The Biological Approach Flashcards
What does the biological approach deal with?
The influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour
What do genotype and phenotype cover?
The genetic basis of behaviour and evolution
In recent years why has the biological approach gained prominence?
Due to advances in technology such as the development of brain scanning techniques
Define the biological approach?
Perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neuro function
Define genes?
They make up chromosomes and consist of DNA which codes the physical features of an organism (eye colour and height) and psychological features (mental disorders and intelligence)
Where are genes transmitted from?
Parents to offspring (Sz for example is inherited)
Define biological structure?
An arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ system or living thing
Define neural chemistry?
Relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning
Define genotype?
The particular set of genes that a person possesses
Define phenotype?
The characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment
Define evolution?
The changes in inherited characteristics and a biological population over successive generations
What is the first biological assumption?
Everything psychological is at first biological, so to fully understand human behaviour we must look at biological structures and processes within the body such an genes, neurochemistry and the nervous system
What is the second biological assumption?
The approach investigates how biological structures and processes within the body impacts on behaviour
What is the third biological assumption?
Much of human behaviour has a physiological cause which may be genetically or environmentally altered
What is the fourth biological assumption?
Genes affect behaviour and influence individual psychological differences between people. Evolutionary psychology considers genetic influences in common behaviours
What is the fifth biological assumption?
Psychologists should study the brain, nervous system and other biological systems e.g hormones, chemicals acting on the brain
What is the sixth biological assumption?
The mind lives in the brain (in contrast to the cognitive approach which sees mental processes of the mind as being separate from the physical brain)
What are twin studies used for?
To determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates between pairs of twins
What does it suggest if monozygotic twins are found to have higher concordance rates than non identical twins for musical ability, schizophrenia ect?
This would suggest a genetic basis because monozygotic twins share 100% of each others genes whereas dizygotic twins share about 50%
What does behaviour genetics study?
Whether behaviour characteristics such as intelligence, personality and mental disorders are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics such as height and eye-colour
What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?
Genotype= a persons actual genetic makeup Phenotype= the way that the genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics
What is an example of the expression of genotype being inevitably influenced by environmental factors
Identical twins might look slightly different because one has exercised more or one has died their hair ect
What would many psychologists argue?
That interactions with the environment does have an impact on human behaviour
What did Charles Darwin propose in the 19th century?
The theory to explain evolution was natural selection (any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individuals survival will continue in future generations) - the trait gives the possessor some sort of advantage
What is an example of an animal adapting physically in response to its environment?
The long neck of the giraffe - its extra height of the giraffe gave the advantage of food that would not be available to shorter rivals
What are psychologists interested in more than physical adaptions?
The evolution of behaviour
What are some examples of behaviours that are seen in humans?
Memory - human memory evolved due to it providing advantages
Attachment - will be argued that attachment to a primary caregiver is adaptive
Mental disorders - evidence that some mental disorders such as OCD have a genetic basis
In order to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour what does the biological approach have to use?
A range of precise and highly scientific methods including scanning techniques such as MRI, family and twin studies and drug trials
What do advances in technology mean that its possible to do?
Accurately measure biological and neuro processes in ways that are not open to bias - making it reliable
What is the real life application of the biological approach?
Increased understanding of mental processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental illnesses such as depression - revolutionised treatment = sufferers able to manage condition and live a normal life
What is the casual conclusions limitation of the biological approach?
Claims to support mental illness in terms of the action of neurotransmitters in the brain - evidence comes from studies showing a particular drug to reduce symptoms of a mental illness - discovering an association between two factors doesn’t mean there is one. Claims to have found cures for things were only association exists
In what way is the biological approach determinist?
It sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control (ignores influence of free will on behaviour)
What are the implications of the deterministic view for the legal system and wider society?
One of the rules of law is that offenders are legally and morally responsible for their actions - the discovery of the criminal gene (if there was such thing) may complicate this principle
What does the biological approach argue due to identical twins , non-identical twins and family members having genetic similarity and what’s the problem with this?
Any similarities in the way that they look or behave may be genetic - important confounding variable = they are also exposed to different environmental conditions so findings can just as easily support nurture rather than nature
What does the biological approach have difficulty accounting for?
The fact that DZ twins often show higher concordance rates than ordinary pairs of siblings - likely to be explained by the influence of nurture as DZ and ordinary siblings both have 50% genes in common
What is a PET scan?
Shows which parts of the brain are active during different tasks - allow us to see where the brain is most active and link certain areas of the brain with certain functions
Shows average activity over 60 seconds not moment by moment
What is a CAT scan?
Detect damaged parts of the brain, tumours and blood clots. Brain structure is shown - not function
What is an MRI scan?
Detect small tumours and provide detailed information about structure
What is an fMRI?
Provide structural and functional information
What is a SQUID magnetometry?
Provides accurate images of brain activity by measuring magnetic fields generated when neurons are activated
Outside sources of magnetism can affect measurements
