C1: Biological approach: Assumptions Flashcards
What are the three biological assumptions
Evolutionary Influences
Localisation of brain functions
Neurotransmitters.
Evolutionary Influences - Theory of natural selection. (4)
- Based off of Darwin’s theory.
- The idea that genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual’s chance of survival and reproduction will be naturally selected, eg genes will be passed on to the next generation.
- Altruistic behaviour eg a parent risking their lives to save their offspring, theory of natural selection would say this behaviour is inherited.
- this enhances the survival of that individual’s gene pool.
Evolutionary Influences - EEA (environment of evolutionary influences) (4)
- Environment to which any species is adapted and the selective pressures that existed at the time.
- Only behaviours that will ensure the survival in that individual’s particular environment will be adaptive.
- Eg adapting 2 million years ago when humans moved from forest life to the developing savannahs in Africa. This proposes that the human brain has evolved in response to the complex social organisation of our species.
- Genes for such behaviours are passed on, eg forming alliances and good relationships to survive.
Localisation of brain functions overview.
Refers to the principle that certain areas of the brain are responsible for different functions - they have certain jobs or tasks to carry out.
Localisation of brain functions - four lobes, where are they and what are they called?
Located in the cerebral cortex.
- frontal lobes
- parietal lobes
- temporal lobes
- occipital lobes
Frontal lobes - what does it do?
Involved in thinking and creativity - has been linked to our personalities.
Parietal lobes - what does it do?
Receives sensory information such as temperature, touch and pain.
Temporal lobes - what does it do?
responsible for much of our memory processing as well as a processing of auditory information (hence speech)
Occipital lobes - what does it do?
concerned with visual processing and receive information directly from the eyes.
Localisation of brain functions - Localisation of language: Broca’s area
Left hemisphere, associated with speech production, located in the posterior portion of the frontal lobe.
Localisation of brain functions - localisation of language: Wernicke’s area
Understanding language.
Neurotransmitters: what’s a neuron?
electrically excitable cells that form the basis of the nervous system. The flexibility of the nervous system is enhanced by having many branches at the end of each neuron, so that each neuron can connect with many others.
How do neurons send neurotransmitters?
One neuron communicates with another neuron at a synapse, the message is relayed by a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter)
What are neurotransmitters released from
Presynaptic vesicles
What role does serotonin play?
Plays a role in our mood, sleep and appetite.
