The Biological Approach

Question 1

Give some assumptions of the biological approach

Answer 1

• everything psychological is at first biological (e.g. neurons,genetics), so to fully understand human behaviour, we must focus on biological structures and processes within the body
• the mind lives in the brain meaning that all thoughts, feelings and behaviours ultimately have a physical basis.
• much of human behaviour has a physiological cause which may be environmentally or genetically altered.
• emphasises the role of evolution - it is believed that all behaviour evolves the same way as physical characteristics through the process of evolutionary adaptation and natural selection
• the central nervous system and neurochemistry are important in explaining behaviour.

Question 2

What does the genetic basis of behaviour refer to?

Answer 2

the idea that genes can be responsible for behaviour (e.g. attachment), as well as for physical characteristics (e.g. eye colour).

Question 3

Give methods of investigating the genetic basis of behaviour

Answer 3

Twin studies
Family studies
Adoption studies
Selective breeding

Question 4

Describe twin studies

Answer 4

Psychologists are interested in studying twins in order to investigate the genetic basis of behaviour.
MZ twins (monozygotic) have a higher concordance rate than DZ (Dizygotic) twins because MZ twins share 100% of each other's genes.

Question 5

How are MZ monozygotic twins formed?

Answer 5

when a fertilised cell splits in to 2 and forms 2 separate embryos.

Question 6

How are DZ Dizygotic twins formed?

Answer 6

Formed when 2 separate eggs both become fertilised by different sperm cells.

Question 7

Describe family studies

Answer 7

Biological psychologists carry out family history studies in order to assess the influence of genes. They have shared environment.

Question 8

Describe adoption studies

Answer 8

Comparing a trait or characteristic between adopted children and their biological or adoptive parents.

Question 9

Describe selective breeding

Answer 9

• artificially selecting male and female animals for a particular trait.
• these animals are then put together in order to breed and produce offspring.

Question 10

What is neurochemistry and how does it influence behaviour?

Answer 10

The study of chemical processes, which take place in the nervous system. The focus for the study of neurochemistry and behaviour is synaptic neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin are essential transmission of nerve impulses across the synapse and are therefore involved in all aspects of behaviour.

Question 11

How do biological structures influence behaviour?

Answer 11

Different parts of the brain are responsible for different functions. Research has shown that in some mental disorders there are differences in brain structure.

Question 12

Define genotype

Answer 12

A person’s genetic makeup. Something you can’t change

Question 13

Define phenotype

Answer 13

Interaction between genotype and environment. Genes being expressed through an interaction with the environment.

Question 14

Give examples of genotype

Answer 14

Hair colour, shoe size

Question 15

Give examples of phenotype

Answer 15

Skin color.
Height.
Eye color.
Immune strength.
Metabolic rate.
Muscle tone.
Hormone levels.

Question 16

Give a good example of phenotype

Answer 16

Identical twins are a good example of the interaction between inheritance (genotype) and environment. They have the same genetic makeup and they look alike, but they may possess different phenotypes.

Question 17

What is evolution?

Answer 17

The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over a series of years.

Question 18

What 2 theories did Darwin propose to explain evolution?

Answer 18

1. SOTF

2. Natural Selection

Question 19

Explain SOTF

Answer 19

Members of species vary and those who are better equipped to find food or escape from predators are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.

Question 20

What is SOTF

Answer 20

Referring to those most suited (fitted) to their environment.

Question 21

Explain natural selection

Answer 21

Offspring inherit these characteristics that lead to the survival advantage and, over time, most members of the species come to possess the adaptive characteristics.