Biological approach Flashcards
1
Q
The Biological approach attempts to understand behaviour through …..
5 components
A
- Genes
- Nervous system
- Hormones
- The brain
- Evolution (Natural selection)
Run through each
2
Q
Define heritability
A
A measure of how well the differences in people genes account for differences in traits.
Genotype isn’t always expressed same way in all individuals.
2
Q
- 2 parts of the Nervous system
- 2 types of Neurotransmitters
- 2 Examples of hormones
And define
A
- CNS (Brain and Spinal chord)
- PNS (Peripheral) (somatic and autonomic)
- Excitatory neurotransmitters e.g. Dopamine - involved in reward)
- Inhibitory neurotransmitters e.g. Seretonin - Involved in mood stabillity
- Testosterone - male sex hormone
- Cortisol - stress response
PNS is extention of CNS
3
Q
What are the 6 subdivisions of the brain and their basic role
+ name for outer area of brain?
A
- Frontal lobe - Executive functions
- Motor cortex - Movement
- Sensory cortex - Sensation
- Pareital lobe - Perception (processes sensory information)
- Occipital lobe - Processes visual information
- Temporal love - Hearing and memory.
Cerebral cortex
4
Q
Briefly outline the process of natural selection
A
- Organisms adapt to environment
- Organisms with advantagous adaptations survive and reproduce
5
Q
2 Pros/Cons of Biological Approach
A
- Scientific method - systematic, highly controlled - objective
- Provides clear, testable predictios - treatments have been developed and tested. e.g. SSRIs
- Reductionist - tries to explain mental illnesses in am oversimplified way.
- Could result in ethical issues - embryonic screening/genetic “excuse” for criminal behaviour.