The Biological Approach

Question 1

What is the biological approach

Answer 1

It suggests that behaviour is caused by internal biological systems
Behaviour and psychological traits are due to a genetic or biological cause

Question 2

Assumption 1: behaviour can be explained by neurotransmitters

Answer 2

NT are chemicals that are passed between neurons
NT are chemical,messengers (serotonin - affect both emotions and motor skills.
E.g . dopamine- controls bodily movements and emotion responses however too much leads to schizophrenia

Question 3

Assumption 2: localisation of the brain

Answer 3

• refers to the principle that certain areas of the brain are specialised for certain functions and behaviours
• the cerabral cortex can be divided into four sections which are known as lobes : frontal (thinking and creativity) parietal (sensory information), occipital (and temporal.
  E.g phineas gage went through a skull injury which changed his personality

Question 4

Assumption 3 : evolution

Answer 4

• behaviour can be learned through evolution
• evolution is the process where living organisms have developed form early history of the earth
  -e.g Darwin argues that evolution happens through natural selection
• to properly understand the mind we must understand the environment in which the brain evolved