the biological approach: evaluation

Question 1

what does it mean when we say that the biological approach has scientific methods of investigation

Answer 1

in order to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour the biological approach makes use of a range of precise and highly scientific methods

e.g.scanning techniques such as fMRIs and EEGs, family and twin studies,and drug trails

With advances in technology, it is possible to accurately measure and biological and neural processes in ways that are not open to bias

This means that biological approach is based on reliable data

Question 2

what real- life application does the biological approach have

Answer 2

increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental illnesses e.g. depression

Although the drugs are not effective for all patients, they have revolutionised treatment for many

This is a strength of the biological approach because it means that sufferers are able to manage their condition and live relatively normal life, rather than remain in hospital

Question 3

the biological approach cannot separate nature and nurture

Answer 3

identical twins, non - identical twins and members of the same family all have genetic similarities

Therefore, the biological approach argues:

any similarities in the way that they look or behave must be genetic

However, there is an important confounding variable
They are also exposed to similar environmental conditions. This means that findings could just as easily be interpreted as supporting nurture rather than nature

This approach also has difficultly accounting for the fact that, in research studies DZ studies often show higher concordance rates than pairs of ordinary siblings despite both having 50%

Question 4

Casual conclusions a counter argument to the real- life application strength

Answer 4

The BA offers an explanation for mental illnesses in terms of the action of neurotransmitter in the brain

The evidence for this relationship comes from studies that show a particular drug reduced symptoms if a mental disorder and thus it is assumed that the neurochemical in the drug causes the disorder

However, discovering an association between two factors does not mean that one is a cause

This is a limitation because the biological approach is claiming to have discovered causes where only an association exits