Biopsychology Flashcards
Describe and evaluate the Biological approach (Supporting evidence)
P - There is supporting evidence for the genetic basis of behaviour.
E - Gottesmann found there was a higher concordance rate for schizophrenia in MZ twins (48%) than DZ twins (17%).
E - MZ twins share 100% of their genes whereas DZ twins share 50% of their genes.
L - The difference in concordance rates shows a genetic basis to schizophrenia as both sets of twins share the same environment the only difference is the number of genes shared.
Describe and evaluate the Biological approach (Critique)
P - Twin studies can be criticised as they assume MZ twins and DZ twins share the same environment.
E - It’s argued that MZ twins share a more similar environment than DZ twins as they are more likely to be dressed the same.
E - This reduces the internal validity of results as the cause of behaviour may be more to do with the environment and experiences rather than heredity.
L - Also if behaviour was entirely genetic concordance rates should be 100% for MZ twins and 50% for DZ twins, as they are not other factors must be involved.
Describe and evaluate the Biological approach (Opposing research)
P - There is opposing research to the biological approach by Bandura
E - He recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll.
E - When these children were later observed playing with the Bobo doll they behaved much more aggressively than those who observed a non-aggressive adult.
L - Bandura demonstrated that people learn through observation and imitation of others, this is a problem for the biological approach which only assumes behaviour is heredity.
Describe and evaluate the Biological approach (Different explanation)
P - One strength of the biological approach is that it is deterministic.
E - This is due to the fact that it sees behaviour as determined by internal factors such as genes and hormones which we have no control over.
E - This is a strength as it identifies the cause of behaviour so is consistent with scientific approach.
L - However a limitation of this is that is is not consistent with out view of ourselves or the justice system.
Describe and evaluate the Biological approach (Applications)
P - Increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that are used to treat serious mental illnesses such as depression.
E - For example, SSRI’s prevent the re-absorption of serotonin, this increases its levels in the synapse and thus serotonin continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron.
E - Although these drugs are not effective for all patients they have revolutionised treatment for many.
L - This is a strength as it means sufferers are able to manage their own conditions and live a relatively normal life away from hospital.
Describe and evaluate localisation and function in the human brain (Supporting evidence)
P - Support for localisation comes from studies of patients with aphasia due to lesions.
E - Broca researched nine patients with speech deficits and found that they all had lesions in a particular part of the frontal lobe.
E - In addition, Wernicke researched patients who could speak but had problems understanding, he found that they all had lesions in a similar area of the left temporal lobe.
L - This shows that there are localised areas in the brain for language comprehension and production.
Describe and evaluate localisation and function in the human brain (Critique)
P - One problem is that language production may not be confined to Broca’s area alone.
E - Dronker examined the brains of Broca’s patients and found other areas of the brain were damaged not just Broca’s
E - Lesions that only affect Broca’s area generally only resulted in temporary speech.
L - This suggests that language and cognition are far more complicated than once thought.
Describe and evaluate Split Brain research (Generalisability)
P - One problem with Sperry’s split brain research is the sample size that was used.
E - There were only 11 participants who took part in all variations
E - Also all participants had a history of epileptic seizures, this may have caused unique changed of the brain.
L - Therefore it is difficult to generalise the results about lateralisation of function to individuals with intact corpus callosums.
Describe and evaluate Split Brain research (Reliability)
P - Other research shows that language is not restricted to left hemisphere but differs between individuals reducing the reliability.
E - For example, 95% of right-handed people had a left hemisphere dominance for language.
E - 20% of left handed people had a right hemisphere dominance for language, a further 20% had language centres that were arranged bilaterally.
L - Therefore results of Sperry’s research might be different if some of his patients were left handed.
Describe and evaluate Split Brain research (Validity - Differences)
P - Differences in lateralisation of function may be overstated .
E - Modern neuroscientists argue distinction between left and right hemisphere is less clear cut.
E - A normal brain has two hemispheres that are in constant communication.
L - Therefore this reduces external validity of lateralisation of brain function.
