Biological approach to Psychology

Question 1

what are the key assumptions of the biological approach to Psychology

Answer 1

• brain activity = behaviour
• chemical imbalance = abnormality
• genetics influence behaviour
• brain structure influences behaviour
• behaviour = neurochemical events

Question 2

what types of research are used in the bio approach

Answer 2

• Animal studies
• Case studies
• Twin / Family studies
• Drug Therapies
• Brain Scans

Question 3

EVAL = strengths (reduced)

Answer 3

• scans = learn structure functions
• strong evolutionary debate
• more observable - scientific / empirical
• follows scientific methodology
• Falsifiable
• Objective

Question 4

what is the scientific method (aspects)

Answer 4

• empirical
• observable
• controlled
• replicable
• falsifiable
• objective

Question 5

how are animal studies beneficial

Answer 5

easily observable
ethically acceptable
evolutionary similarities

Question 6

EVAL = weaknesses (reduced)

Answer 6

• reductionist
• doesn’t explain conscious
• determinist - environmental influence?
• nature / nurture
• difficult to generalise - animal studies
• Twin Studies CR NEVER 100%
• Twin Studies - reared similarly - confounding variable - correlational

Question 7

Eval = treatments

Answer 7

treatments - WORK / side effects works best with CBT
chemo therapy
However - treats problem not cause
Psycho surgery - lobotomy works yet old and irreversible

Question 8

Proof = Genetics

Answer 8

without comp to DZ and MZ CR - stats are meaningless
DIATHESIS = gene can be triggered by environment influence

Question 9

proof = structures

Answer 9

schizophrenia = enlarged ventricles
OCD = Basal Ganglia
language = Broca’s area / Wernicke’s area

Question 10

proof = neurochemical

Answer 10

• inhibits / stimulates the neurone
  COMT GENE
• chemicals go from neurone - reach receptor site - excess dopamine - less enzymes - OCD

Question 11

proof = hormones

Answer 11

adrenaline - fight or flight