The Biological Approach Flashcards
What does the biological approach focus on?
Combining biology & psychology to explain thoughts, feelings & behaviour in terms of physical factors.
What are the main assumptions for the biological approach?
-Human behaviour is influenced by genetics & the environment.
-Genes affect behaviour; genotype and phenotype which influence individual differences between people.
-Brain infections can play a role in mental illness.
Psychologists are determined to provide evidence for the ________ in which ________/________ are a product of ________ (genes).
Extent, behaviours, characteristics, inheritance.
What do genes carry?
Instructions for characteristics (e.g. IQ, personality).
What is a factor that affects gene development?
Environmental factors.
What is heritability?
The proprtion of variation in a trait amongst individuals that can be attributed to genetics.
The ________ a trait is influenced by ________ factors, the ________ the heritability.
More, genetic, greater.
Can genetics influence the risk of mental illnesses?
Yes.
What did Francis Galton say in 1869?
‘All natural abilities are inherited.’
How did Francis Coulton develop on his quote in 1869?
He said that any resemblance between family relatives could be a result of genes AND a shared environment.
Is there a suggestion of biological predisposition to addiction?
Yes.
What is disposition?
A genetic vulnerability to a characteristic (although the environment influences whether this behaviour is performed).
What is an example of predisposition?
One could be predisposed to be addicted to gambling (but moves to a country where gambling is illegal).
What is the scientific term for identical twins?
Monozygotic.
What is the scientific term for non-identical twins?
Dizygotic.
Identical twins (monozygotic) share ___% of their genes.
[EXPECTED]
100%.
Non-identical twins (dizygotic) share ___% of their genes.
[EXPECTED]
50%.
If one identical twin develops schizophrenia, the concordance rate is ___%.
What does this suggest?
48%.
There is a strong genetic explanation, although it can’t be the only factor (e.g. stressful life event).