The biological approach Flashcards
What is the biological approach?
The belief that all aspects of psychological functioning can be explained in terms of biological structures
What are genes?
A section of DNA that codes for a certain characteristic
What is the genotype?
The genetic makeup of an individual
What is the phenotype?
The outward characteristics displayed by an individual
What is the phenotype an interaction of?
The genotype and the environment
How much DNA do monozygotic twins share?
100%
How much DNA do dizygotic twins share?
50%
What do twin studies show?
A genetic link
What is a concordance rate?
The percentage of twins that both exhibit a certain behaviour
What is the concordance rate for OCD?
MZ = 68%
DZ = 31%
What are the 2 parts of the nervous system?
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS)
What are the 2 components of the central nervous system?
The brain and the spinal cord
What can the peripheral nervous system be subdivided into?
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the somatic nervous system (SNS)
What is the largest part of the brain?
The cerebrum
What percentage of the brain does the cerebrum make up?
85%
What is the outer layer of the cerebrum called?
The cerebral cortex
What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?
High order functions
What are the 4 lobes of the brain?
Temporal, parietal, frontal and occipital
What is the frontal lobe responsible for?
Functions such as speech and thought
What is the parietal lobe responsible for?
Processing sensory information
What is the temporal lobe responsible for?
Memory and hearing
What is the occipital lobe responsible for?
Processing visual information
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers that are produced by endocrine glands
Where are hormones secreted?
Into the bloodstream
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemicals involved in synaptic transmission
What are the 2 types of neurotransmitters?
Inhibitory and excitatory
What are inhibitory neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters that stop a nerve impulse from being generated
What are excitatory neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters that increase the chance of a nerve impulse being generated
Give an example of an excitatory neurotransmitter.
Dopamine
Give an example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Serotonin
What does dopamine control?
Our drive/motivation
What does serotonin control?
Mood stability
Who proposed natural selection?
Charles Darwin
What is natural selection?
The process by which advantageous characteristics that improve chances of survival are passed down to offspring
How many species of animals did Buss study?
37
What did Buss find about female mate preference?
They preferred mates with resources
What did Buss find about male mate preference?
They preferred young and physically attractive mates
