The Biological Approach

Question 1

What does the approach assume that everything psychological starts as?

Answer 1

Everything psychological is at first biological.

Question 2

Where does the approach say the mind lives?

Answer 2

The mind lives in the brain.

Question 3

Human behaviour has a physiological cause that can be altered by which 2 factors?

Answer 3

Genetics and the environment.

Question 4

What is neurochemistry?
Give an example of a neurochemical.

Answer 4

The action of chemicals such as neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain.
For example, serotonin.

Question 5

What can happen if there is an imbalance in neurochemicals in the brain?

Answer 5

Imbalanced neurochemicals can lead to mental disorders, such as depression.

Question 6

What is genetic inheritance?

Answer 6

The idea that we get all of our genes from our parents.

Question 7

What are twin studies used to investigate?

Answer 7

Twin studies investigate whether certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis.

Question 8

What are concordance rates?

Answer 8

Numbers that show the extent to which twins share the same characteristics.

Question 9

If a characteristic is genetic, what would concordance look like between identical twins?
What percent of genes do these twins share?

Answer 9

If a characteristic is genetic, identical twins will be concordant, meaning they share 100% of the same genes for that characteristic.

Question 10

If a characteristic is genetic, what would concordance look like between non identical twins?
What percent of genes do these twins share?

Answer 10

Concordance rates are slightly lower in non identical twins because they share 50% of the same genes.

Question 11

What is genotype?

Answer 11

The genetic makeup you have that causes characteristics to display.

Question 12

What is phenotype?
Give the equation.

Answer 12

Phenotype is how you actually look. This is a product of genotype and environment.
Genotype + Environment = Phenotype
For example, you might have pale skin (genotype), however, because you spend time in the sun (environment), your skin looks tanned (phenotype).

Question 13

Describe the theory behind natural selection.

Answer 13

The idea that stronger animals who have the most desirable genes reproduce, while weaker animals die out, so the better genes are passed onto offspring, increasing their chances of survival. This removes ‘weaker’ genes from the gene pool.

Question 14

Explain the strength of the approach having real world application using the example of treating depression.

Answer 14

Our understanding of neurochemistry has enabled us to develop treatments for mental disorders such as depression. For example, we have been able to develop SSRI drugs that increase serotonin levels. This improves quality of life for people, meaning that they can live at home instead of in hospitals.

Question 15

Explain the strength of the approach using highly scientific methods, using the example of fMRI scans on London taxi drivers.

Answer 15

For example, the approach concerns use of objective, unbiased scanning techniques, such as fMRI scans. This has allowed researchers too discover that London taxi drivers have larger hippocampi than average due to the amount of information they have to remember. Unbiased data means that research is usually valid, improving the credibility of the approach.

Question 16

Explain the limitation of the approach being deterministic, using the example of genes, phenotype and identical twins.

Answer 16

For example, the approach says that our behaviour is a result of our genes, however, we know that we have free will and can choose how to behave. The approach even says that phenotype is a product of our environment. We also know that even identical twins who share 100% of the same genes do not behave exactly the same. This suggests that the biological approach is too simplistic, and ignores the mediating effects of the environment.

Question 17

Explain the limitation of the approach being reductionist, using the example of depression being caused by low serotonin.

Answer 17

For example, the approach would suggest that depression is caused by low serotonin only, and can only be treated with drugs. However, we know that factors such as life events can lead to depression, something that the approach ignores. This would also imply that mental health issues can’t be treated by therapies. This suggests that the approach is too simplistic.