Biological Approach (Approaches) Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is a genotype?

A

The genetic material passed between generations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a phenotype?

A

Observable characteristics that the genes produce

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the main assumptions of the biological approach

A
  • Investigates how genes, hormones, evolution and the nervous system (nature) affect human behaviour.
  • Tries to explain behaviour using biological causes. This means that biological treatments can be developed to modify or remove unwanted behaviours.
  • Biological psychologists use animal research and twin and adoption studies to investigate their ideas.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is 3 strengths of the Biological Approach?

A
  • The approach uses a scientific method (lab studies), so they are very controlled and objective.
  • Biological treatments can be created from using the biological approach such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, which work on the assumption that chemical imbalances are the main cause of the problem.
  • Measurements are objective because they are done by machines
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is 3 limitations of the Biological Approach?

A
  • Extremely reductionist –> simplifies the explanations of behaviour down to being entirely down to biology.
  • Questioned whether people can truly help their behaviour according to the biological approach.
  • Deterministic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is monozygotic?

A

Identical twins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is dizygotic?

A

Non-identical twins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a concordance rate?

A

The extent to which twins share the same characteristics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are genes?

A
  • Carry the instructions for a particular characteristic.
  • How it develops depends on the interaction of the gene with other genes, and particularly on the environment.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are neurones?

A
  • Transmit nerve impulses in the form of electrical signals.
  • Many aspects of behaviour are under neuronal control, such as breathing, eating and sexual behaviours.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the nervous system?

A
  • Made up of different connected systems
  • CNS includes the brain and spinal cord
  • Carries messages from one part of the body to another using nerve cells called neurons.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is neurotransmitters?

A
  • A chemical signal that diffuses across a synapse to neuron to neurons
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are hormones?

A
  • Chemicals that are produced by the endocrine glands such as the pituitary gland.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are twin studies?

A
  • Twin studies have been used to investigate the genetic basis of schizophrenia. Identical twins (monozygotic) share a higher percentage of their genes than non identical (dizygotic) twins, and therefore they are more likely to suffer from psychological illnesses if the cause is genetic.
  • Twins that are separated from birth are analysed when they are adults and it has been found that they have similar interests and personalities, despite being raised in completely different environments.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are adoption studies?

A
  • Used to demonstrate the genetic basis of schizophrenia
  • If an adopted child has schizophrenia and their biological parent also suffers from this illness, but their addicted parent does not, then a genetic reason is for this.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly