biological approach- assumptions Flashcards
What are the 3 assumptions for the biological approach?
Localisation of brain function, neurotransmitters, influence of evolution on behavior.
what does localisation of brain function refer to?
This refers to the assumption that different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions.
what is the cerbal cortext?
covers the brain, responsible for high order cognitive functions.
how many sections can the cerbal cortext be divided into?
4
what are the 4 sections of the cerbal cortext known as?
lobes
what are the 4 lobes of the cerbal cortext
frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal
frontal lobe- location
front of brain
parietral lobe- location
middle section of the brain
occupitial lobe- location
back of the brain
temporal lobe- location
bottom section of the brain
frontal lobe - responsibility
problem solving
parietal lobe- responsibility
sensory processes such as pain
occupital lobe- responsibility
interpreting visual stimuli
temporal lobe- responsibility
auditory information
example of localisation of brain function assumption
Paul Broca (1961)
Paul Broca (1961)
- Exhibited the brain of a patient of someone who could only say ‘tan’
- Clear damage to the left frontal cortex, which disrupted the ability to produce speech
what do evolutionary psychologists use to explain human behavior?
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution which states how species survive through natural selection.
natural selection
a process where those who adapt to their environment tend to survive and produce offspring
what can evolution be used to explain
how human mind and behaviors over millions of years are adapted to meet the demands of our individual environments.
survival of the fittest
the genes which allow these individuals to be successful are passed onto the offspring who will therefore also have the ability to survive and evolve too
example of evolution assumption
trivers
trivers
- The foundation of romantic relationships is driven by how each sex has a different level of investment in ensuring their offspring’s survival
- women look for men with ambition, shelter and high earning capacity for them and their child
- Men look for fertile, youthful women to have a baby with
what are neurotransmitters?
Chemical passengers and electrical signals which are passed from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron across the synapse.
what happens when neurotransmitters cross the synapse?
they change into a chemical signal
what happens when the neurotransmitter reaches the postsynaptic neuron
it is absorbed and changes the chemical signal back into an electrical one. This process then continues.
dopamine
- controls bodily movements and emotional responses
- dopamine deficiency leads to mental health conditions such as depression
serotonin
- affects both emotion and motor skills
- supports sleeping, eating and digestion
What is the example of the neurotransmitters assumption?
Aron et al (2008)
Aron et al 2008
Dopamine plays a critical part in the formation of a romantic relationship as it activates the reward centre of the brain as well as the sex hormones. Therefore, it is partly the reason for someone to find someone else attractive.
