The Biological Approach

Question 1

What is the Biological Approach?

Answer 1

It investigates how biological structures & processes within the body impacts behaviour

Question 2

Assumptions

Answer 2

1. The genes of an individual influences their behaviour
2. The brain is the main focus when explaining behaviour
3. Varying levels of chemicals found in brain & hormones are related to behaviour

Question 3

What are twin studies used for?

Answer 3

to determine the likelihood that certain traits are inherited from genetics by comparing concordance rates between the pairs ( the extent to which twins share the same characteristic)

Question 4

What are monozygotic twins?

Answer 4

twins born from the same fertilised egg that split - they share the same placenta and have 100% concordance rates since they have the exact same genes (identical)

Question 5

What are dizygotic twins?

Answer 5

twins born from separate fertilised eggs and don’t share a placenta - they have 50% concordance rates and are non identical

Question 6

What is genotype & phenotype?

Answer 6

genotype - an individual’s entire genetic makeup
phenotype - how the genotype is expressed into observable characteristics

Question 7

What does the genotype & phenotype illustrate to biological psychologists?

Answer 7

majority of human behaviour depends on the interaction between genetics (nature) and the environment (nurture)

Question 8

What was Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection?

Answer 8

Any gene that increases a species’ survival is passed onto future generations through reproduction so they are more likely to survive in their environment

Question 9

Evaluation: Scientific methods of investigation

Answer 9

• biological approach uses highly scientific methods to investigate genetic & biological basis of behaviour
• methods include: fMRI scans, family & twin studies and drug trials
• it’s possible to accurately measure biological processes through advances in tech without any bias
• biological approach is based on reliable data

Question 10

Evaluation: Real-life application

Answer 10

• increased understanding of biochemical processes in brain led to development of psychoactive drugs which treat mental illnesses like depression
• this is strength for biological approach since sufferers able to manage their condition & live a relatively normal life

Question 11

Evaluation: Casual conclusions

Answer 11

• biological approach offers explanations for mental illness in terms of neurotransmitters
• evidence comes from studies that show certain drug reduces symptoms of mental disorder
• discovering association between 2 factors doesn’t mean 1 is a cause
• limitation for biological approach since it claims to have discovered causes where only association exists

Question 12

Evaluation: Deterministic view of behaviour

Answer 12

• biological approach is determinist since it sees human behaviour governed by internal biological causes which we have no control over
• has implications for legal system & wider society
• one of the rules of the law is offenders are seen legally & morally responsible for their actions

Question 13

Evaluation: Can’t separate nature & nurture

Answer 13

• both types of twins & members of the family share similar genetics therefore biological approach argues any similarities in behaviour & appearance is genetic
• findings could also be easily supported by nurture rather than nature
• approach has difficulty accounting that DZ twins have higher concordance rates - this must be due to nurture since ordinary siblings also share 50% of their genes