The Biological Approach Flashcards
What is the biological approach to psychology?
views humans as biological organisms and so provides biological explanations for all aspects of psychological functioning
What are biological psychologists interested in?
the genetic basis of behaviour, showing how some characteristics can be passed from generation to generation through the genes
What is heredity?
the passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through genes
What do genes carry?
the instructions for a particular characteristic (e.g. intelligence)
How a characteristic, carried by a gene, develops depends on…
- the interaction of the gene with other genes
2. the influence of the environment
What is the nature vs nurture debate?
the extent to which a psychological characteristic is determined by genes or environment
What is the phenotype?
the physical appearance that results from the interaction of the genotype with the environment
How, and why, do we differ from one another?
our personality, intelligence, abilities - because we each possess a unique combination of genetic instructions
What is heritability?
refers to the amount of variability in a trait within a population that can be attributed to genetic differences between individuals within that population
The more that a trait is influenced by genetic factors, the _______ its heritability
greater
What is our nervous system compromised of?
- cental nervous system (CNS)
2. peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is the CNS comprise of?
spinal cord and the brain
What is the PNS comprised of?
the somatic and automatic nervous systems
How does the nervous system carry one message from one part of the body to another?
using individual nerve cells - i.e. neurons
What do neurons do?
transmit nerve impulses in the form of electrical signals
Give examples of behaviour that is under neuronal control
breathing, eating and sexual behaviour
What is the largest part of the brain?
cerebrum
How much mass of the brain does the cerebrum take up?
85%
What is the outer surface of the cerebrum called?
cerebral cortex
What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?
responsible for many of the ‘higher-order’ functions, e.g. thought ad language
What is the cerebrum divided into?
2 hemispheres
What is each hemisphere divided into?
4 lobes
When is a neurotransmitter released?
when a nerve impulse reaches the end of one neuron
What do neurotransmitters travel along?
a junction called the synapse
Name 2 types of neurotransmitters?
- ones that trigger the receiving neuron to send an impulse
2. ones that stop the receiving neuron from sending an impulse
What does the neurotransmitter that trigger nerve impulses in the receiving neuron do?
stimulates the brain into action
What are neurotransmitters that trigger nerve impulses in the receiving neuron called?
excitatory neurotransmitters
What are neurotransmitters that inhibit nerve impulses in order to calm the brain and balance mood called?
inhibitory neurotransmitters
What type of neurotransmitter is dopamine?
an excitatory neurotransmitter
What is dopamine in control of?
our drive and motivation
What type of neurotransmitter is serotonin?
an inhibitory neurotransmitter
What is serotonin need for?
adequate amounts are needed in order to maintain a stable mood
Who did research into the effect of serotonin, and what did they find?
Crockett et al. (2008) found that when serotonin levels are low people tend to display increased aggression
What is the job of the frontal lobes?
involved with functions such as speech, thought, learning
What is the job of the temporal lobes?
involved with hearing and memory
What is the job of the parietal lobes?
to process sensory information such as touch, temperature and pain
What is the job of the occipital lobes?
to process visual information
Where are hormones produced?
by endocrine glands
Give an example of an endocrine gland?
pituitary gland
Outline the ‘process’ of a hormone
- hormone is secreted directly into the bloodstream by the endocrine glands
- ravel to their ‘target cells’
- exert their influence by stimulating receptors on the surface of or inside cells
- hormone’s presence causes a physiological reaction in the cell, altering its activity
What effect does a hormone’s presence have?
causes a physiological reaction in the cell, altering its activity
Who did research into the effect of hormones, and what did they find?
Carre et al. (2006) studied a Canadian ice hockey team over the course of a season. They found evidence of a surge in levels of the hormone testosterone whenever the team players played in their home stadium, suggesting the hormone energised the players to defend their home territory
What did Charles Darwin argue? (evolution)
over time, organisms become adapted to their environment through biological evolution
Define evolution
the changes that take place in the characteristics of a population over time
What is the mechanism behind biological evolution?
natural selection
What is the central proposition of an evolutionary perspective?
that the genotype of a population is changeable rather than fixed, and that this change is likely to be caused by the process of natural selection
Define natural selection
the process by which inherited characteristics that enhance an individual’s reproductive success are passed on to the next generation, and so become more widespread in the population over time
What did Buss (1989) discover?
he studied 37 different cultures and found universal similarities in human mate preferences - women desired mates with resources (to provide for offspring) whilst men desired young, physically attractive women (an indication of their fertility and reproductive value)
What are the 5 PEEL evaluation points for the biological approach?
- the importance of the scientific method
- applications of the biological approach
- the biological approach is reductionist
- problems for evolutionary explanations
- the dangers of genetic explanation
What is a gene?
a part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA
What is the genotype?
a collection of inherited genetic material that is passed from generation to generation
What is neurochemistry?
the study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system
What is the PEEL paragraph for the biological approach evaluation point; the importance of the scientific method
P - the biological approach uses the scientific method, particularly the experimental method, as its main method of investigation
E - experimental studies take place in highly controlled environments so that other researchers are able to replicate research studies under the same experimental conditions, adding to the validity of the original findings if they can be reproduced
E - the use of sophisticated imaging and recording techniques has increased the precision and objectivity of experimental research in this area
L - as a result, these techniques have contributed to the scientific validity of the biological approach
What is the PEEL paragraph for the biological approach evaluation point; applications of the biological approach
P - a strength of the biological approach is that it provides clear predictions, e.g. about the effects of neurotransmitters on behaviour or the influence of biological rhythms of behaviour
E - this has led to significant applications f biological research in the real world. Research into the role of neurochemical imbalance in depression has led to the development of effective drug treatments
E - likewise, research into circadian rhythms and their effect on psychological well-being has led to significant improvements in the working conditions of shift workers
L - this further demonstrates the value of adopting biological approach to the study of human behaviour
What is the PEEL paragraph for the biological approach evaluation point; the biological approach is reductionist
P - the biological approach is criticised for its belief that complex behaviour can be broken down into the action of genes, neurochemical and hormones
E - for example, many explanations of mental disorders are reductionist because genes or neurochemical imbalances are believed to be the main cause of disorders
L - however, whilst a reductionist approach lends itself to scientific investigation, we cannot fully understand a behaviour without also taking account of the other factors that influence it. These include cognitive, emotional and cultural factors, all of which have a significant influence on behaviour
What is the PEEL paragraph for the biological approach evaluation point; problems for evolutionary explanations
P - because human behaviour can evolve through either genetic or cultural routes, a biologically based evolutionary explanation may have limited explanatory power
E - critics of such explanations claim that many established patters of human behaviour have purely cultural origins with no obvious survival value. For example, in many cultures, such as China and parts of India, sex ratio at birth is strongly biased in favour of males
E - this cultural preference for sons has resulted in sex-selective abortion or the withholding of resources from daughters. Unlike behaviours shaped by biological evolution, which change very gradually over many generations, behaviours shaped by cultural evolution can change more rapidly.
L - in China, a consequence of the more rapid change possible through cultural evolution is that there has been a change in public attitudes towards girls and a reduction in the widespread cultural preference for sons
What is the PEEL paragraph for the biological approach evaluation point; the dangers of genetic explanation
P - recent research suggesting a genetic basis for criminal behavior has led to concerns about how this information might be used
E - critics claim this may lead to genetic screening of the population to identify this genetic susceptibility and subsequent discrimination against those with a predisposition to criminality
E - this also creates the danger that genes might then be used as convenient explanations for complicated human behaviour, despite the fact that the connection between genes and complex behaviour such as criminality is far from straightforward
L - however, there may be positive consequences for such research. If individuals discover they have a genetic predisposition for criminality or a mental disorder such as schizophrenia, tis gives them the opportunity to avoid environmental situations likely to trigger this predisposition, or to develop coping skills that would protect them from its influence
