Biological Approach Flashcards
1
Q
biological approach assumptions
A
- all psychology is rooted in biology, so biological structures are studied in this approach
- brain structure understanding can help explain thoughts and feelings
- mind lies within the physical brain
- human behaviour mostly has a psychological cause, environmentally or genetically altered
2
Q
biological approach studies
A
- brain, nervous system, as well as hormones and glands are studied
3
Q
aims of the biological approach
A
- to determine and give evidence to show the extent to which behaviours, characteristics and disorders, such as aggression, are due to biological structures, or environmental influence
4
Q
use of twin studies
A
- twin studies explore the possibility of characteristics such as intelligence and mental disorders being passed on similarly to physical characteristics through ones genes
5
Q
identical twins
A
- monozygotic - share 100% of their genes with each other
- come from one egg that splits into two
6
Q
non-identical twins
A
- dizygotic - share 50% of their genes with each other
- come from two separate eggs and sperm
7
Q
concordance rate in twins
A
- the extent to which twins share similar traits and characteristics which should, in theory, be 100% for MZ twins if a trait or characteristic is solely genetic
8
Q
Francis Galton
A
- stated in 1869 that all-natural abilities are inherited
- later stated that resemblance between family could be a result of both genes and the environment they share
9
Q
suggestion of biological predisposition
A
- certain traits and disorders, e.g. OCD, addiction and schizophrenia do present some suggestion that they have a biological basis
- Lewis (1936) - found that 37% of his participants with OCD also had parents with OCD, and 21% had siblings with it
10
Q
adoption studies
A
- these studies are used to understand the influences of environmental factors and biological factors
- a lot of the research done in this area supports the diathesis-stress model, stating that if a person has a genetic vulnerability and a stressor they are likely to develop said disorder
- this would mean that a dysfunctional adoptive family would be much more likely to cause a child to, for example, develop schizophrenia, than a healthy family, if both children had a genetic vulnerability
11
Q
Genotype
A
- set of genes someone has, dictating their characteristics such as eye colour, natural hair colour
- actual genetic make-up
12
Q
Phenotype
A
- characteristics someone has based off genes and environment, e.g. diet, physical fitness
- the way that genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics
13
Q
PKU (Phenylketonuria)
A
- demonstrates relationship between genotype and phenotype
- if untreated, the disease can result in learning disabilities
- but if detected early enough, a restricted diet can be enforced upon the child so that they do not develop these learning disabilities
14
Q
Evolution and behaviour
A
- Charles Darwin
- natural selection within animals
- behaviour which aids the survival of animals will be passed on to future generations, making the species stronger
15
Q
(+) EVAL - strengths
A
- we can easily fund cause and effect due to the scientific nature of biological approach studies
- this establishes it as a respectable science
- high level of objectivity and control within biological approach studies
- these studies may also be performed by machines, which removes variables and affects outcomes
- biological research and findings can be linked to treatment of mental disorders, such as using SSRIs to treat OCD
