The Biological Approach

Question 1

Assumption: The biological approach believes everything psychological is……….

Answer 1

At first biological

Question 2

Assumption: to understand human behaviour we have to………………

Answer 2

Look at biological structures and processes within the body

Question 3

Assumption: the mind lives……..

Answer 3

In the brain

Question 4

Assumption: all thoughts, feelings and cognitions have a…………

Answer 4

Biological basis

Question 5

What do behaviour geneticists study?

Answer 5

Wether behavioural characteristics are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics

Question 6

What do behaviour geneticists want to discover?

Answer 6

Whether certain behaviours have a genetic basis

Question 7

How can behaviour geneticists discover whether certain behaviours have a genetic basis?

Answer 7

Twin studies

Question 8

Using twin studies what is compared?

Answer 8

Concordance rates

Question 9

What type of twins are monozygotic twins and how much DNA do they share?

Answer 9

Identical twins share 100% of DNA

Question 10

What type of twins are dizygotic twins and how much DNA do they share?

Answer 10

Non-identical twins share 50% of DNA

Question 11

If a behaviour has a genetic basis would identical twins have higher or lower concordance rates?

Answer 11

Higher

Question 12

what is a concordance rate?

Answer 12

The likelihood that if one twin has a certain behaviour then the other will too

Question 13

What is a genotype?

Answer 13

A persons actual genetic makeup - the genetic code in the cells

Question 14

What is a phenotype?

Answer 14

The way the genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics

Question 15

What does the phenotype depend upon?

Answer 15

The genotype but it can also be influenced by environmental factors

Question 16

What is the expression of a genotype influenced by?

Answer 16

Environment

Question 17

What would many biological psychologists accept about human behaviour?

Answer 17

That much of our human behaviour depends upon interaction between inherited factors and the environment

Question 18

What is phenylketonuria?

Answer 18

A rare genetic disorder

Question 19

How does natural selection occur?

Answer 19

Because it gives the possessor advantages

Question 20

Why did human memory evolve?

Answer 20

Because it provided advanatages

Question 21

What did Bowlby argue about attachment?

Answer 21

That attachment to a primary caregiver is adaptive

Question 22

Evaluation: scientific methods of investigation

Answer 22

• scanning techniques such as fMRIs and EEGs
• family and twin studies
• drug trials

Question 23

Evaluation: real-life application

Answer 23

Understanding of biochemical processes has led to development of psychoactive drugs e.g. depression drugs

Question 24

Evaluation: casual conclusions

Answer 24

Explanations for mental illness: action of neurotransmitters in the brain
Evidence from studies shows a particular drug reduces symptoms of a mental disorder

Question 25

Evaluation: determinist

Answer 25

Sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control