Lesson 6: The Biologicial Approach

Question 1

What is the biological approach?

Answer 1

Suggests that everything psychological has come from a biological basis so must look at biological processes and structures within the body (genes, neurochemistry, nervous system)

Question 2

What is heredity?

Answer 2

Passing on of characteristics from one generation to the next through the genes
Reason why offspring take after their parent in terms of psychological characteristics

Question 3

What is genotype?

Answer 3

Persons actual genetic makeup

Question 4

What is phenotype?

Answer 4

Is the way genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics.
Expression of phenotype inevitably influenced by environmental factors.

Question 5

What is neurochemistry?

Answer 5

Main focus is on neurotransmitters: chemical messengers that carries signals between neutrons (e.g. dopamine and serotonin)

Question 6

Phineas Gage

Answer 6

Marked changes to personality (quick tempered). Damage to frontal lobes (control of behaviour)
PET scans of violent criminals

Question 7

H.M

Answer 7

Loss of LTM however remembered everything before operation and family and friends
Shows hippocampus plays part in registering memories

Question 8

EVALUATION

Answer 8

GOOD- real life application (psychoactive drugs)
GOOD- scientific methods of investigation
BAD- determinist view
BAD- causal conclusions (not always able to determine cause and effect)