The Biological Approach

Question 1

What are the Assumptions of the Biological Approach?

Answer 1

• Everything Psychological is first biological
• focuses on the neurochemical and genetic basis of behaviour

Question 2

What is the neurochemical basis of behaviour?

Answer 2

• Much of our thought and behaviour relies on chemical transmission in the brain, occurs using neurotransmitters
• Imbalance of neurochemicals refers to mental disorders e.g low serotonin in OCD and high dopamine in Schizophrenia

Question 3

What is the genetic basis of behaviour?

Answer 3

• psychological characteristics are inherited similarly to physical characteristics e.g Twin studies are used to investigate using concordance rates
• If a characteristic is genetic we would expect monozygotic twins to share it whereas dizygotic twins are not guaranteed as they share 50% of genes

Question 4

What is a genotype and what is a phenotype?

Answer 4

• genotype is actual genetic makeup whereas phenotype is the ways said gene is expressed physically, psychologically or behaviourally
• identical twins have same genotype yet different phenotype
• nature and nurture play a role

Question 5

Evolution and behaviour?

Answer 5

• Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection which suggests any genetic behaviour that enhances an individuals ability to survive and reproduce will be passed down

Question 6

How does the Biological Approach apply to the real world?

Answer 6

• increased understanding of neurochemicals in the brain is associated with the use of psychoactive drugs to treat mental health disorders e.g SSRI’s treat depression by increasing serotonin in the synapse

Question 7

What is one limitation of the biological approach?

Answer 7

• determinist, human behaviour governed by internal/genetic influences, ignoring the influence of free will, also doesn’t align with societies idea of a morally responsible person, can behaviour be excused by arguing it is involuntary?

Question 8

What is a strength of the biological approach regarding validity?

Answer 8

• uses highly objective and scientific methods of investigation when conducting research e.g fMRIs and EEGs - based on objective and reliable data