the biological approach Flashcards
What are the key assumptions for biological?
Views humans as biological organisms.
Explains human behaviour in terms of physical factors, including…
Genetics – assumes that behaviour is inherited and recognises the process of evolution.
The Central Nervous System (Brain and Spinal Cord) – explains behaviour in terms of the physical structure and functioning of the brain.
Biochemistry – Chemicals found in the brain (neurotransmitters) and body (hormones) are believed to influence reactions to the environment.
What is does heredity mean?
the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another.
Specific genes code for certain physical/mental characteristics.
What does genotype mean?
The genetic make-up of an individual, which provides the genetic code for how the individual will develop. Each individual is born with 23 pairs of chromosomes.
What does phenotype mean?
The observable characteristics of an individual; a consequence of the genotype interacting with the environment e.g. height can be affected by nutrition as well as genes.
Why is it useful to compare MZ and DZ twins?
If a behaviour has a strong genetic basis, then it should be more prevalent amongst MZ twins as they share 100% of their genes, whereas DZ twins only share 50% of their genes.
what does concordance rate mean?
the probability that a pair of individuals will both have a certain characteristic.If a behaviour has a purely genetic basis, then the concordance rate should be 100% amongst MZ twins.
What is the evolutionary process?
Over time, organisms ‘adapt’ to their environment.
A genetic mutation may occur randomly, causing a particular physical or psychological characteristic (e.g. intelligence, aggression) to be displayed.
Individuals compete with others for resources e.g. food, mates, and those who are successful are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing their genes (and those behaviours that enabled survival) down to the next generation.
What is natural selection?
(‘survival of the fittest’) - this characteristic may increase that individual’s chances of survival in their environment i.e. it has adaptive value
what is sexual selection?
(‘survival of the sexiest’) - the characteristic has reproductive value i.e. it helps them to gain access to a mate and reproduce
What is the endocrine system?
Maintains levels of hormones in the blood and other bodily fluids, using glands throughout the body. Hormones regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things.
What are hormones?
Chemicals produced by endocrine glands. Hormones are secreted directly into the bloodstream by the endocrine glands, where they travel to their ‘target cells’, stimulating receptors on or inside the cells.
What research demonstrates the effects of hormones on behaviour?
Dabbs et al. (1995) studied 692 male prisoners (by taking saliva samples) and found that violent offenders had higher testosterone levels than non-violent offenders. Inmates with higher testosterone levels also violated more rules in prison, especially rules involving overt confrontation.
What is the central nervous system?
spinal chord and brain
What is the cerebrum?
This is the largest part of the brain and makes up about 85% of the total mass of the brain.
The outer surface of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for the ‘higher-order’ functions, such as thought and language.
The cerebrum is split into two halves = hemispheres.
Each hemisphere is further divided into four different parts, known as lobes.
What is hemispheric lateralisation?
Each hemisphere has functional specialisations
