The Biological Approach

Question 1

Assumptions

Answer 1

• everything psychological has a biological basis.
• our biology is determined by evolution & genetics.
• investigate the mind, we must investigate the physical brain.

Question 2

What does the biological approach state

Answer 2

Everything is at first biological, to study human behaviour we must first observe biological structures,

Question 3

Physical basis

Answer 3

the mind lives in the brain meaning all thoughts, feelings and behaviour has a physical basis, different to the cognitive approach that sees the mind as separate to the brain

Question 4

Genetic basis

Answer 4

Behaviour geneticists study whether behavioural characteristics (intelligence, personality) is inherited the same way as physical characteristics.

Question 5

Genetic basis of behaviour - Alleles DELETE

Answer 5

• different forms of the same gene in different people alleles.
• contribute to each persons unique features.

Question 6

Genotype

Answer 6

refers to the genes an organism has inherited. (eye colour)

Question 7

Phenotype

Answer 7

refers to the way genes are expressed through physical behaviour and psychological characteristics (shyness)

Question 8

twin studies

Answer 8

Used to determine the extent to which some characteristics have a genetic basis by comparing the extent to which both twins have the same characteristics.

Question 9

twin studies- concordance rate

Answer 9

Higher concordance rates between identical (monozygotic) twins than non (dizygotic) twins tend to be taken as evidence of a genetic basis

Question 10

what are monozygotic twins

Answer 10

• are identical & share 100% similarity of their genetic material

Question 11

what are dizygotic twins

Answer 11

• non-identical & share about 50% similarity of genetic material

Question 12

Natural selection

Answer 12

Proposed by Charles Darwin. States any genetic behaviour that enhances survival gets passed on to the next generation

They are called adaptive as they give the possessor certain advantages

Question 13

Strengths of biological approach

Answer 13

• supporting evidence of genetic explanation:
  twin studies, McGuffin conducted a twin study on depression & found a concordance rate for 46% MZ & 20% DZ
• Has real life applications increased understanding of the brain has led to the development of drugs that treat mental disorders