the biological approach

Question 1

what are the biological psychologists particularly interested in

Answer 1

the genetic basis of human behaviour, showing how some characteristics can be passed from generation to generation through the genes.
-also they have studied the importance of chemical changes in the nervous system and hormonal changes

Question 2

what the mechanisms of hereditary

Answer 2

hereditary is the passing of characteristics from one generation to another though genes, and this is the reason why offspring ‘take after’ their parents

Question 3

what is a genotype

Answer 3

the genetic code that is ‘written’ in the DNA of an individuals cells

Question 4

what is a phenotype

Answer 4

is the physical appearance that results its this inherited information

Question 5

many aspects of Human behaviour is under what control

Answer 5

neuronal control

• breathing
• eating
• sexual behaviour

Question 6

what is the largest part of the brain

Answer 6

the cerebrum, making up 85% of the total mass of the brain

Question 7

what is the cerebrum

Answer 7

the outer surface of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for many of the ‘high-order’ and functions such as language and thought.
- the cerebrum is divided into two half, the hemispheres, and then is further divided into quarters, the lobes.

Question 8

what is the role of the frontal lobe

Answer 8

involved in functions such as speech, thought and learning

Question 9

what is the role of the temporal lobe

Answer 9

involved with hearing and memory

Question 10

what is the parietal lobes

Answer 10

involved in the processing of sensory information such as touch, temperature and pain

Question 11

what is the occipital lobes

Answer 11

involved in the process of visual information

Question 12

what type of neurotransmitter is dopamine

Answer 12

excitatory, that is associated with our ‘drive’ or motivation

Question 13

what type of neurotransmitter is serotonin

Answer 13

an inhibitory, adequate amounts are necessary to maintain a stable mood

Question 14

what are hormones

Answer 14

they are chemicals produced by the endocrine glands such as the pituitary gland, which together make up our endocrine system.

Question 15

when are hormones released

Answer 15

in response to a brain signal, the hormones are secreted directly into the bloodstream by the endocrine glands, where they travel to ‘target cells’ and exert the influence by stimulating receptors on the surface of the inside of the cell

Question 16

what does the presence of a hormone do to a cell

Answer 16

causes physiological reaction in the cell, altering the its activity

Question 17

what is evolution

Answer 17

refers to the change over successive generations of the genetic make-up of a particular population. The central proposition of an evolutionary perspective is that the genotype of a population is changeable rather than fixes, and that this change is likely to be caused by the process of natural selection

Question 18

what is natural selection

Answer 18

the process by which inherited characteristics that enhance an individuals reproductive success are passed on to the next generation, and so become more widespread in the population over time

Question 19

what is neurochemistry

Answer 19

the study of chemical and neural processes associate with the nervous system

Question 20

what is the supportive evaluation for the biological approach

Answer 20

-it uses a scientific method, particularly the use of the experiment method, as its main method of investigation.
Thus they are highly replicable, which adds validity of the original findings if they can be reproduced.
-a strength of the biological approach is that it provides Clear predictions, e.g. about the effects of neurotransmitter or the behaviour of people who are genetically related. This has led to significant applications to the real world. for instance the role of neurochemical imbalance in depression which has led to the development of drug treatments

Question 21

what are the limitations of the biological approach

Answer 21

• it is reductionist, as it is broken down into small components such as genes, neurotransmitters and hormones. Critics argue that although the biological approach has a significant part in explaining some mental illnesses, they cannot fully understand all behaviour with out taking into account other factors that influence it, such as cognitive, emotional and cultural factors.
  -the biological approach is deterministic. This is because genetic factors that have been associated with criminals has led to the belief that if someone has the same genetic factors then they have a predisposition to criminality, when they may never or have never done anything criminal.
  However some psychologists argue that the predisposition to criminality or mental disorders, gives the opportunity to avoid environmental situation that may trigger this predisposition.