biological approach

Question 1

assumptions of the biological approach:

Answer 1

1) all human behaviour has a
biological origin (genes, the nervous system, and neurochemistry)

2) behaviour has evolved and human genes have evolved so we’re are more likely to survive

3) the best method to study people is the scientific method

Question 2

genes

Answer 2

segments of DNA molecules that code physical features

Question 3

neurochemistry

Answer 3

much of our behaviour relies on transmission of chemicals in the brain –
neurotransmitters

Question 4

neuroanatomy

Answer 4

the anatomy of the nervous system
(e.g. brain, spinal cord)

Question 5

genotype

Answer 5

your actual genetic make-up

Question 6

phenotype

Answer 6

the physical expression of a genotype

Question 7

evolution

Answer 7

the change in the characteristics of biological populations over successive generations

Question 8

neurotransmitter

Answer 8

chemical messengers that transmit nerve impulses across the synaptic gap

Question 9

what do behaviour geneticists study?

Answer 9

whether behavioural characteristics
(eg: mental disorder) are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics

Question 10

what are twin studies used to determine and how?

Answer 10

the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates between pairs of twins

Question 11

define concordance rated

Answer 11

the extent to which both twins share the same characteristic

Question 12

how can monozygotic twins and dizygotic twins be used to discover genetic basis?

Answer 12

-if identical twins are found to have higher concordance rates than non-identical twins this would suggest a genetic basis
-this is because MZ twins share 100% of each other’s genes, whilst DZ twins share about 50%

Question 13

how are monozygotic twins born?

Answer 13

a fertilised cell splits into two and forms two separate embryos

Question 14

how are dizygotic twins born?

Answer 14

two separate eggs both become fertilised by different sperm cells at the same time

Question 15

what should the concordance rates between MZ twins be if a particular characteristic is a genetic one?

Answer 15

100%, lower for dizygotic twins

Question 16

family studies

Answer 16

involve finding out if relatives of those with a trait are more likely to have the trait than the general population

Question 17

adoption studies

Answer 17

involve comparing a trait/characteristic between adopted children and their biological or adoptive parents

Question 18

selective breeding

Answer 18

-involves artificially selecting male and female animals for a particular trait.
-these animals are then put together to breed and produce offspring.
-selective breeding has been used to demonstrate how a number of behavioural characteristics may have a
genetic basis
(e.g. ‘maze bright’ rats)

Question 19

______ + ______ = phenotype

Answer 19

genotype + environment

(to a large extent, an individual’s phenotype is determined by
its genotype)

Question 20

how do monozygotic twins show the interaction between inheritance and environment?

Answer 20

-they have the same genetic makeup and they look alike, but they possess
different phenotypes
-any differences you may see between them (personality, tastes, aptitudes) are due to differences in their experience or environment

Question 21

rita and holly are identical twins who were separated at birth.

when they finally met each other at the age of 35, they were surprised at how different their personalities were

rita is much more social and out-going than holly

use your knowledge of genotype and phenotype to explain this difference in their personalities

Answer 21

-holly and rita have identical genotypes as they are MZ twins
-they have a predisposition to develop the same personalities as each other unless another factor intervenes.
-for them to have developed different personalities it must be influenced by being in different environments
-presumably rita was encouraged to be sociable and lively and holly was not
-their phenotypes (personalities) are different because of this

Question 22

phineas gage

Answer 22

an explosion sent an iron bar through his head, destroying a large portion of his frontal cortex:

-personality change
-lost his ability to inhibit antisocial
-was angry when he used to be relaxed

Question 23

what are imbalances in the number of neurotransmitters associated with?
(+ examples)

Answer 23

atypical behaviour

(lack of serotonin → depression)

Question 24

hormones

Answer 24

-chemicals that affect behaviour
-they are released into the bloodstream where they travel to the target cells which are activated by them specifically

Question 25

what happens when a nerve impulse reaches the end of one neuron?

Answer 25

-a chemical called a neurotransmitter is released
-it travels from one neuron to the next across a synapse

Question 26

excitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 26

trigger nerve impulses in the receiving neuron and stimulate the brain into action

Question 27

inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 27

inhibit nerve impulses in order to calm the brain and balance mood

Question 28

what produces hormones?

Answer 28

endocrine glands

Question 29

how do hormones exert their influence on target cells

Answer 29

-by stimulating receptors on the surface of or inside cells

Question 30

what does the presence of a hormone do to a cell?

Answer 30

cause a physiological reaction in the cell, altering its’ activity

Question 31

why would biopsychologists argue that a certain human behaviours and physical
characteristics exist ?

Answer 31

exist because they are adaptive (aid survival)

Question 32

example of an adaptive behaviour

Answer 32

aggression:
-at some point aggression will have been advantageous for our ancestor
-may be because aggression could have created protection for the family

Question 33

natural selection

Answer 33

-animals with particular traits that provide them with an advantage are more likely to survive and reproduce,
passing on their ‘adaptive traits’ to their offspring
-those who adapt to their environment will reproduce and those that don’t will die out

Question 34

research methods used in the biological approach

Answer 34

-highly scientific in nature
-lab experiments and observations
-brain recording and scanning

Question 35

evaluations of the biological approach

Answer 35

-utilises reliable methods of research
-real-life application
-deterministic

Question 36

bio ao3: often utilises reliable
methods of research

Answer 36

P - a strength of the biological approach is that it often utilises reliable
methods of research

E - some research into genetics and neurochemistry requires precise scientific methodology, such as fMRIs, PET scans, drug trials, and EEGs
↳ these techniques provide psychologists with an accurate measure of internal processes that were previously not accessible

L -biological evidence is less susceptible to misinterpretation or experimenter bias

Question 37

bio ao3: real-life application

Answer 37

P - biological approach has real-life application

E - drug therapies have been developed for many mental illnesses based on research into neurotransmitters
↳ antidepressants work to increase serotonin levels in the brain, based on the understanding of how low levels of serotonin contribute to depressive symptoms

L - sufferers are able to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life

C - these drugs are not effective for all patients, while they have
revolutionised treatment for many, the fact that the medication does not always
work suggests that there may be another possible cause of mental illness, that is not biological

Question 38

bio ao3: biologically deterministic

Answer 38

P - the biological approach is that it is deterministic

E - states that human behaviour is governed by internal, biological
causes (such as genes) that we have no control over (biologically deterministic)
↳ good in potential real-life application such as in courts in helping to convict criminals (eg: criminal gene)
↳ it fails to discuss the act of free will and choosing NOT to commit criminal behaviour or being influenced by the environment eg: poverty making people commit crimes

L - reduces the credibility of the biological approach in fully explaining human behaviour