Bioloigcal Approach

Question 1

Define Biological Approach

Answer 1

Views humans as biological organisms and so provides biologicL explanations for all aspects of psychological functioning.

Question 2

Define Gene

Answer 2

A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries DNA.

Question 3

Define Genotype

Answer 3

The genetic make-up of an individual.

Question 4

Define Phenotype

Answer 4

The observable characteristics of an organism.

Question 5

What are the Basic Assumptions?

Answer 5

• all human behaviours can be explained using genetics and hormones
• if all behaviours have a biological cause, then behaviours can be easily modified using things such as medication
• research using animals can inform us about human behaviours

Question 6

Explain Behavioural Traits using Evolution

Answer 6

• people with better genes are more likely to reproduce
• others who have bad genes are less likely to reproduce so these bad genes aren’t passed on
• this causes people to become better adapted as there are less bad genes
• phobias and aggression may have evolved because of the survival advantage they gave

Question 7

Explain Psychological Traits using Genetics

Answer 7

• faulty genes can cause some mental illnesses e.g. schizophrenia
• as biological psychologists believe everything can be explained by genetics, these mental illnesses are passed down through genes
• some genes may make you more likely to develop a mental illness

Question 8

Define Neurochemistry

Answer 8

Study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system.

Question 9

What role do Neurotransmitters play?

Answer 9

• too much or too little of a neurotransmitter may produce psychological disorders
• e.g. too much dopamine is linked to schizophrenia

Question 10

Define Twin Studies

Answer 10

A research method that allows psychologists to study the “nature vs nurture” debate.

Question 11

What did Gottesman (1991) do?

Answer 11

• carried out a meta analysis of 40 twin studies

Question 12

What did Gottesman (1991) find?

Answer 12

• identical twin with schizophrenia = 48% chance of also developing illness
• non identical twin with schizophrenia = 17% chance of also developing illness

Question 13

Define Adoption Studies

Answer 13

Comparing biological relatives and adoptive relatives in terms of genetics and environment.

Question 14

What did Heston (1966) do?

Answer 14

• studied 47 adopted children whose biological mothers had schizophrenia
• control group if 50 adopted children whose biological mothers didn’t have schizophrenia
• followed up as adults and given personality/intelligence tests

Question 15

What did Heston (1966) find?

Answer 15

• experimental group = 5 out of 47 developed illness, 4 classed as borderline
• control group = 0 out of 50 developed illness

Question 16

Define PET Scans

Answer 16

Shows which part of the brain is active during a specific task.

Question 17

Define CAT Scan

Answer 17

Detects damaged parts of brain, tumours and blood clots; shows structure of brain NOT function.

Question 18

Define MRI Scan

Answer 18

Detect small tumours and provide details about brain structure.

Question 19

Define SQUID Magnetometry

Answer 19

Uses magnetic fields generated from active neurones in the brain to produce images of the brain.

Question 20

What did Bard and Mountcastle (1948) find?

Answer 20

Found damaged areas of the brain led to changes in aggression levels; hypothalamus and mandala are involved.

Question 21

General Strengths of Biological Approach

Answer 21

• very scientific so can provide good evidence for their assumptions
• biological treatments can be developed to help individualswith mental illnesses

Question 22

General Weaknesses of Biological Approach

Answer 22

• doesn’t consider the influence of environment, family, childhood experiences or emotions/motivation
• biological explanations for negative behaviours may cause people to blame medicine and biology instead of themselves