KA - 3 Biological approach Flashcards
what to biological psychologists believe drive behaviour
- genetics
- chromosomes
- hormones
- neurotransmitters
innate factors
examples of neurotransmitters
- dopamine
- serotonin
- oxytocin
what is the main assumption of the biological approach
all behaviour is first biological, then psychological. behaviour is NOT learned from others around you
main ideas of the biological approach
- human behaviour has evolved
- influenced by genetic make up and inheritance
- uses. biological structure to explain behaviour
- uses twin studies to study behaviour
who theorised the evolution of behaviour
Darwin through his theory of natural selection
how has behaviour evolved
- maladaptive genes die put and adaptive genes survive
- human behaviour is ‘wired in’ from evolution
- some behaviours must be universal
example of universal behaviours
facial expressions
examples of adaptive behaviours
- fear response
- lactose tolerance
- some aggression
examples of maladaptive behaviours
- allergens
- extreme sports
- eating disorders
- schizophrenia
- some aggression
what is a genotype
the actual genetic makeup of something - cannot be changed or observed
what is a phenotype
the physical and observable characteristics of a genotype - changeable and observable
what studies occur in the biological approach
twin adoption studies
ideal conditions for adoption studies
MZ twins, separate environments
results of adoption studies
if they show the same behaviours it suggests behaviour is genetic
if they show different behaviours suggests behaviour is learned from environment
NEVER GET 100% CONCORDANCE
what are the characteristics of neurochemistry
- chemicals affect behaviour
- looks at the role of neurotransmitters like dopamine with neurological behaviours and serotonin with OCD + depression
- hormones
