The Biological Approach Of Human Behaviour Flashcards
Assumptions
-individuals genotype nd phenotype will determine how we behave
-psychal factors such as hormones, nervous system nd inheritance of genes can all explain our behaviour
Feature one
THE INFLUENCE OF GENES ON BEHAVIOUR
-behavioural characteristics such as intelligence,personality nd mental illness=genetically inherited same as physical characteristics e.g eye colour= behaviour will run in fam
-e.g genetic explanation argue OCD due to inheritance of one or many maladaptive genes SERT
-the closer the genetic link to someone with ocd the greater risk person would inherit ocd
-genetic probability of sharing b measured by concordance rates
Higher concordance rate=stronger evidence for genetic basis b
Shown in twin studies monozygotic twins = 87%
Dizygotic twin=47%
Genotype nd phenotype
-Genotype= specific type of genes individual inherit from biological parents nd unique to them
Can give a predisposition to disorders
-phenotype=product of what happens when genotype interacts with environment
Feature two
THE INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURE ON BEHAVIOUR
-biological structure is an organ such as brain,nervous sys or endocrine system
-brain= biological structure that influence b. Abnormalities in size shape or function in certain areas of brain can lead to certain behaviours
-e.g enlarged ventricles= inc likelihood of schrizoprenia or abnormal functioning of parahippocamapal gyrus
Feature 3
INFLUENCE OF NEUROCHEMISTRY ON B
-neurotransmitter is chemical messenger in brain in brain that passes info from one synapse to other to produce behaviour
-range of neurotransmitters in brain that communicate these messages when an imbalance can cause abnormal b
E.G
-Imbalance of neurotransmitters dopamine linked with development of schizophrenia
For example too much dopamine activity in central areas of brain been associated with symptoms of schizophrenia such as auditory hallucinations
Feature 4
EVALUATION AND BEHAVIOUR
-Charles Darwin crated a theory called natural selection
-theory suggests any genetically determined b that inc an individuals chances of survival nd reproduction will continue to be passed on to future generations e.g aggression trough genes
-individuals who posses certain beneficial traits will have inc chances of survival nd therefore pass on to offspring
-being aggressive in out ancestry been advantageous in terms of survival nd inc reproduction
-such as hunting food which would be attractive to a mate therefore b is naturally selected to pass on
-research one third or men have the “warrior “ gene which has been linked to aggressive behaviour
AO3 strength
P-practical application
E-principle of theory b caused by imbalance of neurotransmitters used to create treatments such as SSRI
E-effective in treating individual with disorders such as OCD nd depression by inc seratonin activity by blocking re uptake of seratonin leading to decreased anxiety
L-impo part of applied psych help treat ppl in real world
AO3 limitation
P-biological reductionism
E-app reduces complex human b down to simple basic units for e.g genes nd neurochemical such as imbalance of dopamine is linked to schizophrenia
E-neglects a holistic approach which would take into acc person culture nd social context
L-lack validity not allow us to understand in context