Biological Approach Flashcards
What are the three assumptions of the biological approach?
Behaviour is affected by genetics, the central nervous system and the chemistry of the body
How do genes influence behaviour?
Genes an individual possess influence his or her behaviour. It is believed that behaviour evolves the same way as physical characteristics through the process of evolutionary adaptations
What are the two types of genes?
Genotype and phenotype
What is genotype?
An individual’s genetic make up which occurs at conception and provides the genetic code for how the individual will develop (genes)
What is phenotype?
An individual is the product of what happens when the genotype interacts with the environment (genes and environment)
How do twin studies support the biological approach?
If identical twins show a higher likelihood of sharing behaviour than non identical twins then there is argued to be a genetic component
What is a study into twin studies?
Gottesman. He found the concordance rate for schizophrenia in identical twins was 48% and 17% for non identical twins
How do twin studies criticise the biological approach?
There has never been a 100% concordance rate for identical twins suggesting that even though there may be a genetic influence it is not the sole reason for the behaviour
How does evolution influence behaviour?
There is a mutation which leads to a behaviour occurring. If the change means survival the genes gets passed on. This mutation is adaptive
How does the central nervous system affect behaviour?
It consists of the brain and spinal cord and is where the physiology of the individual is controlled. As we look at the brain for behaviour most actions and reactions are generated by the CNS
How does the peripheral nervous system affect behaviour?
It sends information to and from the CNS to the rest of the body. It is also used for survival
What is a neuron?
A nerve cell which transfers information between the nervous systems
How does the endocrine system affect behaviour?
The level of a hormone in the system can affect the behaviour of an individual
What is an example of neurochemistry affecting behaviour?
Low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin is linked to depression
What are two strengths of the biological explanation?
It adopts a scientific method for investigation and there is practical applications eg drugs
