The Biological Approach

Question 1

What is the biological approach ?

Answer 1

Combination of psychology and biology

Tries to explain how we think, feel and behave in terms of physical factors in the body

Question 2

Assumptions of the biological approach

Answer 2

• human behaviour has a strong biological cause
• genes affect behaviour
• nervous system, hormones and neurotransmitters affect behaviour
• structures and function of the brain affect behaviour
• infections of the brain play a role in mental illness

Question 3

What does the biological approach suggest affects behaviour

Answer 3

• genetics
• nervous system
• brain structure
• evolution

Question 4

genetic basis of behaviour- with differ from each other due to our genes

Answer 4

Genetics is shown to affect our IQ and risk of developing a mental illness

Question 5

Define heritability

Answer 5

The amount of variation in a trait (behaviour) within a population which can be attributed to genetics.
The more a trait is affected by genetics the greater the heritability.
Simply - how much a gene affects behaviour.

Question 6

what methods are used for investigating genetics

Answer 6

• twin studies
• family studies
• adoption studies
• selective breeding

Question 7

how do biological structures affect behaviour ?

Answer 7

• varied levels of neurotransmitters can lead to symptoms of mental illness
• lots of behaviour is under neural control

Question 8

how does neurochemistry

Answer 8

• hormones regulate processes in the body
• hormones have been linked to behaviour e.g. testosterone linked to aggression
• excitatory NT’s stimulate the brain
• inhibitory NT’s calm the brain and balance the mood

Question 9

how does phineas gage support that biological structures affect behaviour ?

Answer 9

he survived an accident when an iron rod went through his brain. He survived but his whole personality changed which shows brain structure affects behaviour

Question 10

What research methods did the biological approach use ?

Answer 10

• lab experiments
• observations
• brain recording and scanning

Question 11

What is a genotype

Answer 11

A persons genetic make-up for POTENTIAL characteristics

Question 12

What is a phenotype

Answer 12

Observable characteristics in an individual which depend on the interaction of genetic make-up and environmental factors

Question 13

How much DNA do identical twins share and why is that relevant to studies

Answer 13

Identical twins share 100% of DNA (genotype) but they can possess different phenotypes as they have differences in their experiences and environment

Question 14

How does evolution affect behaviour ?

Answer 14

• suggests some behaviours are genetically determined and passed on through generations, these are behaviours that increase our chances of survival (natural selection)
• we carry some characteristics and traits that would have been beneficial for survival in our ancestors

Question 15

Strengths of the biological approach

Answer 15

• scientific approach
• we can find cause and effect of behaviour
• scientific method increases validity and reliability
• led to the development of treatments e.g. drug treatments
• measurements like scans are objective

Question 16

Limitations of the biological approach

Answer 16

• deterministic approach which suggests there is no free will
• is reductionist by stating all behaviour can be explained through biology
• dehumanising, as we are not unique individuals
• not all behaviour has a biological thought
• ignores environmental factors
• difficult to separate nature from nurture
• lab experiments lack ecological validity (how applicable it is to the real world)