; the cold, surgical injury, cutting the spinal cords, excessive muscular exercise or intoxications.
48 hours- (all of them) enlargement of the adrenal glands, ulcers.

1-3 months- (continued treatment) they lost their resistance.

Question 17

What are the 2 strengths of the biological approach?

Answer 17

1) scientific approach

2) determinism approach

Question 18

Explain strength 1 of the biological approach ( scientific )

Answer 18

Clear variables that can be measured, tracked and examined.

E.g. Research can investigate the effect of psychosurgery on recovery rates by measuring changes in symptoms or can investigate the effect of psychoactive drugs in certain neurotransmitter a by measuring the levels.

These examples of research are scientific as they fulfil the aims of scientific research- to conduct - objective well- controlled studies and demonstrate relationships.

Question 19

Explain the 2nd strength of the biological approach (determinist)

Answer 19

Explanations propose that physical elements of the body cause unidentifiable behaviour.

E.g. High levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine have been suggested as a possible cause of the mental disorder schizophrenia. Amphetamine which increases levels of dopamine can cause symptoms of schizophrenia.

If we know what pre-determines mental disorders we are more likely to be able to help treat people.

Question 20

What are 2 weaknesses of the biological approach?

Answer 20

1) reductionist

2) individual differences

Question 21

Explain weakness 1 of the biological approach (reductionist)

Answer 21

Reduce complex behaviours to a set of simple explanations.

E.g. Reducing the experience of stress to the action of the hormone adrenaline reducing the disorder of schizophrenia to the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

We may lose a real understanding because of reducing it to its most basic components. Incomplete explanation may prevents us reaching a true understanding of the causes.

Question 22

Explain weakness 2 (individual differences)

Answer 22

Only studies a few people and assumes that everyone’s biological systems the same.

E.g. Gender differences. Men react differently/ aggressively to stress. Some people may produce higher levels of adrenaline.

The end result is that the picture we have of behaviour is wrong and it doesn’t apply equally to everyone.

Question 23

What is the methodology used by the biological approach.

Answer 23

Twin studies

Brain scanning

Question 24

Explain the methodology used by the biological approach (twin studies)

Answer 24

Bouchard and McGue - inheritance of IQ.
Strengths:
MZ twins share 100% of their genes they are good participants for study of genres on behaviour.
MZ twins brought to together/ apart importance of genes and environment.
Weaknesses:
Difficult to differentiate genes/ environment.
Twins separated would have been raised very different.

Question 25

Explain the second methodology used by the biological approach (brain scanning)

Answer 25

CAT scans
MRI scans
PET scans 
Strengths:
Reveal abnormal structures in brain (CAT scans) 
Reveal chemical info (PET scans)
Weaknesses:
Require a lot of radiation, repeat exposure should be avoided. (CAT scans). 
PET scans are expensive.