Biological Approach (Approaches)

Question 1

What do biological psychologists argue about human behaviour

Answer 1

The biological approach suggests that everything psychological is first biological

Question 2

Genetic explanation - What are genes?

Answer 2

The genetic information carried in DNA in chromosomes found in the nucleus of the cell and are passed on through generations of a species

Question 3

Genetic explanation - How do genes affect behaviour?

Answer 3

Whether behavioural character such as intelligence and mental disorders are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics

Question 4

Genetic explanation - Can you inherit a behaviour?

Answer 4

Absolutely not.
- you can only inherit a gene that gives a pre-dispositional to certain behaviours

Question 5

Genetic explanation - How do we study the genetic basis of behaviour?

Answer 5

• twin studies
• concordance rates in twin studies refer to the extent to which both twins share the same characteristics E.g. concordance rate of addictive gambling in identical twins is 49% for males
• compare concordance rates of MZ twins twins to DZ twins - if MZ twins have a higher concordance rates than DZ twins, it suggests a genetic basis for that behaviour

Question 6

Evolutionary explanation - What is Darwin’s theory of natural selection?

Answer 6

• Origin of Species (1859) describes the process of natural selection
• characteristics that are not suited to a species’ environment will die out as it struggles to survive
• over time characteristics will evolve over generations so that only adaptive characteristics remain in future offspring

Question 7

Evolutionary explanation - What is an example of evolutionary psychology?

Answer 7

• Fessler (2006)
• found that women in their 1st trimester scored higher in disgust sensitivity than women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
• this is an adaptive trait because they want to protect their unborn child

Question 8

Evolutionary explanation - What is meant by genotype?

Answer 8

The actual genetic make-up of a person, the pairing of the alleles for a particular trait

Question 9

Evolutionary explanation - What is meant by phenotype?

Answer 9

The way genes are expressed through the observable characteristics shown by the individual
- these are due to a combined effect of genes and environment

Question 10

Neurochemical basis of behaviour - What does this mean?

Answer 10

This refers to how levels of neurotransmitters may affect behaviour

Question 11

Neurochemical explanation - What is an example?

Answer 11

People with low levels of serotonin and high dopamine are vulnerable

Question 12

Neuroanatomical basis of behaviour - What does this mean?

Answer 12

Different parts of the brain are responsible for different functions

Question 13

Neuroanatomical explanation - What is an example?

Answer 13

Research has shown that in some mental disorders there are differences in brain structure
E.g. Chance et al (2001) found a correlation between schizophrenia and enlarged ventricles

Question 14

Hormones as a basis of behaviour - What are hormones?

Answer 14

Chemicals produced by endocrine glands which together makeup the endocrine system

Question 15

Hormones as a basis of behaviour - What is an example?

Answer 15

• Carre et al (2006)
• found increased levels of the hormone testosterone whenever a Canadian ice hockey team played in their home stadium. Suggesting the hormone energised them to behave aggressively and defend their home territory

Question 16

STRENGTH of biological approach PEEL

Answer 16

P- scientific credibility, it utilises scientific methods
E- precise methodology (fMRI, PET scans)
E- provides accurate measure
L- more objective

Question 17

STRENGTH of biological approach PEEL

Answer 17

P- real world application
E- psychoactive drug use
E- practical benefits
L- poses a limitation as well because antidepressants don’t work for all

Question 18

LIMITATION of biological approach PEEL

Answer 18

P- cannot establish causality
E- strongly implied causation
E- only suggests associations between structure & function
L- based on correlation results

Question 19

LIMITATION of biological approach PEEL

Answer 19

P- evolutionary approach is untestable
E- argues whether evolution can be proved by human remains
E- cognitive archeology
L- Coolidge & Wynn (2016)