Biological approach Flashcards
Biological approach
Assumptions
approach emphasising importance of physical processes in the body- e.g. genetic inheritance, neural function
Biological approach
parts
Genetic basis of behaviour
Evolution and behaviour
Genotype
Phenotype
Genetic basis of behaviour
└twin studies └compare likelihood certain traits have a genetic basis └compare concordance rates- extent to which twins share same basis └monozygotic- identical twins └higher concordance └share 100% genes └dizygotic- non-identical twins └lower concordance └share 50% genes
Evolution
definition
the changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
Evolution
person and theory
└Charles Darwin
└natural selection
└better genetics= survive (reproduce)
Genotype
└genetic makeup
└nature
Phenotype
└characteristics determines by genes and the environment
└nurture
Biological approach
strengths
Scientific methods └scanning techniques –fMRIs └twin studies, drug trials └neural processes └=based on reliable data
Real life application
└development of psychoactive drugs
└e.g. for depression- effective for many
└=sufferers can manage condition
Biological approach
limitations
Determinist view
└no control over behaviour- biological
└implications for legal system
Correlation not causation
└explains mental illnesses via neurotransmitters
└from evidence that a particular drug reduces symptoms of mental disorder
└assumed neurochemical in drug causes mental disorders
└association doesn’t mean cause