PAPER 2 - Approaches - Biological Flashcards
Define the biological approach.
It is a perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function.
Outline the assumptions of the biological approach.
It suggests that everything psychological is first biological.
To fully understand human behaviour, we must, therefore, look at biological structures and processes.
The mind lives in the brain - all thoughts, feelings and behaviour ultimately has a physical basis.
Define biological structure.
An arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ, system or living thing.
Define neurochemistry.
The actions of chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning.
What does our thought and behaviour rely on and how does this occur?
Chemical transmission in the brain… occurs using neurotransmitters.
What can an imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain cause + example?
Mental disorders…low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin is observed in OCD and overproduction of dopamine is observed in schizophrenia.
Define genes.
They make up chromosomes and consist of DNA which codes the physical features of an organism (such as eye colour, height) and psychological features (such as mental disorders, intelligence). Genes are transmitted from parents to offspring/inherited!
How does behaviour have a genetic basis?
Psychological characteristics are inherited in the same way as height or eye colour.
What kind of studies are used to investigate if certain psychological characteristics are inherited and how is this achieved?
Twin studies…it is achieved by analysing concordance rates - the extent to which twins share the same characteristic. If a characteristic is genetic we would expect all monozygotic twins to be concordant (environment is assumed constant).
Define genotype.
A person’s genetic make-up
Define phenotype.
The characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment/the way genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics.
Outline PKU as an example of why biological psychologists would accept both nature and nurture as influencing human behaviour.
PKU is a rare genetic disorder detected in babies using a heel prick test. If left unchecked, PKU causes severe learning difficulties in those who carry the genotype. If detected early enough, the child can be placed on a strict diet and won’t go on to develop learning difficulties.
What do monozygotic twins’ different phenotypes suggest about nature vs nurture?
Despite having identical genotypes, their phenotypes are different, telling biological psychologists that much of human behaviour depends upon an interaction between inherited factors (nature) and the environment (nurture).
Define evolution.
The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations.
Name and explain Darwin’s theory.
Natural selection - any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual’s survival and reproduction will continue in future generations…be naturally selected.
Give 3 examples of evolution in human behaviour.
Memory - memory has evolved because it provided advantages.
Attachment - Bowlby argues that attachment to a primary caregiver is adaptive.
Mental disorders - some mental disorders, such as OCD, may have a genetic basis, so it could be argued that these genes must have some adaptive advantage.
Explain real-world application as a strength for the biological approach.
Increased understanding of neurochemical processes in the brain is associated with use of psychoactive drugs to treat serious mental disorders (e.g. treatment of clinical depressions using antidepressant drugs to increase the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin at synapses in the brain to reduce depression symptoms) people with drug treatable mental disorders may be able to better manage their condition.
COUNTERPOINT - Drug treatment is not always accessible or effective for everyone.
Explain scientific methods as a strength for the biological approach.
To investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour, the biological approach makes use of a range of precise and highly objective methods including scanning techniques (fMRI etc).
It is possible to accurately measure physiological and neural processes in ways that aren’t open to bias.
This means much of the biological approach is based on objective and reliable data.
Explain biological determinism as a limitation for the biological approach.
It sees human behaviour as governed by internal, genetic causes over which we have no control. However, it is clear external factors do affect our behaviour e.g. environment and phenotypes.
A purely genetic argument for behaviour can be problematic when considering situations such as crime.
Therefore, the biological view can be too simplistic and ignores the mediating effects of the environment.
Evaluate the support for natural selection in the biological approach.
Critics of Darwin’s work claim it isn’t possible to falsify (a key criterion of science) the theory of natural selection…basic principles are supported by fossil fuels.
