The Biological Approach

Question 1

Genetic variation

Answer 1

The genetic differences between individuals. It contributes to a species’ adaptation to its environment.

Question 2

DNA

Answer 2

• Deoxyribonucleic acid
• Long strings of genetic material
• Made up of many genes

Question 3

Alleles

Answer 3

Different variations of a single gene.

Question 4

Phenotype

Answer 4

Physical characteristics of the offspring.

Question 5

Genotype

Answer 5

The genetic material from your parents.

Question 6

What is our phenotype a product of?

Answer 6

Genetic and environmental influences.

Question 7

What are genes associated with?

Answer 7

Temperament
Depression
Schizophrenia

Question 8

Heston (1966) outline of the study

Answer 8

• A study looking at adoptees and assessing development of schizophrenia depending on whether their biological mothers has schizophrenia and whether they were brought up in a disturbed or healthy family environment.

Question 9

Heston (1966) findings of the study

Answer 9

• 36.8% of adoptees with a high genetic risk (bio mothers had schizophrenia) and were raised in a disturbed family environment were likely to develop the disorder
• Adoptees with a high genetic risk but were brought up in a healthy family environment had a 5.8% chance of developing schizophrenia
• Evidence that genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of psychological disorders.

Question 10

Evolutionary psychology

Answer 10

Predict the outcome of a behaviour in a particular situation based on evolutionary theory and then make observations or conduct experiments to determine whether the results match the theory

Question 11

Limitation of evolutionary psychology

Answer 11

• These studies are not strong evidence that a behaviour is adaptive as they lack evidence that the behaviour is in some part genetic and not entirely cultural.
• We have a poor understanding of the environmental and social conditions in the past in which we evolved so it is hard to make predictions

Question 12

Parts of the biological approach

Answer 12

• Genetic explanations
• Role of neurotransmitters
• Role of hormones
• Brain structures

Question 13

Neuro

Answer 13

Relating to nerves or the nervous system

Question 14

Peripheral

Answer 14

On the outskirts/outer parts of

Question 15

Cortex

Answer 15

An outer layer of tissue, for example the cover of the brain

Question 16

Strengths of the biological approach

Answer 16

• Good testability due to the fact it follows the scientific method allowing for reliable and valid data
• Allows for the development of biological treatments making the approach useful and applicable

Question 17

Weaknesses of the biological approach

Answer 17

• There is a lack of insight into environmental factors such as family life, social status, and their childhood
• Some think that if there is a biological explanation for behaviour (e.g. aggression linked to criminal acts) it can allow people the excuse not to take responsibility for their behaviour

Question 18

Strengths of the biological appproach

Answer 18

• Supporting evidence e.g. twin studies
• Scientific method

Question 19

Limitations of biological approach

Answer 19

• Deterministic - ignores free will - behaviour is caused by factors outside of our control
• Reductionist - reduces behaviour down to just physical processes ignoring the role of the environment
• Biological processes alone are not a complete explanation for behaviour - diathesis stress response explanations include both biological and environmental factors