The Biological Approach Flashcards
What must we focus on in the body if we want to study human behaviour biologically?
Genes / neurochemistry
How does the Biological approach contrast to the Cognitive approach?
It suggests the mind lives in the brain, meaning, all thoughts/ feelings/ behaviour have a physical basis.
What is neurochemistry and what can an imbalance of neurotransmitters be caused by? (Provide an example)
Neurochemistry — refers to the action of chemicals in the brain, neurotransmitters transmitting messages
Imbalance could be caused by some mental disorders, i.e underproduction of serotonin in OCD/ depression.
What is the genetic side to the Biological approach?
This refers to psychological characteristics (i.e IQ) being inherited from parents.
How are twin studies used in the Biological approach? What rates are calculated and what are the results?
They’re used to study genetic influences
Concordance rates between twins are calculated
Higher concordance rates among identical (monozygotic) twins, i.e 100% the same, and non-identical (dizygotic) twins, i.e around 50% the same
What are concordance rates?
The extent to which two things share the same characteristics, typically in twins.
What is the difference between genotype/ phenotype?
Genotype — actual genetic make up internally
Phenotype — how genes are expressed, behaviourally + psychologically, this is the expression of genotype, influenced by environmental factors.
Provide an example regarding the correlation between genotype and phenotype. What does this suggest?
E.g PKV is a genetic disorder that can be prevented by a restricted diet.
Suggests much of human behaviour depends on the interaction of nature/ nurture.
When was the theory of natural selection proposed and by who?
1859, Charles Darwin
What does the theory of natural selection suggest?
Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival/ reproduction will be passed on to future generations.
Such genes are adaptive/ give the possessor + their offspring advantages
Provide an example of natural selection
E.g attachment behaviours in babies promote survival, therefore adaptive/ naturally selected
What are the two strengths to the Biological approach?
It has real-world application
It uses scientific methods
Explain the strength to the biological approach that regards it having real-world application, provide an example and how does this help?
-understanding of neurochemistry in the brain has lead to using psychoactive drugs in the treating of mental disorders
-e.g drugs treat clinical depression increase serotonin in synapses + reduce negative thoughts
-this helps depressives manage and lead a relatively normal life.
Explain this strength to the Biological approach that regards it using scientific methods, and provide an example.
-uses precise/ objective methods to study genetic/ neurochemistry factors.
-e.g it includes scanning techniques i.e fMRIs, that assess non-biasly
-based on reliable + objective data
What is the counterpoint to the biological approach that contrasts the strength of it having real world application with neurochemistry? Who was the researcher and what did they find?
Antidepressants don’t work for everyone meaning this challenges the effectivity of The Biological Approach as brain chemistry may not account for every case of depression.
Capriani et al. (2018) compared 2 antidepressant drugs and found wide variations in their effectiveness.
What is the limitation to the Biological approach and what does this suggest?
The emanations are determinist, where human behaviour is seen to be governed by internal, genetic causes — we have no control.
However, phenotype is heavily influenced by the environment.
Suggests TBA is too simplistic + ignores mediational effects of the environment.
What are the two critical weaknesses to natural selection? What does this suggest?
— Popper claimed it isn’t possible to show evolution, only that it has happened (unfalsifiable)
— Other argue that Natural Selection is supported by fossil records (e.g gradual change in forms from dinosaurs to birds)
Suggests although NS can’t predict future of species, it provides an adequate amount of past development.
