The biological approach

Question 1

What are the main assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 1

The biological approach assumes that all behaviours, thoughts and emotions have a physical basis and can be explained in terms of the workings of the brain, the effect of hormones, genetics and evolution.

Question 2

What is the evolutionary explanation?

Answer 2

Biological psychologists believe that evolution can explain the behaviours displayed by humans in our society today. The biological process of evolution leads to very gradual changes in the characteristics of a species.

Question 3

What is the genetic explanation?

Answer 3

The genetic explanation states that we inherit our genotype from our parents and that these genes can interact with environmental factors to display a set of characteristics known as our phenotype.

Question 4

What is gene mapping used for?

Answer 4

Gene mapping is used to determine the role of genes on our behaviour.

Question 5

What is gene mapping?

Answer 5

Uses advanced technology to identify common gene sequences amongst individuals with the same behaviours. Candidate genes can then be studied and their role investigated.

Question 6

For identical twins what is the risk of them developing schizophrenia when one is already diagnosed?

Answer 6

48%

Question 7

For non identical twins what is the risk of them developing schizophrenia when one is already diagnosed?

Answer 7

17%

Question 8

What is the neurochemical explanation?

Answer 8

The Neurochemical explanation states that our brain chemistry plays a causal role in our behaviour.
Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin affect out mood, our attention and subsequently our behaviour.

Question 9

What hormones do the glands that make up the endocrine system produce?

Answer 9

Testosterone and adrenaline

Question 10

What do hormones do in the neurochemical explanation?

Answer 10

Like neurotransmitters, they act as chemical messengers, but act on organs throughout the whole body

Question 11

How is the brain linked to our behaviour?

Answer 11

Research has shown that there are specific structures in the brain that are responsible for specific behaviours and processes

Question 12

What are the evaluation points of the biological approach?

Answer 12

• The biological approach is deterministic
• It is reductionist
• It is scientific
• Real life applications
• Difficulty untangling nature and nurture