Biological approach evaluate Flashcards
P: Scientific methods - uses a range of precise, highly controlled and objective methods.
E: highly controlled environments –> research reliable and replicable (e.g. Sperry split brain research to discover lateralisation of function)
E: sophisticated scanning techniques e.g. fMRI, EGG –> measure psychological and neural processes + no bias
L: scientific validity –> inferences of cause and effect between biology and behaviour
+ P: Usefulness/application in the real world.
E: neurochemical imbalance –> development of psychoactive drugs
E: Antidepressants reduce symptoms depression –> increase serotonin
E: Antipsychotics reduce hallucinations –> block DA receptors post-synaptic neuron
L: manage mental health conditions + return to normal
CP: antidepressant drugs don’t work for everyone.
Cipriani et al –> effectiveness of 21 antidepressants –> effects mainly modest
Challenges value of bio approach brain chem alone doesn’t explain all cases of mental health
+ P: The biological approach could be criticised for being deterministic.
E: behaviour governed by genetic causes (can’t control) –> but phenotype is influenced by environment
E: MZ twins share 100% of genes but don’t share 100% same behaviour
Elab: undermines legal system because offenders could argue that they not responsible for actions rater criminal gene
L: purely biological view –> too deterministic –> ignores mediating effects of environment –> serious moral and ethical implications
P: Concerns over the credibility of the theory of natural selection which undermines evolution.
E: Popper –> natural selection not meet criterion for scientific theory –> can’t be tested empirically and objectively –> backwards looking
E: basic principles supported by fossils –> how life forms evolved –> become more complex
L: natural selection can’t predict species evolution –> does provide account of how development occurred –> strengthening bio approach
