L4) biological approach

Question 1

Define the term genotype

Answer 1

The genetic make-up of an individual, e.g. eye colour. A combination of inherited genetic material from both parents.

Question 2

Define the term hormone

Answer 2

Chemicals produced by endocrine glands, which cause a physiological reaction in cells e.g. testosterone, oestrogen, adrenaline.

Question 3

Define the term gene

Answer 3

Part of the chromosome of an organism carrying inheritable information.

Question 4

Define the term natural selection

Answer 4

The process by which characteristics which enhance reproductive success and/or survival are passed down, thus becoming more widespread in the population.

Question 5

Define the term neurotransmitter

Answer 5

Chemical messengers which can stimulate or calm our brain. Common examples are dopamine and serotonin.

Question 6

Define the term phenotype

Answer 6

The observable characteristics of an individual. May differ from genotype due to an interaction between genes and environment (epigenetics).

Question 7

Assumptions of biological approach identify

Answer 7

1. causes of behaviour
2. scientific method
3. Animal research
4. free will?

Question 8

Explain the biological perspective on the causes of behaviour

Answer 8

Biological causes of behaviours such as
* Genetics
* Nervous system and neurotransmitters
* Neurochemistry - hormones/ neurons
* Genes
* Evolution - influences of natural selection on dis/advantageous behaviours

Question 9

Biopsychology view on the scientific method

Answer 9

Psychology is viewed as a science

• Focus on objective and replicable methodology
• Through twin studies (controlled lab environments)
• Objective - Brain scanning → fMRI measure blood flow objective data
• Empirical method - collecting observations
• Reliability - Maguire taxi study - had control group / lab conditions

Question 10

whats the biological approach view on animal research

Answer 10

Yes to some extent
* Lashley → rat study

• Cat study

Only using animals that are biologically or similar in terms of behaviours but they will use mammals.

Question 11

Whats the biological approach view on free will?

Answer 11

Biologically determinist
Believes that the genetic makeup is determinism → states that there is no free will

Question 12

How do biological psychologists investigate behaviour?

Answer 12

Biological psychologists tend to use methods such as neuroimaging to investigate the neural basis of behaviour, and family, twin and adoption studies to investigate the genetic basis of behaviour.

Question 13

Explain what a family study is

Answer 13

• look at whether people related have the same behaviour
• % compared with incidence rates o general population.

So if family rate is greater than that o the population suggests its a genetic behaviour

Question 14

explain what twin studies are

Answer 14

• uce concordance rates
• Compores MZ (identical) and DZ to quantidy the genetic basis of a behaviour

IF MZ out weighs DZ then supports the genetic basis of behaviour

Question 15

Explain what adoption studies are

Answer 15

• look at the impact o genes Vs environment
• If biological parent has a behaviour and the child develos it but is not in the same env as parent suggests it GENETIC

Question 16

Explain the real world application evaluation point

Answer 16

Real world application

• Understanding of biochemical processes → development of drugs neural mechanisms explanation lead to drug therapy of SSRI for OCD
• Economic implications of getting back to work / practical value improving lives / strong positive real world impact

Drugs are not 100% effective - other factors such as cognition may be influencing so a more holistic approach may be needed → limited as an explanation on its own

Question 17

explain the reductionism evaluation

Answer 17

SImplifies information to a biological level of measurement → only considering biological processes

• Underestimating the complexity of biological processes → ie ignoring cultural and societal influences

HAS legal implications that the legal system and wider society as the notion of morally responsible would be undermined if a → criminal gene was identified

But despite this it is important for conducting the scientific research - ie such a through twin studies
**More holistically theory is probably needed **

Question 18

Explain the deterministic evaluation

Answer 18

Argues behaviour is governed by internal,biological causes

• Says we are controlled by genes → NO FREE WILL - humanists would critique is untrue with often taking a soft determinist approach with some element of free will

Oversimplification - viewing behaviour as fixed and predetermined → undermining the credibility of bio approach

Question 19

Explain the scientific method as an evaluation

Answer 19

Obtains scientific methods of investigation
Techniques such that are objective data → making it more reliable
* fMRIs
* EEGs
* Family / twin studies
Drug trials
Advances technologically allow us measure biological neural processes in an objective way

BUT fMRI only measures blood flow though we think in electrical impulses
On balance, despite the control it undermines the IV as they may not be measuring the right thing