The biological approach of psych Flashcards
What is a limitation of the biological approach
Point- people criticise Darwin’s work because it was unfalsifiable
Explain- however one may argue that that natural selection is supported by fossil records
Elaborate-natural selection is not able to predict what species we evolve into but provides adequate acount of post development
What is a strength of a biological approach
Point-uses scientific methods
Explain-to investigate both genetic and neurochemical factors, uses a wide range of objective methods eg scanning like FMRI
Elaborate:is Bases on objective and reliable data
Another strength of biológical approach
Point-real world application
Explain-understanding the neurochemical process of brain that has led to the use of drugs to treat serious disorders that increase seretonin and decrease symptoms
Elaborate-people can manage depression and live relatively normal life
What is the counter for real world application
Point-they don’t work for everyone
Explain- 21 depressants we’re Teseo and found a wide variation in their effectiveness
Elaborate-challenges is that it suggests brain chemistry alone may not account for all cases eg depression
What are the main assumptions
All behaviour has a physical cause , brain structure and functioning can influence behaviour
Behaviour is influenced by genes
What is a genotype
Individuales genetic makeup , can determine both physiological characteristics, each person has 100,000 genes
What is a phenotype
Physical appearance ( resulting affect from environment )
What is phenylketonuria
A double reccesive gene pair causes severe learning difficulties which not caught can be treated with a special diet free of amine
What is a concordance rate
A percentage of both twins displaying the same characteristics
What is evolution
The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
What is natural selection
Behaviours that enhance survival will continue in future generations
Another limitation of the biological approach
Point- it’s deterministic
Explain- see human behaviour as governed by internal genetics which we have no control over. However the genotype is expressed heavily in phenotype through the environment so not even ice it all twins will think the same
Elaborate- suggests biological view is too simplistic and ignores affects from the environment
What is the case of phineas gage( brain structure)
Point-evidence to support the role of the biological approach in explaining human behaviour
Explain- gage was in an accident and a steel pole bore through his left-cheek and out the top of his head.Gage was well balanced before the accident but after became ill tempered and hostile
Elaborate- this study supports the biological approach because it shows that the left frontal lobe is responsible for regulating temperament
What is Darwin’s theory of evolution
That may genetically enhanced behaviour would be leased onto future generations. Any adaptive genes give their offspring advantages. Eg in humans attachment behaviours occur in newborns , they are naturally selected
What is the case of tan( brain structure)
Point- evidence to support the role of explaining the biological approach in human behaviour
Evidence- he lost the power of speech and for 21 years he could only say the word tan. After his death there was an autopsy performed on his brain and found areas of damage In the left frontal lobe
Elaborate- supports biological approach because it shows that the left frontal lobe and broca area also responsible for speech production
