PAPER 2 - APPROACHES - the biological approach Flashcards
what is the fundamental belief of the biological approach?
all behaviour can be explained in terms of the individuals biology including: genetic basis of behaviour, genotype & phenotype, biological structures, neurochemistry & evolution
what is the genotype?
the genetic code written into the DNA of an individuals cells
what is the phenotype?
the physical appearance of the individual as a result of inherited information
what do genes ‘carry’?
instructions for chracteristics
what are the frontal lobes responsible for?
speech, thought, learning
what are the temporal lobes responsible for?
hearing, memory
what are the parietal responsible for?
processing sensory information e.g. touch, temperature, pain
what are the occipital lobes responsible for?
processing visual information
what is meant by the term ‘heredity’?
the passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through the genes and the reason why offspring ‘take after’ their parents
what is a gene?
- a section of DNA
- a part of the chromosome of organism that carries information as DNA
what is the nature-nuture debate?
the extent to which a physiological characterstic is determined by
why do individuals differ in terms of intelligence, ability etc.?
- individuals each have a unique combination of genetic instructions
- the more the trait is influenced by genetic factors, greater hereditability
what is the cerebrum?
- makes up 85% of the brain
- outer surface is the cerebral cortex, responsible for ‘high-order’ functions (thought, language)
- divided into 2 halves (hemispheres), each hemisphere divided into 4 (lobes)
what is a neurotransmitter, and what does it do?
- when a nerve impulse reaches the end of one neuron
- some neurotransmitters trigger a receiving neuron so send an impulse (stimulates brain into action) and some stop it from doing so (calms & balances mood)
what is an excitatory neurotransmitter?
triggers nerve impulses in neurons and stimulates brain into action
what is an inhibitory neurotransmitter?
triggers nerve impulses in neurons and calms the brain and balances mood
what is an example of an excitatory neurotransmitter?
dopamine
what is an example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter?
seratonin
what are hormones?
chemicals that are produced in the endocrine glands like the pituitary gland to make up the endocrine system
what do hormones do?
in response to signals from the brain, hormones are directly secreted into bloodstream where they travel to ‘target cells’
what do hormones do when they reach their target cells?
exert their influence by stimulating receptors on surface or inside cells
where are hormones produced?
endocrine glands like pituitary gland to make up the endocrine system
