the biological approach Flashcards
what is a Genotype?
genetic codes for physical/ behavioural characteristics inherited from parents i.e. Hight (genetic testing)
what is a phenotype?
the expression of the characteristics (growing tall), this can differ from genotype due to environmental effects (diets)
what are twin studies ?
twins an either be monozygotic (mz) meaning identical twins or dizygotic (DZ) non-identical. MZ twins share 100% of their genes, the same as any sibling
what is a concordance rate?
is the likelihood of one twin having the characteristic if the other twin has the characteristic (a measure of correlation) e.g. in Mz twins blue eyes have a 100% concordance rate.
what does it mean?
if the concordance rate is higher in MZ twins than SZ twins it indicates a possible genetic component to behaviour
diathesis stress
suggesting a disorder is the results of the interaction between pre-existing vulnerability ( i.e. genetic genotype) and environmental stressors ( i.e personal loss, abuse, drug use
what is evolution?
the development of successive generations of natural organisms due to adaption to the environment
what is the theory of natural selection?
Darwin (1858) individuals in species vary due to genetic differences. Variances most suited to the environment give a survival and reproductive advantage. these genes are more likely to be passed to the next generations
what are inherited characteristics
these can be physical such as muscles, or behavioural adaptions such as fear responses
what is the evolutionary argument for relationships
people are attracted to characteristics that best possibility of reproductive success
what is aggression?
aggression is selected for survival advantage due to protection and the increased ability to gain resources
what is the endocrine system?
a chemical messaging system throughout the body. releases hormones that enter the blood stream. slower than the nervous system, but with longer lasting effects
what is the pituitary gland
known as the master gland, controls the release of hormones from other glands
what is the adrenal gland?
releases adrenaline/ noradrenaline as part of the fight or flight response. adrenal, e.g. increase heart rate, constricts blood vessels increasing rate of blood flow and raising blood pressure-diverts blood away from the skin, kidney and digestive system
what is the reflex arc
collection of cells that transmits information from the source, decide responses and make the responses happen
what is the sensory neuron
send information from the senses to the brain
what is the relay neuron?
relay neurons connects with other neurons, mostly found in the brain/CNS-analyse sensations, interpreting meaning, deciding responses. acts between the sensory and motor neurons
what are motor neurons
send messages along axons from the brain to the muscle/ effectors
what are neurotransmitters
these are chemical messages that work in the synaptic cleft. Neurotransmitter can be inhibitory (i.e. serotonin) making post synaptic neurons less likely to fire or excitatory (i.e. dopamine) making post synaptic neurons more likely to fire an impulse
what is summation?
the net effect of inhibitory and excitatory influence on the post synaptic neuron results in it being more or less likely to fire. if the net effects is excitatory the neurone will be more likely to fire. if the net effects is inhibitory the neurone will be less likely to fire
what is the nervous system?
the collection of nerve cells across the body that sends electrical messages
what is the peripheral nervous system ?
information from the senses across the body to the brain, decisions from the brain to the body
what is the central nervous system ?
contains the brain and the spinal cord. receives information, processes and makes decisions
what is biological determinism?
biological determinism is the idea that our behaviour is casually driven by internal natural processes and is predictable, there wee do not have free will to control our actions
what is biological reductionism?
biological approach attempts to reduce. the explanation for complex behaviours to simple biological elements. this is based on the scientific principle of parsimony, that complex phenomena should be explained in the simplest way possible
how does the biological approach relate to the nature/ nurture debate
approach fully supports the idea is due to the behaviour is due to the nature processes such as the influence of genes, neurotransmitters and brain structure, minimises the role of the environment such as cultural or social learning pressures on behaviour
how does the biological approach relate to to ideographic nomothetic approach
the biological approach takes in a quantitative scientific approach of studying large groups of people in an attempt to form general laws of behaviour that can apply across populations. this has led to effective drug treatments
strengths of the biological approach
- effectiveness of drugs created from the biological approach have helped people
- large number of empirical studies to back up biological theories.
