Biological approach Flashcards
for supporters of the biological approach, everything psychological is
at first biological- if we want to fully understand human behaviour we must look at biological structures and processes within the body such as genes, neurochemistry and the nervous system
explain how behaviour has a genetic and neurochemical basis
- behaviour geneticists study whether behavioural characteristics such as intelligence and personality are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics such as height or eye colour
- neurochemistry can also explain behaviour, for example low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD
explain how from a biological perspective, the mind lives in the brain
- from a biological perspective, the mind lives in the brain meaning that all thoughts, feelings and behaviour ultimately have a physical basis
- this is in contrast to the cognitive approach which sees the mind as separate from the brain
explain how twin studies are an important way of investigating the genetic basis of behaviour
- these are used to determine the extent to which some characteristics have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates between twins- the extent to which both twins share the same characteristics
- high concordance rates among MZ twins than DZ twins tends to be taken as evidence of a genetic basus
explain how much of human behaviour depends on the interaction of nature and nurture
- genotype= person’s genetic make-up
- phenotype= characteristics expressed by phenotype
- expression of genotype (phenotype) is influenced by environmental factors
- PKU is an inherited condition which can lead to severe learning difficulties if left unchecked. However, if the child is placed on a special diet they will develop normally- an example of how phenotype may override genotype through environmental influence
explain how Darwin’s theory of evolution is used by the biological approach to explain many aspects of behaviour
- Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection towards end of the 19th century
- any genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival (advantageous allele) will be passed on to further generations
- such genes are described as adaptive and give the possessors certain advantages
- for instance, attachment behaviours in newborns promote survival and are therefore adaptive and naturally selected
what are the evaluation points for the biological approach?
- one strength is the use of scientific methods of investigation
- the biological approach has real-life application
- one weakness is that the biological approach is based on a determinist view of behaviour
- a methodological problem for the biological approach is the difficulty of separating nature and nurture
explain how one strength is the use of scientific methods of investigation
- in order to investigate the genetic and physiological basis of behaviour, the biological approach makes use of a range of precise and highly scientific methods
- these include scanning techniques such as fMRI, twin studies and drug trials
- with advances in tech, it is possible to accurately measure biological processes in ways that are not open to bias
- so this means that the biological approach is based on reliable data
explain how the biological approach has real-life application
- increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs for treating depression, OCD and Schizophrenia e.g. SSRIs and antipsychotics
- although these drugs are not effective for all patients, they have revolutionised treatment for many
- this is a clear strength of the approach because it means sufferers are able to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life, rather than remain in hospital
explain how the biological approach is based on a determinist view of behaviour
- the biological approach is determinist in that it sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control
- however this is at odds with the legal system which sees offenders as personally and morally responsible for their actions
- the discovery of a ‘criminal gene’ may suggest that some people are not acting freely, which complicates the legal responsibility
explain how a methodological problem for the biological approach is the difficulty of separating nature and nurture
- MZ twins, DZ twins and members of the same family all have genetic similarities, so any similarity in the way they behave must be from a biological perspective
- however the fact that family members are exposed to similar environmental conditions is a significant confounding variable, so that findings could be just as easily interpreted as supporting nurture rather than nature
- this is a problem for the biological approach as findings from twin studies and family studies do not just support genetic arguments- the biological approach’s fundamental basis
