The Biological Approach Flashcards
Why has the biological approach gained prominence in recent years?
Due to advances in technology such as the development of brain scanning techniques and increased understanding of the genetic basis of behaviour
Define - biological approach
A perspective which emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body - such as inheritance and neural function
Define - genes
They make up chromosomes and consist of DNA - which codes the physical features of an organism . Genes are inherited
Define - biological structure
An arrangement / organisation of parts to form and organ , system , living thing
Define - neurochemistry
Relates to chemicals in the brain which regulate psychological functioning
Define - genotype
Particular set of genes that a person has
Define phenotype
The characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment
Define evolution
The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
What does the biological approach suggest?
That everything psychological is at first biological so to fully understand human behaviour, we must look to biological structures and processes within the body
From the biological perspective where is the mind?
In the brain - meaning all thoughts, feelings and behaviour ultimately has a physical basis
How does the biological perspective of the mind contrast to the cognitive approach?
The cognitive approach sees the ,metal processes of the mind being separate from the physical brain
What does much of our thought and behaviour rely on?
Chemical transmission in the brain which occurs using neurotransmitters
What does and imbalance of neuro-chemicals in the brain a cause of?
A possible cause of mental disorders
What do low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin cause
OCD
What does overproduction of dopamine cause?
Schizophrenia
What is a persons genotype?
A persons actual genetic make-up
What is the phenotype?
The way genes are expressed through physical , behavioural and psychological characteristics.
What did Darwin propose the theory of ?
Natural selection
What is the main theory of natural selection ?
Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individuals survival (and reproduction) will continue in future generations
Strength - what is a real world application of the biological approach?
Increased understanding of neuro-chemical processes in the brain is associated with the use of psychoactive drugs to treat serious mental disorders
What is the example of this real world application ?
The biological approach has promoted the treatment of clinical depression using antidepressants
How do antidepressants work?
They increase the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin at the synapses in the brain.
This means that people with depression may be able to manage their condition than be in hospital
What is a counterpoint of antidepressants?
They don’t work for everyone
A recent study by Andrea Cipriani compared 21 antidepressants and found a wide vary of effectivity.
This suggests that brain chemistry alone may not account for all cases, for example depression
What is another strength of this approach?
It uses scientific methods
The biological approach makes use of a range of precise and highly objective methods
What are examples of precise and objective brain scanning techniques ?
fMRIs and EEGs
What do the advances in technology allow?
It is possible to accurately measure physiological and neural processes in ways that don’t open up to bias
Why is this approach being determinist a weakness?
As it sees human behaviour as governed by internal , genetic causes - which we have no control but we have already seen that the way one’s genotype is expressed is heavily influenced by the environment
This suggests that the biological view is often too simplistic and ignored intervening effects if the environment
Critic of Darwin’s work, Karl Popper - what did he say?
It’s not possible to falsify the theory of natural selection as we cannot show evolution happening but others claim that basic principles are supported by fossil records
