The Biological Approach

Question 1

Everything psychological is at first

Answer 1

Biological

Question 2

If we want to fully understand human behaviour we must look to

Answer 2

Biological structures and processes within the body such as…
Genes
Neurochemistry
The nervous system

Question 3

Behaviours are inherited in the same way as

Answer 3

Physical characteristics such as height or eye colour

Question 4

What gene is implicated for OCD

Answer 4

5HT1-D

Question 5

Neurochemistry also explains behaviour, for example

Answer 5

Low levels of serotonin in OCD

Question 6

From a biological perspective, the mind lives in the

Answer 6

Brain - meaning that all thoughts, feelings and behaviours ultimately have a physical basis

Question 7

Thoughts, feelings and behaviour having a physical basis is a contrast to the

Answer 7

Cognitive approach which sees the mind as separate from the brain

Question 8

Concordance rates between twins are calculated

Answer 8

The extent to which twins share the same characteristics

Question 9

Higher concordance rates among identical twins than non-identical twins is evidence of

Answer 9

A genetic basis

Question 10

MZ twins

Answer 10

Monozygotic

100% DNA

Question 11

DZ twins

Answer 11

Dizygotic twins

50% DNA

Question 12

A persons genotype is their

Answer 12

Actual genetic makeup

Question 13

Phenotype is the way that genes are

Answer 13

Expressed through physical behavioural and psychological characteristics

Question 14

The expression of genotype (phenotype) is influenced by

Answer 14

Environmental factors

Question 15

Human behaviour depends on the interaction of

Answer 15

Nature and nurture

Question 16

Charles Darwin Date

Answer 16

1859

Question 17

Charles Darwin proposed the theory of

Answer 17

Natural selection

Question 18

Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances both

Answer 18

Survival and reproduction will be passed on to future generations

Question 19

Genes that give offspring an advantage are described as

Answer 19

Adaptive

Question 20

In order to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour

Answer 20

The biological approach makes use of a range of precise and highly scientific methods

Question 21

These precise and scientific methods and techniques include

Answer 21

Scanning techniques (fMRIs) and drug trials

Question 22

It is possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways

Answer 22

That are not open to bias

Question 23

The biological approach creates reliable data because

Answer 23

It’s methods are not open to bias

Question 24

Increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to

Answer 24

The developmental psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental orders such as depression

Question 25

Although not all drugs help everyone

Answer 25

They have revolutionised treatment for many

Question 26

Psychoactive drugs are a strength of the approach because it means that sufferers are able to

Answer 26

Live a relatively normal life rather than in hospital

Question 27

The role of neurotransmitters in mental illness comes from

Answer 27

Studies that show a particular drug reduces symptoms of the disorder by changing levels of neurotransmitter

Question 28

Study’s assume that the neurotransmitter is

Answer 28

The cause

Question 29

The role of neurotransmitters and the assumption that neurotransmitters cause mental illness is a weakness because

Answer 29

The biological approach is claiming to have discovered a cause when only an association exists

Question 30

What kind of view does the biological approach have?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Does the legal system support or disagree with the biological approach?

Answer 31

It disagrees as it sees people as responsible for their behaviour instead of being controlled by internal biological causes

Question 32

What would cause the legal system to agree with the biological approach

Answer 32

The discovery of a ‘criminal gene’

Question 33

Research into a criminal gene may have

Answer 33

Wider implications for society as criminals will be excusable for their behaviour

Question 34

Identical twins, non-identical twins and members of the same family all have

Answer 34

Genetic similarities so any similarity in the way they behave must be genetic from a biological perspective

Question 35

The fact that family members are exposed to similar environmental conditions is an important

Answer 35

Confounding variable