The Biological approach Flashcards
Who was Phineas Gage, and how did he contribute to the biological approach?
Phineas Gage, whilst working on a rail line, experienced a drastic accident during which a piece of iron went through his skull.
Although Gage survived this ordeal, he did experience a change in personality such as loss of inhibition and anger.
This change provided evidence to support the theory of localisation of brain function, as it was believed that the area of the brain that the iron stake damaged was responsible for personality
What is the Biological approach?
A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function,
What are some medicines that can help with mental diseases/disorders?
Antidepressants - serotonin
Antianxiety - Regulated GABA
Antipsychotic -regulating dopamine and serotonin.
What are the strengths of the biological approach?
One strength of the biological approach is that it has real-life applications, as it helps with the development of medicines to treat and help people with mental health illnesses
What are the weaknesses of the biological approach?
One limitation of the biological approach is that causal conclusions about neurotransmitters are difficult to establish. Which means that associations between synapses and mental health problems are made into reasons.
A methodological problem with this approach is that it is difficult to separate nature and nurture.
Another limitation of the biological approach is that it is based on a determinist view of behaviour. The approach sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes that we have no control over. However, this is at odds with the legal system, which sees offenders as responsible for their own actions. This could lead to research into a ‘criminal gene’.
What is a phenotype?
The characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment.
What is a Genotype?
The particular set of genes that a person possesses.
What are Genes?
They make up chromosome and consist of DNA which codes the physical (eye colour, height) and psychological (mental health disorder, intelligence) features of an organism. These are inherited by offspring from their parents.
What are Biological structure?
They are an arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ, system or living thing.
What is Neurochemistry?
It relates to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning.
What is Evolution?
It is the changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations.
What are the three basic assumptions to the biological approach?
Biological psychologists examine certain aspects of the body and their influences on behaviour:
1. Genetics
2. Genotypes and phenotypes
3. Evolution
Example of concordance rates in schizophrenia
Gottesman (1991), Suggests that only 48% oh MZ twins are likely, and only 17% od DZ twins are likely
Example of concordance rates in Bipolar depression
Craddock & Jones (1999), Suggests that only 40% oh MZ twins are likely, and only 5-10% of DZ twins are likely
Example of concordance rates Anorexia nervosa
Walters & Kendler (1995), Suggests that only 23% oh MZ twins are likely, and only 9% od DZ twins are likely
