APPROACHES- Biological

Question 1

What are the main assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 1

-our thinking and behaviour are strongly determined by biological factors
-structure and functioning of the brain and nervous system
-genetics
-evolutionary factors and natural selection
-use a scientific approach to research such as lab experiments, brain scanning techniques, quantitative data and analysis, objectivity and reliability are essential
-predetermined behaviour

Question 2

What is a genotype?

Answer 2

collection of genes an organism has.

Question 3

What is a phenotype?

Answer 3

physical characteristics of an organism.

Question 4

What are examples of psychological characteristics?

Answer 4

-intelligence
-schizophrenia
-OCD
-some personality traits

Question 5

Does the biological approach come under nature or nurture?

Answer 5

Nature

Question 6

Why are twin studies used?

Answer 6

to determine the involvement of genetic factors

Question 7

What is the difference between MZ twins (monozygotic) and DZ twins (Dizygotic)?

Answer 7

-MZ have the same genes (one egg splits in two)
-DZ share only 50%of their genes (two eggs fertilized by two sperms)

Question 8

What does it mean if the concordance rate is higher in MZ twins than in DZ twins?

Answer 8

the characteristics are influenced by genetic factors

Question 9

What is the concordance rate?

Answer 9

the presence of the same trait in both members of a pair of twins

Question 10

Why is it very difficult to separate the influence of genetic factors and social/environmental factors?

Answer 10

-Very rare to find a concordance rate the 100% in MZ twins which means environmental factors are involved
-genes are predisposing factors rather than determining factors

Question 11

What does evolutionary psychology try to understand?

What is an example of this?

Answer 11

-human behaviour as a result of psychological;l adaption and natural selection
-this means that behaviours are genetically determined and passed on from generation to because they increase our chances of survival

attachment and aggression

Question 12

What did Van ljendoorn and kroonenberg (1988) find ?

Answer 12

attachment behaviour was similar across multiple cultures which shows that behaviour is influenced by genetic factors

Question 13

Why is attachment behaviour similar in humans and animals?

Answer 13

As we have common ancestors so we have passed on genes

Question 14

Human memory has evolved because it provides advantages. Why?

Answer 14

-Remembering locations for food and water,shelter and predators
-useful techniques for hunting

Question 15

Bowlby argued that attachment to a primary caregiver is adaptive. Why?

Answer 15

Food and comfort are the main reasons for attachment

Question 16

There is evidence to suggest that some mental disorders such as OCD and phobias have a genetic basis therefore these genes must have come adaptive advantage. Why?

Answer 16

Survival instinct- can recognise danger

Question 17

It could be argued that stress has evolved to have a survival advantage. Why?

Answer 17

Fight or flight response

Question 18

What are the 2 strengths of the biological approach?

Answer 18

-Scientific methods are a strength which are largely objective-accurately measure biological and neutral processes in ways not open to bias such as brain scanning and measuring biochemical levels, reliable

-Has real-world application, leading to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental illnesses however these are not effective for everyone but people can manage their condition and live a relatively normal life

Question 19

What are the 2 limitations of the biological approach?

Answer 19

-Determinist- human behaviour is governed by internal biological causes and don’t have control over their behaviour, certain genes such as MAOA can increase aggression

-It is difficult to separate nature and nurture when studying behaviour- does not take into account twins and family members are exposed to the same experiment, behaviour can be learnt through the environment or passed on through genes, reduces validity