APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY - Biological Approach

Question 1

Give the 4 assumptions of the biological approach( how behaviour is affected )

Answer 1

1. GENETICS- genes affect behaviour
2. Evolution - behaviour evolves through adaptation
3. Central nervous system- brain is main focus when explaining behaviour
4. Biochemistry- neurotransmitters and hormones are related to behaviour

Question 2

What is heredity

Answer 2

Characteristics passed from one generation to the next
(Height eye colour )

Question 3

“Genes influence behaviour “
What studies do bio psychologists use to study this

Answer 3

Twin studies , adoption studies

Question 4

Describe the twin Study

Answer 4

MZ (monozygotic ) identical
DZ (dizygotic) non identical

Compared pairs of these twins to see if they would both have a behaviour (concordance rate)
Shared behaviours are more likely when individuals are genetically the same
GOTTESMAN studied schizophrenia he found concordance rate of 48 % in MZ
17% in DZ

Question 5

Describe adoption studies

Answer 5

Comparing concordance rate of adoptive child with their biological parent and if high concordance rate that means that behaviour was genetic

Question 6

What is genotype and give examples

Answer 6

Genetic make up (genetic code on how individual will develop)
Eg : eye and hair colour

Question 7

What is phenotype and give examples

Answer 7

Expression of an individual’s genetic make up which can be influenced by environment
Eg : HEIGHT (genotype dictates potential but environment dictates how likely they are to achieve potential )
They might do drugs or not have enough nutrients

Question 8

How does evolution influence behaviour

Answer 8

Individuals naturally differ in a species and some of this variation is inherited NATURAL SELECTION effects behaviour when there are random mutations and if this trait increases reproductivity then it will be passed on

Question 9

What are 3 human behaviours that may have resulted from evolution

Answer 9

Maternal love - to ensure survival of offspring

Mate preferences - eg male being able to provide for offspring

Aggression - improve survival rates , protect territory

Question 10

Describe the influence of neurotransmitters / hormones on behaviour

Answer 10

Levels of specific hormones can affect behaviour to change as endocrine glands secrete hormones into blood stream altering cell

Neurotransmitters can also affect behaviour as high levels of dopamine are believed to cause schizophrenia

Question 11

What is excitatory neurotransmitter give example

Answer 11

Stimulate brain into action

Eg dopamine

Question 12

Wha are inhibitory neurotransmitters give example

Answer 12

Inhibit nerve impulses to calm the brain and balance persons mood

eg serotonin

Question 13

Evaluation of biological approach
Give 2 strengths

Answer 13

1. Successful treatment - anti depressants drugs that treat psychological abnormalities
   Soomro et al found that these drugs gave better results than placebo for reducing depressive symptoms
2. Scientific method- strong empirical evidence such as brain scans (objective) so establishes cause and effect

Question 14

Evaluation of biological approach
Give 2 limitations

Answer 14

1. Over simplistic only focuses on nature side of nature vs nurture , ignores environmental factors (operant classical conditioning)
2. Determinism side of free will vs determinism
   So essentially saying that we can’t be held responsible for our actions as they are innate so ignores free will