The Biological Approach - The Role of Genetics

Question 1

What is the first of the three assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 1

Human behaviour can be explained by looking at biological factors such as hormones, genetics, evolution and the nervous system.

Question 2

What is the second of the three assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 2

If we can explain all behaviour using biological causes, unwanted behaviour could be modified or removed using biological treatments such as medication for mental illness.

Question 3

What is the third of the three assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 3

Experimental research conducted using animals can inform us about human behaviour and biological influences, because we share a lot of biological similarities.

Question 4

How many chromosomes are in the human body?

Answer 4

At conception, the egg and sperm join up to give a total of 46 chromosomes.

Question 5

What is each chromosome made up of?

Answer 5

Each chromosome is made up of a coil of DNA, which in turn is made up of loads and loads of genes.

Question 6

What are genes?

Answer 6

Genes are part of a chromosome and contain DNA that codes for physical and psychological features; inherited from parents.

Question 7

What do genes contain?

Answer 7

The genes contain the information that makes us unique in appearance (e.g. hair, skin and eye colour).

Question 8

How are genes relevant in psychology?

Answer 8

Genes are relevant in psychology, as they are important in the development of the brain, and therefore have a role in our behaviour.

Question 9

What is evolution?

Answer 9

Evolution is the gradual change in inherited traits of a species over many generations, through adaption to the environment, natural selection, and survival of the fittest.

Question 10

What is natural selection?

Answer 10

Natural Selection is the way that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances the ability to survive and reproduce will continue in future generations.

Question 11

What does Darwin’s theory of evolution suggest to those who are better adapted to their environment?

Answer 11

Darwin’s theory of evolution suggests that over time, individuals who are better adapted to their environment through having better genes are more likely to survive to reproduce and pass on their useful genes.

Question 12

What does Darwin’s theory of evolution suggest to those who are less well-adapted to their environment?

Answer 12

Those who are less well-adapted will be less likely to survive to reproduce and pass on their genes. Eventually, their less useful genes will be eliminated from the gene pool of that species.

Question 13

What is a gene pool?

Answer 13

A gene pool refers to all of the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species.

Question 14

What happened to early humans through the process of natural selection?

Answer 14

Through the process of natural selection, early humans became better adapted to their environments.

Question 15

Why may have behaviours such as phobias and aggression evolved?

Answer 15

Behaviours such as phobias and aggression may have evolved because of the survival advantage they gave.

Question 16

What is a genotype?

Answer 16

The genotype of a person refers to the particular set of genes that a person possesses (their genetic makeup); the information that is contained in their genes.

Question 17

What is a phenotype?

Answer 17

The phenotype of a person is the physical characteristics their genes produce - for example, hair colour, eye colour, etc and it is an expression of the genotype and it’s interaction with the environment.

Question 18

What are faulty genes know to cause?

Answer 18

Faulty genes are known to cause some diseases that have psychological effects, e.g. Huntington’s disease that leads to a deterioration of mental abilities.

Question 19

What do biological psychologists reckon genetics can explain?

Answer 19

Biological Psychologists reckon that genetics can explain “psychological traits”. These are things like gender behaviour (things that men and women do differently), intelligence, personality and sexual orientation.

Question 20

What are concordance rates?

Answer 20

Concordance rates are the degree of genetic similarity for a particular trait (e.g. OCD).

Question 21

What are neurotransmitters?

Answer 21

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit or pass information between neurones.

Question 22

What does the biological approach say about the mind and the brain?

Answer 22

The biological approach says that the mind and the brain are the same.

Question 23

What are monozygotic twins?

Answer 23

Monozygotic (MZ) twins are identical twins and share 100% of their genes and DNA.

Question 24

What are dizygotic twins?

Answer 24

Dizygotic (DZ) twins are non - identical and DO NOT share 100% of their genes and DNA

Question 25

How do researchers study twins to investigate the role of genetics in behaviour?

Answer 25

Researchers compare **monozygotic twins** with **dizygotic twins** and if the **concordance rates** are higher for **MZ twins** than **DZ twins** it suggests that it is **genetic** as usually **MZ twins** are **more genetically similar** than **DZ twins**.

Question 26

How have identical twins been used in research about schizophrenia?

Answer 26

**Schizophrenia** is a **mental illness**. **Twin studies** and **adoption studies** have highlighted the possible role of **genetics**. **Identical twins (monozygotic twins) share **100%** of their **genes**. So in theory, if **schizophrenia** has a purely **genetic basis** and if **one twin** suffers from **schizophrenia**, then the other **twin** will too. **Non - identical twins** share **50%** of their genes, so the risk of both suffering should be **lower**.

Question 27

What is the name of the study on how twins relate to schizophrenia?

Answer 27

**GOTTESMAN (1991) - A META - ANALYSIS OF TWIN STUDIES**

Question 28

What were the methods and results of the meta - analysis of twin studies?

Answer 28

**METHOD** = **Gottesman** carried out a **meta-analysis** of approximately **40 twin studies**. **RESULTS** = It was found that having an **identical twin** with **schizophrenia** gave you a **48%** chance of developing the condition. This reduced to **17%** in **non - identical twins**.

Question 29

What was the conclusion of the meta - analysis of twin studies?

Answer 29

**CONCLUSION** = **Schizophrenia** has a strong **genetic basis**.

Question 30

What was the evaluation of the meta - analysis of twin studies?

Answer 30

The **meta - analysis** was carried out on field studies, giving the research **high ecological validity**. Because **identical twins** share **100%** of their **genes**, it might be expected that **both twins** would always suffer from the **same conditions**. The fact that **both twins** had developed **schizophrenia** in only about **half** of the cases means that **another factor** must also be involved. **Identical twins** tend to be treated more similarly than **non - identical**, and so the **family environment** might play a large role.

Question 31

How have adoption studies been used in research about schizophrenia?

Answer 31

**Adoption studies** have also provided evidence for a **genetic basis** of **schizophrenia**.

Question 32

What is the name of the study on how adoptions relate to schizophrenia?

Answer 32

**HESTON (1966) - AN ADOPTION STUDY OF SCHIZOPHRENIA**

Question 33

What was the method of the adoption study of schizophrenia?

Answer 33

**47 adopted children** whose **biological mothers** had **schizophrenia** were studied. The control group consisted of **50 adopted children** whose **biological mothers** didn't suffer from **schizophrenia**. The children were followed up as adults and were interviewed and given **intelligence** and **personality tests**.

Question 34

What were the results and conclusions of the adoption study of schizophrenia?

Answer 34

**RESULTS** = Of the following **experimental group**, **5** of the **47** became **schizophrenic**, compared to **0** in the **control group**. Another **4** of the **experimental group** were classified as **borderline schizophrenic** by the raters. **CONCLUSION** = The study supports the view that **schizophrenia** has a **genetic basis**.

Question 34

What was the evaluation for the adoption study of schizophrenia?

Answer 34

Interview data can be unreliable and affected by **social desirability** bias. However, interviews are a good way of getting data in a **naturalistic way**. The **adopted children** whose **mothers** **didn't suffer** from any **conditions** might have not shown any symptoms of **schizophrenia yet** - it can't be completely ruled out.

Question 35

How does neurochemistry link to the biological approach?

Answer 35

**Neurochemistry** is all about the **nervous system** and **neurotransmitters**. The **biological approach** looks at the role they might play in **explaining behaviour**.

Question 36

What can too much or too little of a particular neurotransmitter do?

Answer 36

**Too much** or **too little** of a particular **neurotransmitter** may produce **psychological disorders**, e.g. an increased level of **dopamine** is linked to **schizophrenia - like symptoms**.

Question 37

What do some biological psychologists investigate?

Answer 37

Some **biological psychologists** investigate the impact **neurotransmitters** have on **behaviour**.

Question 38

What are the strengths of the biological approach?

Answer 38

**STRENGTHS:** 1) The **approach** can provide **evidence** to **support** or **disprove** a **theory** - it's a very **scientific approach**. 2) If a **biological cause** can be found for **mental health problems** or for unwanted **behaviour** such as **aggression**, then **biological treatments** can be developed to **help** individuals.

Question 39

What are the weaknesses of the biological approach?

Answer 39

**WEAKNESSES:** 1) The **approach** doesn't take into account the influence of **people's environment**, their **family**, **childhood experiences** or their **social situation**. **Other approaches** see these as being **important factors** in explaining **behaviour**. 2) Using a **biological explanation** for **negative behaviour** can lead to **individuals ** or **groups** avoiding taking **personal** or **social responsibility** for their **behaviour**.