The Biological Approach

Question 1

What are the key assumptions?

Answer 1

Everything psychological is first biological
To understand behaviour we have to look at biological structures amd processes in the body
An understanding of brain structure can explain our thoughts
All behaviour must have a physical basis.

Question 2

What is used to study genetic the basis of behaviour?

Answer 2

Twin studies as if identical (monozygotic) twins have higher concordance rates than non-identical (dizygotic) twins, this would suggest a genetic basis as identical twins share 100% of genes whereas non-identical share around 50%.

Question 3

What is believed about the genotype vs the phenotype?

Answer 3

A person’s genotype is their actual genetic make up whereas phenotype is the way it is expressed. They believe behaviour is based on interaction between inherited factors and the environment, for example because identical twins would still look different.

Question 4

What are the strengths of the Biological approach?

Answer 4

It uses scientific methods of investigation so the data is reliable
Practical application has lead to development of drugs.

Question 5

What are the weaknesses of the Biological approach?

Answer 5

It finds an association between low serotonin and OCD but doesn’t show that one causes the other
It is determinist and so suggests we have no free will
It cannot seperate nature and nuture and identical twins are likely to share a very similar environment which could be causing problems
It is reductionist and so may exclude key ideas.