Biological Area Flashcards
What is the biological area about?
Biological psychologists believe that all that is psychological is first physiological.
What are the 4 main assumptions of the biological approach that behaviour can be explained by?
- brain structure
- neurons/neurotransmitters
- hormones
- genes
What are the 3 defining principles?
- Behaviour can be largely explained in terms of biology (genes/hormones/brain function etc)
- Psychology should be seen as a science, to be studied in a scientific manner.
- It supports the individual side of the individual vs situational debate.
Explain the first assumption of the biological area: brain structure and localisation?
What is the right side of the brain used for? What does is control?
The left side? What does it control?
The central nervous system is made up of 2 parts: the brain and the spinal cord. The two halves on the brain are called hemispheres.
Right side: creativity. Controls the left side of the body.
Left side: language & speech. Controls the right side of the body.
Explain the 2nd assumption: Neurons and neurotransmitters.
What are there roles?
What is the neurotransmitter serotonin and dopamine responsible for?
Neuron’s pass messages from one neuron’s to the next via small gaps called the synapse. These chemical messages passed are called neurotransmitters.
Serotonin: happiness.
Dopamine: reward sensor, pleasure & satisfaction.
Explain the 3rd assumption: the role of hormones (endocrine system).
What does testosterone/oestrogen/adrenaline do?
The endocrine system is what controls the release of hormones into our blood stream.
Testosterone: regulates hormones.
Oestrogen: regulates reproductive system.
Adrenaline: activates ‘fight or flight’.
Explain the 4th assumption: the role of genes.
What do biological psychologists believe?
1) Behaviour can be explained by the influence of genes. Genes interact with one another to produce an effect on behaviour (e.g. intelligence or mental illness).
2) biological psychologists believe our personality, intelligence and tendency to develop mental illness are largely inherited.
Explain brain plasticity?
Brain plasticity refers to the brains ability to change throughout life.
This happens in the brain:
1) at the beginning of life.
2) in case of brain injury.
3) through adulthood.
Explain the biological treatments for abnormal behaviour? (Psychosurgery)
What mental disorders is it used to help? (4)
What are the 4 main drugs used to treat mental disorders?
Psychosurgery (lobotomies) is a surgical procedure to treat mental disorders. It removes or destroys part of the brain to eradicate the undesirable behaviour. This is a last resort if patients haven’t responded to any other treatment.
1) OCD
2) bipolar
3) depression
4) schizophrenia
psychotherapy and psychoactive drugs are also used to treat mental disorders.
1) Anti-psychotic
2) Anti-depressants
3) Anti-anxiety
4) Anti-mania
Strengths of the biological area? (3)
1) favours scientific methods (e.g. lab experiments)
2) its led to advances in our understanding of the brain and its impacts on behaviour.
3) the emphasis is on controlled scientific study that can be replicated.
Weaknesses of the biological area? (3)
1) lacks ecological validity (lab).
2) reductionism - excludes social/cognitive explanations.
3) limitations in the way info is interpreted.
Applications of the biological area?
1) resisting temptation for long-term goals (Casey).
2) useful for medical professionals to make quick assessments.
3) how brain functioning links to criminal behaviour.
4) how genetics predispose people towards criminal behaviour/mental illness.
What are the core studies that link to the biological area?
1) Casey - study of delayed gratification.
2) Sperry - Hemisphere disconnection.
