biological approach

Question 1

biological approach

Answer 1

suggests that our thinking and behaviour are strongly determined by biological factors: structure and functioning of the nervous system which is in turn influenced by genetic and evolutionary factors

Question 2

genetic basics of behaviour

Answer 2

studies whether behavioural characteristics such as intelligence are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics such as height and eye colour

Question 3

why are twin studies used

Answer 3

to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing the concordance rates between pairs of twins
-if identical twins are found to have a higher concordance rate than non identical for musical ability etc this would suggest a genetic basis

Question 4

genotype and phenotype

Answer 4

genotype- a persons actual genetic makeup- the expression of a genotype is inevitably influenced by environmental factors
phenotype- the way that genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics (determined by both genes and environment)

Question 5

evolution and behaviour

Answer 5

charles darwin- natural selection- argued that genetically determined characteristics or behaviour that enhances our chances of survival and reproduction will be passed on to the next generation and traits which do not enhance survival will gradually disappear

Question 6

scientific methods of investigation

Answer 6

• uses a range of highly scientific methods including scanning techniques such as fMRIs and EEGs
• able to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways that are not open to bias
• based on reliable data

Question 7

real life application

Answer 7

increased understand of biochemical processs in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental illnesses such as depression
-however these drugs are not effective for all patients

Question 8

causal conclusions

Answer 8

offers explanation for mental illness in terms of the action of neurotransmitters in the brain

• studies show that a particular drug reduces symptoms of a mental disorder so it is assumed that the neurochemical in the drug causes the disorder
• however discovering an association between two factors does not mean that one is a cause

Question 9

deterministic view of behaviour

Answer 9

sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control
-implications for the legal system and wider society-legal system doesn’t follow this

Question 10

cannot separate nature and nurture

Answer 10

identical, non identical twins and members of the same family all have genetic similarities so biological approach argues this is due to their genetics
-however, confounding variable- also exposed to similar environmental conditions so findings can just as easily be interpreted as nurture rather than nature