The Biological Approach Flashcards
Everything psychological is at first
Biological
If we want to fully understand human behaviour we must look to
Biological structures and processes within the body such as…
Genes
Neurochemistry
The nervous system
Behaviours are inherited in the same way as
Physical characteristics such as height or eye colour
What gene is implicated for OCD
5HT1-D
Neurochemistry also explains behaviour, for example
Low levels of serotonin in OCD
From a biological perspective, the mind lives in the
Brain - meaning that all thoughts, feelings and behaviours ultimately have a physical basis
Thoughts, feelings and behaviour having a physical basis is a contrast to the
Cognitive approach which sees the mind as separate from the brain
Concordance rates between twins are calculated
The extent to which twins share the same characteristics
Higher concordance rates among identical twins than non-identical twins is evidence of
A genetic basis
MZ twins
Monozygotic
100% DNA
DZ twins
Dizygotic twins
50% DNA
A persons genotype is their
Actual genetic makeup
Phenotype is the way that genes are
Expressed through physical behavioural and psychological characteristics
The expression of genotype (phenotype) is influenced by
Environmental factors
Human behaviour depends on the interaction of
Nature and nurture
Charles Darwin Date
1859
Charles Darwin proposed the theory of
Natural selection
Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances both
Survival and reproduction will be passed on to future generations
Genes that give offspring an advantage are described as
Adaptive
In order to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour
The biological approach makes use of a range of precise and highly scientific methods
These precise and scientific methods and techniques include
Scanning techniques (fMRIs) and drug trials
It is possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways
That are not open to bias
The biological approach creates reliable data because
It’s methods are not open to bias
Increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to
The developmental psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental orders such as depression
Although not all drugs help everyone
They have revolutionised treatment for many
Psychoactive drugs are a strength of the approach because it means that sufferers are able to
Live a relatively normal life rather than in hospital
The role of neurotransmitters in mental illness comes from
Studies that show a particular drug reduces symptoms of the disorder by changing levels of neurotransmitter
Study’s assume that the neurotransmitter is
The cause
The role of neurotransmitters and the assumption that neurotransmitters cause mental illness is a weakness because
The biological approach is claiming to have discovered a cause when only an association exists
What kind of view does the biological approach have?
It has a deterministic view of behaviour as it sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control over
Does the legal system support or disagree with the biological approach?
It disagrees as it sees people as responsible for their behaviour instead of being controlled by internal biological causes
What would cause the legal system to agree with the biological approach
The discovery of a ‘criminal gene’
Research into a criminal gene may have
Wider implications for society as criminals will be excusable for their behaviour
Identical twins, non-identical twins and members of the same family all have
Genetic similarities so any similarity in the way they behave must be genetic from a biological perspective
The fact that family members are exposed to similar environmental conditions is an important
Confounding variable
