The biological approach (Paper 2)

Question 1

What does it mean if a two zygotes are monozygotic

Answer 1

They are identical

Question 2

What does it mean if a two zygotes are dizygotic

Answer 2

They are fraternal (Non - Identical)

Question 3

What does the biological approach say about behaviour

Answer 3

All behaviour has a genetic basis

Question 4

What does the biological approach say about psychological characteristics

Answer 4

They are all inherited (E.g. Intelligence)

Question 5

What studies are used to investigate the genetic basis of behaviour

Answer 5

Twin Studies

Question 6

What is meant by concordance rate

Answer 6

The extent to which twins share the same characteristics

Question 7

What would provide evidence of a genetic basis in behaviour in a twin study

Answer 7

Higher concordance rates among identical twins (MZ) than non - identical twins (DZ).

Question 8

What does the biochemical explanation say about behaviour

Answer 8

Behaviour has a neurochemical basis

Question 9

What is neurochemistry

Answer 9

The actions of chemicals in the brain

Question 10

What could an imbalance in neurochemistry be a cause of

Answer 10

Some mental disorders e.g. underproduction of serotonin in OCD

Question 11

Give an example of how chemicals within the brain can effect our behaviour

Answer 11

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain and it is thought that over active dopamine receptors play a role in schizophrenia.

Question 12

What does the evolutionary explanation say about behaviour

Answer 12

Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival and reproduction will be passed on to future generations

Question 13

What are genes that enhance survival and reproduction described as

Answer 13

Adaptive. They give the possessor and their offspring advantages.

Question 14

Evaluate the biological approach based on its real world application (Strength)

Answer 14

One strength is its real world application.
Understanding of genetic and neurochemical processes in the brain has led to the use of psychoactive drugs to treat serious mental disorders.
E.g. drugs that treat clinical depression increase levels of serotonin at the synapse, reducing depressive symptoms.
Therefore, people with depression are able to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life rather than being confined to hospital

Question 15

Evaluate the biological approach based on how antidepressants do not work for everyone (Weakness) (After real world application A03)

Answer 15

However, antidepressant drugs do not work for everyone.
Cipriani et al, (2018) compared 21c antidepressant drugs and found wide variations in their effectiveness. Therefore, this challenges the value of the biological approach as it suggests that brain chemistry alone may not account for all cases of depression.

Question 16

Evaluate the biological approach based on biological determinism (Weakness)

Answer 16

One weakness is that biological determinism is demonstrated by the biological approach.
The belief all actions are predetermined by biological factors, has significant implications.
E.g. criminal behaviour is due to ‘criminal gene’. Could challenge legal principles.
Mental health issues suggested as being solely biological, imply people have no control over their conditions.
A cognitive soft determinist view that individuals can influence their own mental states and actions is more empowering.