Biological Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are the core assumptions of the biological approach?
Genetics
Evolution
The central nervous system
Biochemistry
What does heredity mean?
The process when characteristics are passed from one generation to the next through genes
What are genes?
Genes carry the instructions (coding) for a particular trait.
What do biological psychologists believe about the influence of genes? What does this suggest
Behavioural characteristics such as intelligence and personality are inherited
Suggests that behaviours are inherited from one/both bio parents.
What are twin studies?
Compare pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins.
The number of MZ & DZ twins both having a behaviour is calculated (concordance rate) and compared to give an indication of how much the behaviour is genetic.
If the behaviour is more likely when they’re genetically identical then behaviour has a genetic component.
What is a concordance rate?
The degree of similarity or agreement between two individuals with respect to a specific outcome or trait
Why are twin studies limited?
Concordance rate in MZ twins is never 100% and are often much lower. Suggests that behaviour is not caused only by genetics, environment has an influence.
What are adoption studies?
Examines concordance rates for a behaviour between the adoptive child and biological parent.
Why are adoption studies better than twin studies?
Children share 50% genes with bio parents but 0% with adoptive parents. So, if there’s a high concordance rate between biological parent and child the behaviour is genetic.
What is a limitation of adoption studies?
If the child has not been adopted since birth it’s difficult to claim that a high concordance rate is genetic. (Learnt before the adoption)
What is a persons genotype?
An individuals genetic makeup. Occurs at conception & provides the genetic code for how they’ll develop.
(e.g. eye + hair colour)
What is a person’s phenotype?
The expression of an individuals genetic make-up. Can be influenced by the environment
What is the theory of natural selection?
Any genetically determined behaviour is the result of an individuals drive to survive.
What is neurochemistry?
The biochemistry of the central nervous system.
In the brain, the transmitting of chemicals is via the cerebral fluid through chemicals which include neurotransmitters.
Why are neurotransmitters important?
They are thought to affect behaviour. E.g. high levels of a neurotransmitter, dopamine, is related to schizophrenia
What is a EXCITATORY neurotransmitter? Give an example
A neurotransmitter that sends an impulse and stimulates the brain into action
e.g. Dopamine
What is a INHIBITORY neurotransmitter? Give an example
A neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve impulses in order to calm the brain & balance a persons mood.
What are the evaluation points for the biological approach?
(+) Successful treatment
(+) Scientific method
(-) Reductionist
(-) Determinist
How has the biological approach lead to successful treatments?
Successfully crated drugs such as anti-depressants & anti-anxiety drugs. these treatments have been found to be effective for treating a range of psychological abnormalities.
Demonstrates the contribution that the biological approach has made to psychology.
Its effectiveness suggests the approach has some validity
How does the biological approach use the scientific method?
It uses experiments as its main method of investigation
It also adopts objective techniques such as brain scans. The use of sophisticated imaging has increased the precision and objectivity of research in this area.
-Results are likely to be objective and reliable
How is the biological approach reductionist?
It attempts to explain complex human behaviour by reducing it down to its smallest component parts such as the action of genes, neurochemicals and hormones.
-doesn’t provide a holistic explanation of behaviour and many psychologists would disagree with disagree with this standpoint.
How is the biological approach determinist?
Bio psychologists claim that human behaviour is the product of external influences on behaviour so the individual cannot be responsible for their own behaviour.
Many psychologists believe that humans have the freewill to choose how to behave.
