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MH - 23PSY-2AL-D1 > The Approaches: The Biological Approach - 24/25 Updated > Flashcards

The Approaches: The Biological Approach - 24/25 Updated Flashcards

1
Q

State one assumption of the biological approach to explaining human behaviour.

A

Physical factors such as hormones, neuroanatomy, nervous system and the inheritance of genes can all explain our behaviour.
Argues an individuals genotype and phenotype will determine how we behave.

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2
Q

What physical factors explain our behaviour?

A

Hormones
Neuroanatomy
Nervous system
Inheritance of genes

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3
Q

What two factors determine how we behave according to the biological approach?

A

genotype
phenotype

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4
Q

The genetic explanation argues about how behavioural characteristics are developed?

A

It argues that behavioural characteristics like intelligence, personality, mental health disorders are genetically inherited from biological parents, and therefore will run in families.

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5
Q

What physical characteristics are genetic according to the biological approach?

A

eye colour
height

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6
Q

The genetic explanation would argue that OCD is due to the inheritance of what?

A

one or many maladaptive genes e.g. SERT

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7
Q

Which maladaptive gene has been shown to explain OCD?

A

A mutation in the SERT gene

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8
Q

The genetic explanation would suggest that the closer the genetic link, the greater risk of?

A

Risk of inheriting OCD

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9
Q

What is the key term used to explain a natural risk to developing a disorder based on your genetic makeup?

A

genetic predisposition

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10
Q

Genetic probability of sharing behaviour behaviour is measured by?

A

concordance rates

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11
Q

If there was a higher concordance rate, what does that mean for the genetic basis of behaviour?

A

There is stronger evidence for a genetic basis of behaviour.

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12
Q

Which scientific research methods are used when studying how our biology affects behaviour?

A

Gene mapping
Brain scans - fMRI’s, EEG’s

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13
Q

Which type of twins have a greater probability of sharing a behaviour?

A

Monozygotic

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14
Q

In Carey and Gottsman’s twin study research into OCD, what percentage concordance rates did monozygotic twins have for OCD?

A

87%

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15
Q

In Carey and Gottsman’s twin study research into OCD, what percentage concordance rates did dizygotic twins have for OCD?

A

47%

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16
Q

Define genotype (2 marks)

A

A specific set of genes that an individual has inherited from their biological parents and is unique to them (their genetic makeup). Genotypes can give a predisposition to disorders.

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17
Q

Define phenotype (2 marks)

A

The product of what happens when the genotype interacts with the environment (combination of genotype and environment). This is how our genes are expressed through physical, behaviour and psychological characteristics. They are observable traits or behaviours shown by an individual.

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18
Q

Specific set of genes that are inherited from biological parents and is unique to an individual (their genetic makeup) is known as?

A

genotype

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19
Q

The product of your genotype interacting with the environment / the expression of our genes through observable behaviours is known as?

A

phenotype

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20
Q

Identical twins have the same genotype - true or false?

A

True

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21
Q

Identical twins always have the same phenotype - true or false?

A

False

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22
Q

What is a biological structure in our body?

A

An organ such as the brain or a system such as the nervous system or the endocrine system which can influence how we behave.

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23
Q

Abnormalities in brain anatomy can lead to certain behaviours. In what 3 ways may our brain change to become abnormal?

A

change in:
Size
Shape
Function

24
Q

How has the brain structures/anatomy been linked to an increased likelihood of experiencing symptoms of Schizophrenia (SZ)?

A

Enlarged ventricles in the brain have been linked to increased likelihood of symptoms in SZ.

25
Q

How has the brain structures/anatomy been linked to increased likelihood of experiencing symptoms of OCD?

A

Abnormal functioning of the parahippocampal gyrus (responsible for processing unpleasant emotions) has been associated with increased anxiety in OCD.

26
Q

Organs such as the brain and systems such as the nervous and endocrine system are all what?

A

Biological structures

27
Q

How can we use the biological approach to explain OCD - Name the 3 explanations

A

Genetic approach
Neurochemical explanation
Neuroanatomy

28
Q

How does the genetic approach explain OCD?

A

The genetic approach for explaining OCD suggests that OCD is inherited through maladaptive genes such as SERT. Mutation in the SERT gene leads to low activity levels of serotonin, associated with higher levels of anxiety in OCD.

29
Q

What does the neurochemical explanation suggest about how OCD develops?

A

The neurochemical explanation explains that OCD is due to low activity levels of serotonin in the synapse. Serotonin is recycled too quickly to the pre-synaptic neuron so cannot bind to the post-synaptic neuron. This means mood cannot regulate properly which has been linked to increased anxiety in those with OCD.

30
Q

What does the neuroanatomy explanation suggest about how OCD develops?

A

Neuroanatomy explanation suggests OCD develops through differences in size, shape and function of the brain and certain brain areas, abnormalities in areas such as the parahippocampal gyrus.

31
Q

What is a neurotransmitter?

A

A chemical messenger in the brain that passes information from one synapse to the next to produce a behaviour or emotion.

32
Q

What happens if there is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain?

A

It can lead to abnormal behaviour.

33
Q

An imbalance of the neurotransmitter dopamine has been linked with what disorder?

A

Schizophrenia

34
Q

Schizophrenia has been associated with an imbalance in which neurotransmitter?

A

Dopamine

35
Q

An imbalance of the neurotransmitter serotonin has been linked with which disorders?

A

Depression
Anxiety
OCD

36
Q

Depression, Anxiety and OCD have been associated with an imbalance in which neurotransmitter?

A

Serotonin

37
Q

Explain how the influence of neurochemistry can explain the development of SZ?

A

An imbalance in the activity levels of dopamine, for example too much dopamine activity in central areas of the brain have been associated with SZ symptoms such as auditory hallucinations.

38
Q

Explain how the influence of neurochemistry can explain the development of OCD?

A

An imbalance in the activity levels of serotonin, for example, low levels of serotonin activity have been associated with anxiety which increases obsessions and in turn compulsive behaviour in OCD.

39
Q

What does the evolutionary explanation suggest about behaviour?

A

That through natural selection behaviours will be passed on. E.g. genetically determined behaviour that increases chance of survival will be passed on (advantageous genes) and continue to be through future generations.

40
Q

What is the name of Charles Darwin’s theory?

A

Natural Selection

41
Q

What does the theory of natural selection suggest about survival?

A

Any genetically determined behaviour that increases an individual’s chances of survival and reproduction will continue to be passed on to future generations

42
Q

Behaviour that increased an individuals chance of survival and reproduction so will continued to be passed onto to future generations is explaining what theory?

A

Natural selection

43
Q

Evolution can explain a range of behaviours. Give an example of 2 behaviours that can be passed down through natural selection.

A

intelligence
aggression

44
Q

Why may being aggressive have been advantageous at some point in our ancestry?

A

Increased chances of gaining resources such as hunting food which would be attractive to a mate (sexual selection).

45
Q

One third of men have which gene that has been linked to aggressive behaviour?

A

‘Warrior gene - MAOA gene

46
Q

What is the MAOA gene also referred to as?

A

‘Warrior gene’

47
Q

What has the ‘warrior gene’/MAOA gene been linked to?

A

Aggressive behaviour in men

48
Q

What proportion of men have been found to have the MAOA ‘warrior’ gene?

A

1/3rd - One third

49
Q

AO3: State the evaluative points that can be used for the biological approach to explaining human behaviour.

A
  • Biological determinism
  • Biological reductionism
  • Practical applications
  • Use of scientific methods
50
Q

AO3: Why is the biological explanation for behaviour biologically reductionist?
Give examples.

A

The approach reduces complex human behaviour down to simple basic units of genes e.g inheritance of a maladaptive SERT gene in OCD//neurochemicals - e.g. imbalance of dopamine in SZ//neuroanatomy - e.g. enlarged ventricles in SZ which neglects a holistic approach.

51
Q

AO3: Why is the biological approach for explaining behaviour biologically deterministic?

A

The approach states that an individual is controlled by internal factors such as genes and neurochemicals that inevitably cause behaviour such as inheriting a PCM1 gene leading to SZ, which neglects the role of free will.

52
Q

AO3: Why is the biological approach to explaining behaviour praised for scientific methods?

A

Because the approach uses objective and empirical methods to investigate behaviour such as gene mapping and brain scanning techniques like PET scans to identify abnormal functioning in areas such as the parahippocampal gyrus - associated with OCD.

53
Q

AO3: If the biological approach uses empirical and objective methods to investigate behaviour, what type of validity will this increase?

A

Internal validity

54
Q

AO3: What practical applications do we have from the biological explanation of OCD?

A

Drug therapy - SSRI’s

55
Q

AO3: Explain how the practical application of SSRI’s help to treat patients with disorders like OCD?

A

SSRI’s have been effective in balancing the levels of neurotransmitter serotonin by increasing serotonin activity levels through blocking the reuptake of serotonin leading to decreasing anxiety. Reducing symptoms and helping to treat OCD.

MH - 23PSY-2AL-D1 (12 decks)

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