Biological Assumptions Flashcards
What does the biological approach suggest about behaviour?
It is caused by the internal biological systems
What is the nativist approach?
Suggests that behaviour is passed down through genes from one generation to the next
What is the medical model?
Suggests that treatment of psychological disorders should be based on the same principles used to treat physical diseases
What is assumption one of the biological approach?
Behaviour can be explained by neurotransmitters
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical messengers that carry signals from one neutron to the next
What are some examples of neurotransmitters?
Serotonin, GABA, Noradrenaline and Dopamine
What are neurons?
An electrical excitable cell which processes and transmits neurotransmitters through chemical signals via synaptic transmission
What is a synapse?
A gap between neurons where chemicals diffuse across
Where do synapses occur?
Between the axon of the pre-neuron and there dendrites of a post-neuron
Where do the Axon and Dendrites carry impulses?
AXON - carries impulse AWAY
dENdrities - carry impulse to the Next neuron
What are the features of a neuron?
Axon and dendrites
What are the features of synaptic transmission?
Synaptic cleft, receptor sites and post-synaptic neuron
What has serotonin been linked to?
Mood regulation, sleep and apetite
What does too little serotonin lead to?
Depression
How do anti-depressants work?
Increasing amount of serotonin available in the synapses
What has dopamine been linked to?
Hallucinations and delusions
What can too much dopamine lead to?
Schizophrenia
How do anti-psychotics work?
Reducing dopamine levels
What is assumption two of the biological approach?
Behaviour can be explained by localisation of brain function
What does ‘localisation of function’ suggest?
Certain areas of the brain are responsible for particular functions
What are the four lobes of the brain and what is their function?
Frontal Lobe - thinking, language (Broca’s area) and motor skills
Parietal Lobe - Sensory information
Occipital Lobe - Visual information and processing
Temporal Lobe - Auditory information (Wernicke’s area) and memory
What may happen if each lobe is damaged?
Frontal Lobe - loss of fine motor skills and Broca’s aphasia (trouble producing speech)
Temporal Lobe - changes in emotional state and Wernicke’s aphasia (trouble understanding speech)
Occipital Lobe - perception issues
Parietal Lobe - sensory issues
What is the well-known example of localisation of function?
Phineas Gage
What happened to Gage?
Had an accident involving a metal rod going through his frontal lobe and experienced drastic personality change e.g. rude ways and more aggressive
What is assumption three of the biological approach?
Behaviour can be explained by evolutionary experiences
What does ‘evolve’ mean?
Change through time
What is natural selection?
The idea that any genetically determined behaviour which increases chances of survival, will be naturally selected and passed down generations
What is an example of evolutionary experiences?
Nyctophobia - fear of the dark once needed to be aware of predators in cavemen years
What did Charles Darwin publish in 1879?
The Origins of Species - all living things must have evolved through time to become better suited to their environment
What is ‘environment of evolutionary adaptiveness’?
Explains why humans have adapted from forests to developing savannahs in Africa such as large brains and ability to form relationships.
