The Biological Approach Flashcards
what is the main assumption of the biological approach?
thinking and behaviour are strongly determined by biological factors, specifically the structure and functioning of the nervous system, influenced by genetic and evolutionary factors
what is heredity?
the passing of characteristics from one generation to the next via genes
how do genes influence individual differences?
each person has a unique combination of genetic instructions, leading to differences in personality, intelligence and ablities
what do genes code for besides physical traits like eye colour?
genes code for the structure and functioning of the nervous system, including neurochemistry and neurotransmitter production
define genotype
genotype is the genetic code written in the DNA, representing the genetic makeup present in each cell of an individual
define phenotype
phenotype is the physical expression of an individual genotype, such as visible traits like eye colour
give an example of the difference between genotype and phenotype
phenylketonuria(PKU) is a genetic disorder (genotype) where the phenotype depends on diet; avoiding certain food leads to normal intelligence, while consuming them can cause severe learning difficulties
what does the PKU example show about genes and environment?
It demonstrates that characteristics depend on an interaction between nature (genes) and nurture (environment).
who proposed the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
what is natural selection?
its the process where traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in a population over time.
what is the focus of evolutionary psychology?
to explain mental and psychological traits, like memory and perception, as adaptation that increase survival chances
