A2- biological influence-applying to health psychology

Question 1

can illnesses be inherited ?

Answer 1

genes can be passed down from one family member to another

. However, in most cases most diseases don’t have a single cause

. They come from a combination of your genes, your choices and your environment.

. the genes from our parents contribute to our health and illness but do not determine it.

Question 2

What do some people inherit-

Answer 2

a predisposition that makes them more or less likely to be healthy or become ill.

becoming ill is not inevitable but depends on other factors that act as “triggers”.

Question 3

example of triggers=

Answer 3

smoking, being exposed to a virus

Question 4

Example of predisposition=

Answer 4

1. Obesity is a physical disease influenced by a genetic predisposition.

Twin studies support this as BMI is much greater in both identical twins than non-identical twins- indicating a strong genetic influence.

2. Mental disorders research with twins suggests depression is about 37% inherited.

Question 5

Specific example=

What is it=

What causes it=

Answer 5

Specific example= cystic fibrosis

What is it= a condition that causes breathing and digestive problems. It causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs.

What causes it= It is a genetic condition inherited through a faulty gene known as the CFTR.

Individuals with this condition inherit two copies of this mutated gene (one from each parent).

If a child only inherits one copy of the mutated gene, they are considered a carrier.

Question 6

Specific example=

What is it=

What causes it=

Answer 6

Specific example= colour blindness

What is it= also known as colour vision deficiency- it is the inability to see colours normally.

What causes it= The most common type of colour blindness (red & green blindness) is a genetic disorder inherited on the X chromosome from parents.

Question 7

Neurotransmitters

What are they=

Answer 7

chemicals that allow communication between neurons.

Question 8

what can sometimes happen with neurochemicals ?

Answer 8

For many different reasons levels can become imbalanced,
with various effects on behaviour depending on whether the levels are to high or to low

Question 9

Specific example

Answer 9

serotonin= a neurotransmitter responsible for mood and emotional regulation.

Question 10

serotonin and physical health=

Answer 10

Serotonin is increased in several areas of the brain by both short and intense exercise, improving sleep quality, alertness and digestion.

Question 11

Serotonin and mental health=

Answer 11

Depression has been linked to low levels of serotonin. One cause of this may be genetics. Some people inherit a gene which causes lower amounts of serotonin than others.

Question 12

evaluation

strength=

Answer 12

Support for genetic predisposition

PKU – genetic disorder caused by a mutation in a
single gene.

Kim-Cohen and Gold (2009) suggest that some people inherit genes that make them more resilient.

but they also have supportive relationships with others.

So resilience has a genetic basis but it depends on environmental circumstances.

The interaction between genes and environment shows that genes predispose people to health and ill-health but do not necessarily cause them.

Question 13

evaluation

weakness=

Answer 13

Incomplete explanation

Emphasising the biological influences oversimplifies the causes of health.

For example, genetic predisposition is indirect rather than direct.

It does not influence behaviour directly but influences lifestyle-related behaviours which in turn affect the likelihood of an individual being healthy or ill.

Therefore, the causes of health are complex and
biological influences are not a complete explanation.