the biological approach Flashcards
(21 cards)
what are the biological psychologists particularly interested in
the genetic basis of human behaviour, showing how some characteristics can be passed from generation to generation through the genes.
-also they have studied the importance of chemical changes in the nervous system and hormonal changes
what the mechanisms of hereditary
hereditary is the passing of characteristics from one generation to another though genes, and this is the reason why offspring ‘take after’ their parents
what is a genotype
the genetic code that is ‘written’ in the DNA of an individuals cells
what is a phenotype
is the physical appearance that results its this inherited information
many aspects of Human behaviour is under what control
neuronal control
- breathing
- eating
- sexual behaviour
what is the largest part of the brain
the cerebrum, making up 85% of the total mass of the brain
what is the cerebrum
the outer surface of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for many of the ‘high-order’ and functions such as language and thought.
- the cerebrum is divided into two half, the hemispheres, and then is further divided into quarters, the lobes.
what is the role of the frontal lobe
involved in functions such as speech, thought and learning
what is the role of the temporal lobe
involved with hearing and memory
what is the parietal lobes
involved in the processing of sensory information such as touch, temperature and pain
what is the occipital lobes
involved in the process of visual information
what type of neurotransmitter is dopamine
excitatory, that is associated with our ‘drive’ or motivation
what type of neurotransmitter is serotonin
an inhibitory, adequate amounts are necessary to maintain a stable mood
what are hormones
they are chemicals produced by the endocrine glands such as the pituitary gland, which together make up our endocrine system.
when are hormones released
in response to a brain signal, the hormones are secreted directly into the bloodstream by the endocrine glands, where they travel to ‘target cells’ and exert the influence by stimulating receptors on the surface of the inside of the cell
what does the presence of a hormone do to a cell
causes physiological reaction in the cell, altering the its activity
what is evolution
refers to the change over successive generations of the genetic make-up of a particular population. The central proposition of an evolutionary perspective is that the genotype of a population is changeable rather than fixes, and that this change is likely to be caused by the process of natural selection
what is natural selection
the process by which inherited characteristics that enhance an individuals reproductive success are passed on to the next generation, and so become more widespread in the population over time
what is neurochemistry
the study of chemical and neural processes associate with the nervous system
what is the supportive evaluation for the biological approach
-it uses a scientific method, particularly the use of the experiment method, as its main method of investigation.
Thus they are highly replicable, which adds validity of the original findings if they can be reproduced.
-a strength of the biological approach is that it provides Clear predictions, e.g. about the effects of neurotransmitter or the behaviour of people who are genetically related. This has led to significant applications to the real world. for instance the role of neurochemical imbalance in depression which has led to the development of drug treatments
what are the limitations of the biological approach
- it is reductionist, as it is broken down into small components such as genes, neurotransmitters and hormones. Critics argue that although the biological approach has a significant part in explaining some mental illnesses, they cannot fully understand all behaviour with out taking into account other factors that influence it, such as cognitive, emotional and cultural factors.
-the biological approach is deterministic. This is because genetic factors that have been associated with criminals has led to the belief that if someone has the same genetic factors then they have a predisposition to criminality, when they may never or have never done anything criminal.
However some psychologists argue that the predisposition to criminality or mental disorders, gives the opportunity to avoid environmental situation that may trigger this predisposition.
