biological approach - assumptions

Question 1

what is the first assumption of the biological approach?

Answer 1

1. evolutionary influences :
   - the human mind and behaviour has changed so we can adapt to the demand of our environment
   - natural selection
   
   • altruistic behaviour where parents risk their
     lives for their offspring
   • flight or fight response
     - sexual selection

Question 2

what is the second assumption of the biological approach?

Answer 2

2. localisation of brain function :
   - two hemispheres
   - cerebral cortex covers much of the brain and is responsible for higher order cognitive functions
   - 4 lobes/regions

Question 3

what are the four lobes of the brain and their functions?

Answer 3

• frontal lobe : responsible for creativity and our personality
• parietal lobe : where the brain receives sensory information such as temperature, touch and pain
• temporal lobe : responsible for memory and speech
• occipital lobe : helps with visual processing and receiving information from the eyes

Question 4

who is Paul Broca?

Answer 4

• in the 18th century, studied 8 patients with language problems
• examined their brains after death
• found they had damage to the left hemisphere of their brains
• this area became known as ‘Broca’s area’ and is associated with speech production
• located at the back of the frontal lobe

Question 5

who is Carl Wernicke?

Answer 5

• German neurologist
• discovered another region of the brain associated with language
• his patients could speak but weren’t able to understand language
• located at the back of the left temporal lobe

Question 6

what is the third assumption of the biological approach?

Answer 6

3. neurotransmitters :
   - neurons are cells that form the basis of the nervous system
   - one neuron communicates with another neuron at a synapse, where messages are sent via chemical messengers (neurotransmitters)
   - neurotransmitters are released from presynaptic vesicles into the synaptic gap
   - receptors on the receiving neuron take the message and pass it through the rest of the body

Question 7

how can neurotransmitters affect our behaviour?

Answer 7

• mental health
• serotonin affects mood, sleep and appetite
  
  • too little serotonin has been found in
    people with depression
• high levels of neurotransmitter dopamine have been associated with schizophrenia

Question 8

how can one biological assumption explain relationship formation?

Answer 8

neurotransmitter assumption :
- dopamine is associated with pleasure seeking and explains why we seek out relationships as it gives us a natural high
- oxytocin is linked to human bonding and increasing trust and loyalty
- high levels of oxytocin have been linked to
romantic attachment
- lack of physical contact will reduce levels of
oxytocin which explains why we have a
natural chemical drive to bond with others