Chapter 4: The Biological Approach Flashcards
What is the biological approach?
The biological approach to psychology argues that there are physiological (the branch of biology relating to the normal functions of living organisms and their parts) origins to many human behavior.
Why do some psychologists study the biological approach?
Psychologists have found that the relationship between biological factors and human behavior is bidirectional-that is biology may affect behavior and cognition, and the other way around.
What are some physiological factors of behavior and cognition?
Neurotransmitters, hormones, and genes. However, physiology responds to an environmental stimuli (ex: a stressful experience, an attractive person walking by) in order to function.
What is an interactionist approach?
An interactionist approach uses different approaches - biological, cognitive, and sociocultural - to get a richer understanding of behavior.
What is a reductionist approach?
A reductionist approach analyzes a complex behavior by studying the simplest, most basic mechanisms believed to be responsible for the behavior.
How are genes connected with behavior?
There are potentially combinations of genes that may lead to physiological processes that lead to certain behaviors. However, stress and other environmental factors can heavily impact how a gene related to a behavior is “expressed.”
Why does animal research provide insight into human behavior?
Mammals have very similar physiology, as they have similar structures for the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system to us humans. Also, our genetic makeup is very similar to that of mammals. Charles Darwin proposed that there is a continuity of evolution, so our physiological traits and behaviors may be related along with continuum. Also, psychologists carry out research with animals that may not be possible with humans.
What is NOT a reason for carrying out animal research?
Researchers are not bound to ethical considerations like they are in human research.
What (prior to brain scanning) was one of the most common ways to study the brain?
Case studies of brain damage, which could provide researchers with a situation that they could never ethically reproduce in a laboratory.
How are case studies often carried out? Why?
Longitudinally (over a long period of time). This was done in order to observe both short-term and long-term effects of damage.
What do case studies use to look at a range of effects?
Triangulation. If a patient has brain damage, this would include interviews with the family, psychometric testing (IQ or personality testing), experiments, and observations.
What are the limitations of case studies?
- Researchers don’t manipulate an independent variable, no cause-and-effect relationship can be determined.
- Case studies study one individual, so we cannot generalize findings to all human beings.
- It may be difficult to verify information about the patient before the accident took place, as your only source of the individual’s IQ, problem solving skills, memory, or interpersonal skills are often reliant on the family members. Their memories may not be accurate.
What are the types of triangulation?
Data triangulation, method triangulation, researcher triangulation, and theory triangulation.
What is data triangulation?
When more than one source of data is used.
What is method triangulation?
When more than one research method is used.
