biological approach

Question 1

ao1

Answer 1

• everything psychological first biological
• inherit a gene which gives you a predisposition to a behaviour
• studied using twin studies to test the concordance rates of certain characteristics
• characteristics that aren’t suited to environment will evolve so just adaptive behaviour remains
• neuroanatomical basis of behaviour so different parts of brain for different functions

Question 2

ao3- strength: scientific credibility

Answer 2

p- utilises scientific methods of research add to credibility of psychology as a science
e- research into genetics and neurochemistry needs scientific methodology i.e. PET scans
e- provide psychologists an accurate measure of internal processes that previously weren’t accessible
l- more objective and less susceptible to misinterpretation or researcher bias

Question 3

ao3- strength: real world application

Answer 3

p- real world application
e- understanding ‘abnormal’ neurochemical activity led to use of psychoactive drugs to treat serious mental disorders. developed due to research into neurostransmitters i.e. antidepressants increase serotonin levels in brain
e- benefits for developing treatment but also provide explanation that their illness not patient’s fault
l- antidepressants don’t work for everyone so suggests there’s more than just abnormal levels of transmitters leading to disorders such as depression so poses a limitation.

Question 4

ao3- weakness: too biologically deterministic

Answer 4

p- may be considered too biologically deterministic
e- biological scientists see our behaviour as result of neurochemical or genetic influences of which we have no free will to control
e- way genotype expressed heavily influenced by environment and not even identical twins look and think the same
l- so too deterministic and doesn’t take into account environmental interaction