The biological approach

Question 1

what is the biological approach

Answer 1

The biological approach emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function.

Question 2

The neurochemical basis of behaviour

Answer 2

Neurochemistry refers to chemicals in the brain that regulate biological and psychological functioning. This occurs using neurotransmitters. An imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain has been implicated as a possible cause of mental disorder. E.g. overproduction of dopamine in schizophrenia.

Question 3

The genetic basis of behaviour

Answer 3

Twin studies are used to investigate whether certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis, this is done by analysing concordance rates – the extent to which twins share the same characteristic. If a characteristic is genetic we would expect all MZ twins to be concordant as they share 100% of the same genes. Whereas in DZ twins, the same would not be true as they share only 50% of same genes.

Question 4

Genotype and phenotype

Answer 4

Genotype is the particular set of genes a person has. Phenotype is the characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment. Despite having the same genes, MZ twins phenotypes are expressed differently. This illustrates that much of human behaviour depends upon inherited factors and the environment.

Question 5

Evolution and behaviour

Answer 5

Evolution is the changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations. Charles Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection in which animals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on these traits.

Question 6

evaluation of biological approach (brief)

Answer 6

strength - real world application HOWEVER not successful for all patients
strength - reliable methods
weakness - causation

Question 7

strengths of biological approach

Answer 7

the biological approach has real world applications. Drug therapies have been developed for many mental illnesses based on research into neurotransmitters. Antidepressants work to increase serotonin levels in the brain due to the understanding of how low levels of serotonin contribute to depressive symptoms. Understanding abnormal neurochemical activity in the brain has also been helpful for providing patients with an explanation that their illness isn’t their fault. HOWEVER, antidepressant drugs are not successful for all patients. Cipriani compared 21 antidepressant drugs and concluded the effects of antidepressants were ‘mainly modest’. This challenges the value of the biological approach as it suggests that brain chemistry alone may not account for all cases of depression.

the biological approach utilises reliable methods of research. For example, some research into genetics and neurochemistry requires precise scientific methodology, such as fMRIs, PET scans and EEGs. These techniques provide psychologists with an accurate measure of internal processes that previously weren’t accessible. Therefore, this makes biological evidence less susceptible to misinterpretation or experimenter bias.

Question 8

weakness of biological approach

Answer 8

causation is often strongly implied in explanations that focus on brain structures. For example, one explanation of schizophrenia suggests a lack of activity in the ventral striatum is linked to development of negative symptoms such as avolition. This is an issues as this only tells us there is an association between brain structures and behaviour. Biological explanations are often based on correlational results, which doesn’t mean one event causes the other.