Biological Approach

Question 1

Genes - inheritance & twin studies

Answer 1

Monozygotic - identical

Dizygotic - 50% shared genes

Concordance rates - the probability of both twins having a particular trait of one of the pair does

Question 2

What is genotype

Answer 2

The particular genetic makeup

Question 3

What is phenotype

Answer 3

The characteristics displayed as an interaction between the expression of the genotype and environment

Question 4

Evolution

Answer 4

Certain behavioural & physical characteristics are selected because they increased the likelihood of survival e.g fight or flight response

Question 5

Neurochemistry

Answer 5

Affects behaviour as changing levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain can affect mood

Aggression in men is linked to the increases of the hormone testosterone

Question 6

Evaluation: strength

Answer 6

Scientific methods: e.g brain scanning techniques that are under highly controlled conditions

Question 7

Evaluation: strength

Answer 7

Practical applications: drug treatments such as Prozac for depression

Question 8

Evaluation: weakness

Answer 8

It is unclear whether changes in bio chemicals like serotonin are the symptoms of mental illnesses or the cause

Question 9

Evaluation: weakness

Answer 9

Reductionist: reduces the cause of behaviour down to physical factors such as genes therefore ignores other factors

Question 10

Evaluation: weakness

Answer 10

Determinist: it says we have no free will to stop becoming mentally ill if inherited from a family member