Biological Approach

Question 1

Biological approach assumptions

Answer 1

We are born with our behaviour and variations are due to genetics. Biological psychologists believe evolution, genetics and neural mechanisms and biological structure explain behaviour the best

Question 2

Aim of biological psychologists research

Answer 2

Aims to find links between behaviour and genetics

Question 3

Concordance rate

Answer 3

Level of agreement of similarity between 2 individuals

Question 4

If disorders are caused genetically we would except twins

Answer 4

Monozygotic twins - 100%

Dizygotic twins - 50%

Question 5

What did gottesman study

Answer 5

Twin study of schizophrenia

Question 6

What are the concordance rates gottesman found for schizophrenia

Answer 6

1% risk to general population 
10% risk to first degree relative 
17% risk to fraternal twins 
48% risk to identical twins 
Supporting biological approach

Question 7

Genotype

Answer 7

A personalised genetic makeup

Question 8

Phenotype

Answer 8

The way genes are expressed through physical, behaviour and psychological characteristics

Question 9

Biochemistry is concerned with…

Answer 9

With his the chemical in our body work, these chemicals include neurotransmitters and hormones

Question 10

Neurotransmitter

Answer 10

A chemical that relays impulses from one cell to another across a synapse

Question 11

Neurotransmitters and the mental illness they cause

Answer 11

Dopamine - schizophrenia

Serotonin - depression

Question 12

What are hormones

Answer 12

Chemicals of the endocrine system, released into bloodstream by glands which are controlled by pituitary gland in the brain

Question 13

What did Charles Darwin propose

Answer 13

Evolution - mechanisms behind biological evolution is ‘natural selection’. Behaviours which were desireable and lead to survival become more commonly passed on

Question 14

Why have we evolved

Answer 14

Close bonds with parents, memory- learn from experiences, men bigger than women

Question 15

What do biological psychologists believe about biological structure

Answer 15

That there are structural mechanisms in the human body which dictate our body

Question 16

3 main structural mechanisms

Answer 16

Brain structure, nervous system, endocrine system

Question 17

Brain structure

Answer 17

Certain regions have been involved in many psychological decades

Question 18

Nervous system

Answer 18

Primary internal communication system, it collects processes and responds to the environment

Question 19

Endocrine system

Answer 19

Network of glands which work together and regulate the body’s functions

Question 20

What is PKU

Answer 20

Rare genetic disorders that is tested for in babies. Babies develop learning difficulties but can be put on a diet to prevent showing so the phenotypes different

Question 21

4 evaluation points of biological approach

Answer 21

Practical applications, approaches are deterministic, evidence support poor credibility, scientific credibility

Question 22

Elaboration of ‘practical applications’

Answer 22

• drug treatments that are practical and cost efepfecrive
• help to manage symptoms of serious disorders
• benefits economy reducing number of sick days in hospital

Question 23

Elaboration of ‘approach is deterministic’

Answer 23

• suggests biological factors cause behaviours not individual choice
• doesn’t fit in with legal systems that hold people accountable for what they do
• strictly deterministic stance doesn’t reflect complexity of human behaviour

Question 24

Elaboration of ‘evidence supports poor credibility’

Answer 24

• twin studies are a key method of research if genetic influence
• will also be environmental difference which cannot be removed
• this is a confounding variable which limits explanations

Question 25

Elaboration of ‘scientific credibility’

Answer 25

- uses scientific methods in research which avoids objectivity - by reducing bias, data is more consistent - this allows replication and greater credibility in relation to natural sciences