The Approaches: The Biological Approach MH Flashcards
All human behaviour is at first __________, the mind lives in the _____________.
All human behaviour is at first biological, the mind lives in the brain.
What physical factors explain our behaviour?
Hormones
Neuroanatomy
Nervous system
Inheritance of genes
What two factors determine how we behave according to the biological approach?
genotype
phenotype
The genetic explanation argues that behavioural characteristics such as intelligence, personality and mental illness are what?
genetically inherited
What physical characteristics are genetic according to the biological approach?
eye colour
height
The genetic explanation would argue that OCD is due to the inheritance of what?
one or many maladaptive genes e.g. SERT
Which maladaptive gene has been shown to explain OCD?
A mutation in the SERT gene
The genetic explanation would suggest that the closer the genetic link, the greater risk of?
Risk of inheriting OCD
What is the key term used to explain a natural risk to developing a disorder based on your genetic makeup?
genetic predisposition
Genetic probability of sharing behaviour behaviour is measured by?
concordance rates
If there was a higher concordance rate, what does that mean for the genetic basis of behaviour?
There is stronger evidence for a genetic basis of behaviour.
Which scientific research methods are used when studying how our biology affects behaviour?
Gene mapping
Brain scans - fMRI’s, EEG’s
Which type of twins have a greater probability of sharing a behaviour?
Monozygotic
In Carey and Gottsman’s twin study research into OCD, what percentage concordance rates did monozygotic twins have for OCD?
87%
In Carey and Gottsman’s twin study research into OCD, what percentage concordance rates did dizygotic twins have for OCD?
47%
Define genotype (2 marks)
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.
Define phenotype (2 marks)
The product of what happens when the genotype interacts with the environment. This is how our genes are expressed through physical, behaviour and psychological characteristics. They are observable traits/shown through behaviours.
Specific set of genes that are inherited from biological parents and is unique to an individual (their genetic makeup) is known as?
genotype
The product of your genotype interacting with the environment / the expression of our genes through observable behaviours is known as?
phenotype
Identical twins have the same genotype - true or false?
True
Identical twins always have the same phenotype - true or false?
False
What is a biological structure in our body?
The brain or a system such as the nervous system or the endocrine system which can influence how we behave.
Abnormalities in brain anatomy can lead to certain behaviours. In what 3 ways may our brain change to become abnormal?
change in:
Size
Shape
Function
How has the brain been linked to an increased likelihood of experiencing symptoms of Schizophrenia (SZ)?
Enlarged ventricles in the brain have been linked to increased likelihood of symptoms in SZ.
Organs such as the brain and systems such as the nervous and endocrine system are all what?
Biological structures
How can we use the biological approach to explain OCD - Name the 3 explanations
Genetic approach
Neurochemical explanation
Neuroanatomy
How does the genetic approach explain OCD?
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.
What does the neurochemical explanation suggest about how OCD develops?
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.
What does the neuroanatomy explanation suggest about how OCD develops?
Neuroanatomy explanation suggests OCD develops through differences in size, shape and function of the brain and certain brain areas, including a hypersensitive basal ganglia.
What is a neurotransmitter?
A chemical messenger in the brain that passes information from one synapse to the next to produce a behaviour or emotion.
What happens if there is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain?
It can lead to abnormal behaviour.
An imbalance of the neurotransmitter dopamine has been linked with what disorder?
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia has been associated with an imbalance in which neurotransmitter?
Dopamine
An imbalance of the neurotransmitter serotonin has been linked with which disorders?
Depression
Anxiety
OCD
Depression, Anxiety and OCD have been associated with an imbalance in which neurotransmitter?
Serotonin
What is the name of Charles Darwin’s theory?
Natural Selection
Natural selection is the name of who’s theory?
Charles Darwin
What does the theory of natural selection suggest about survival?
Any genetically determined behaviour that increases an individual’s chances of survival and reproduction will continue to be passed on to future generations
Behaviour that increased an individuals chance of survival and reproduction so will continued to be passed onto to future generations is explaining what theory?
Natural selection
Evolution can explain a range of behaviours. Give an example of 2 behaviours that can be passed down through natural selection.
intelligence
aggression
Why may being aggressive have been advantageous at some point in our ancestry?
Increased chances of gaining resources such as hunting food which would be attractive to a mate.
One third of men have which gene that has been linked to aggressive behaviour?
‘Warrior gene - MAOA gene
What is the MAOA gene also referred to as?
‘Warrior gene’
What has the ‘warrior gene’/MAOA gene been linked to?
Aggressive behaviour in men
What proportion of men have been found to have the MAOA ‘warrior’ gene?
1/3rd - One third
AO3: Why is the biological explanation for behaviour biologically reductionist?
The approach reduces complex human behaviour down to simple basic units of genes/neurochemicals/neuroanatomy. which neglects a holistic approach.
AO3: Why is the biological approach for explaining behaviour biologically deterministic?
The approach states that an individual is controlled by internal factors such as genes and neurochemicals that inevitably cause behaviour, which neglects the role of free will.
AO3: Why is the biological approach to explaining behaviour praised for scientific methods?
Because the approach uses objective and empirical methods to investigate behaviour such as gene mapping and brain scanning techniques.
AO3: If the biological approach uses empirical and objective methods to investigate behaviour, what type of validity will this increase?
Internal validity
AO3: What practical applications do we have from the biological explanation of OCD?
Drug therapy - SSRI’s
