The Biological Approach Flashcards
What is the biological approach?
This approach assumes all behaviour has a biological origin. It insists that to comprehend behaviour fully it is necessary to understand internal biological structures and processing including genes, the nervous system and neurochemistry.
What is the influence of genes?
Genes are passed on they carry information in the form of DNA which carries instructions for characteristics such as eye colour, intelligence. A persons GENOTYPE is their genetic makeup that is fixed from birth. A persons PHENOTYPE is the expression of their genes which leads to the observable characteristics of a person. The PHENOTYPE is influenced by both genetic inheritance and the interaction of this with the environment.
What is evidence of the influence of genes?
Those working within this approach have found evidence that some behavioural or psychological characteristics such as intelligence or psychological illness can be inherited in a similar way to physical characteristics such as eye or hair colour. Research in this area has used monozygotic twins because they share 100% of their DNA in comparison to dizygotic twins who share 50% of their DNA.
For example recent research has found that MZ twins have an increased concordance rate of developing schizophrenia compared to DZ twins. Other psychological conditions are also influenced by genes.