biological approach test

Question 1

What does the Biological Approach Involve?

Answer 1

-Genetics
-Biological structures
-Neuro-chemsitry
-Evolution

Question 2

What is the Fundamental Belief of the Biological approach?

Answer 2

The fundamental belief of the biological approach is that all behaviour can be explained in terms of individuals biology

Question 3

What is Heredity?

Answer 3

Genes carry instructions for characteristics but their development depends on how that gene interacts with other genes and enviornmental influences. (nature vs nuture debate)

Question 4

What is Genotype?

Answer 4

Genetic code in DNA, the genetic make-up of an individual. A collection of inherited genetic material, that’s passed down through generations.

Question 5

What is Phenotype?

Answer 5

Physical appearance resulting from genotype/inherited info (observable characteristics of an individual). This is the result of the interaction between the genotype and the environment. There’s not always a direct relationship between the genotype and phenotype e.g. if you inherit a recessive gene for blue eyes and dominant gene for brown eyes then you will have brown eyes, therefore you cannot always determine the genotype from just observing the phenotype.

Question 6

What is Heritability?

Answer 6

The amount of variation in a given trait e.g. intellegence, within a population that can be attributed to genetic differences. The more that trait is influenced by genetic factors, the greater its heritability e.g. research with monozygotic (identical) twins suggets variation in intellegence is 60-80% due to genes. This is therefore the genetic basis of behaviour.

Question 7

What is involved in Neurones and The Nervous System?

Answer 7

-CNS = brain and spinal cord.
-PNS = Somatic and autonomic nervous system.
-Neurones - nerves (in the nervous system) that carry messages (nerve/electrical impulses) from one part of the body to another, using neurones (nerve cells).
-Nerve impulses are transmitted by neurones or electrical signals.
-Some behaviours are under neuronal control e.g. breathing, eating.

Question 8

What is involved in The Brain?

Answer 8

-The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain (85%).
-Cerebral cortex: outer surface of the cerebrum and responsible for higher order functions e.g. language.
-The cerebrum is divided into 2 hemispheres with each being further divided into 4 lobes.

Question 9

What is involved in Neurochemistry?

Answer 9

-Neurotransmitter - chemicals released by neurones - travel to another neuron via the synapse. -> some neurotransmitters trigger impulses and some stop them.
-Excitatory neurotransmitter - trigger impulses and stimulate the brain e.g. dopamine (associated with drive/motivation)
-Inhibitory neurotransmitter - stop impulses e.g. serotonin (associated with stable mood).

Question 10

What is involved in Hormones?

Answer 10

-Produced by endocrine glands in the endocrine system e.g. pituatry gland.
-Secreted directly into blood stream and travel to targeted cells.
-Stimulate receptors in cells that changes the cell activity e.g. testostrone found to surge in ice hockey players during home games (Carre, 2006).

Question 11

What is the Nature-Nuture Debate?

Answer 11

Genes carry instructions for characteristics like IQ, but how that develops depends partly on how those genes interact with other genes and partly how they interact with the environment. The nature (inherited genes) being an individuals innate qualities and the nurture (environment) being personal experiences, these determine or cause individual differences in physical and behavioural traits.

Question 12

How do Biological Psychologists explain the genetic basis of behaviour?

Answer 12

Each individual has a unique combination of genetic instructions, meaning we all differ in terms of IQ, abilities, etc. Heritability means the amount of variability in a trait, within a population, that can be attributed to genetic differences between people in that population. The more a trait is influenced by genetics, the greater the hereditability. So, studies of monozygotic (identical) twins have shown the variation individual IQ, could be 60-80% due to genes.

Question 13

Whats a Neurotransmitter?

Answer 13

They are chemicals that are released when a nerve impulse reaches the end of a neuron.

Question 14

What is the Research into Testosterone?

Answer 14

Testosterone, Carre et al (2006) studied ice hockey players and found a surge in the hormone testosterone when the team played at home, suggesting the hormone energised (through aggression) the players to defend home territory.

Question 15

What is Natural Selection?

Answer 15

The process by which inherited characteristics that enhance an individuals reproductive succes (or fitness) are passed on to the next generation, and so become more widespread in the population overtime. Strongest genes which have adapted to the environment are passed on.

Question 16

What did Buss (1989) Find?

Answer 16

In his cross-cultural research universal similarities in mater preference in 37 cultures. Women desired mates with resources (to provide for offspring) whilst men desire young physically attractive (and indication of their fertility and reproductive value). Suggesting that it is down to nature, the 37 cultures won’t all have the same environment (nuture) making this a biologival explanation for behaviour.

Question 17

What are The Strengths of The Biological Approach?

Answer 17

-The importance of the scientific method.
-Application to the real world.

Question 18

What are The Limitations of The Biological Approach?

Answer 18

-The biological approach is reductionist.
-Problems for evolutionary explanations of behaviour.
-The dangers of genetic explanations.

Question 19

What is the Biological Evaluation point of The Importance of the Scientific Method?

Answer 19

Experimental studies are carried out in highly controlled environments so that the research can be replicated by other researchers under the same experimental conditions, adding to the validity of the original findings if they are reproduced. In early studies of brain functioning, clinical case studies were the primary method of study, but they were fraught with diffciulties such as researcher bias and lack of control. However, the use of sophisticated imaging and recording techniques has increased and precision and objectivity of the experimental research.

Question 20

What is the Biological Evaluation point of The Application to the Real World ?

Answer 20

The biological approach provides clear predictions e.g. about the effects of neurotransmitters or the behaviour of people who are genetically related. This has led to significant applications of the approach to the real world. For example, research into the role of neurochemical imbalance in depression has led to the development of drug treatments which correct this imbalance and minimise depressive symptoms. Reseach into circadian rhythms and their effect on the psychological wellbeing has led to significant improvements in the working conditions of those people who must work on shifts.

Question 21

What is the Biological Evaluation point that The Biological Approach is Reductionist?

Answer 21

Reductionism is the belief that complex human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down into its smallest component parts, such as the action of genes, neurochemicals and hormones. For example, many explanations of mental disorders are reductionist because genes or neurochemical imbalances are believed to be the main cause of these disorders. However, whilst a reductionist approach lends itself to scientific investigation, critics argue that we cannot fully understand a behaviour without also taking account of the other factors, all of which have significant influence on behaviour.

Question 22

What is the Biological Evaluation point that there are Problems for Evolutionary Explanations of Behaviour?

Answer 22

Crtics of evolutionary explanations claim that many established patterns of human behaviour have purely cultural origins with no survival or reproductive value. An example would be the incest taboos that exist in most socities. An evolutionary explanation would emphasise the problem of genetic mutuations that would arise from inbreeding; therefore natural selection would favour those individuals that avoid such practices. However, most cultures also have strict, culturally determined moral codes of conduct and incest taboos would undoubtedly form a part of such codes.

Question 23

What is the Biological Evaluation point of The Dangers of Genetic Explanations?

Answer 23

Recent research suggesting a genetic basis for criminal behavious has led to concerns about how this information might be used. Critics claim this may lead to genetic screening of the population to identify this genetic susceptibility and subsequent discrimination against those with a predisposition for ciminality. This also creates the danger that genes might then be used as convenient explanations for complicated human behaviours despite the fact the connection between genes and complex behavious such as ciminality is far from straight forward. However, other psychologists suugest that of ondividuals discover that they have a genetic predisposition for ciminality or mental disorders such as schizophrenia, this gives them the opportunity to avoid environmental situations likely to tigger this predisposition or to develop coping skills that would protect them from its influence.