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PSYCH Approaches > Biological Approach > Flashcards

Biological Approach Flashcards

1
Q

What was the approach in the 1980’s?

A

The biological approach

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2
Q

When was the biological approach?

A

1980s

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3
Q

What allowed researchers to develop this area of psychology?

A

The advances in technology

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4
Q

Give examples of some technological advances that allowed researches to study more?

A

The use of scanning techniques such as fMRI and EEG

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5
Q

What was the role of these scanning techniques?

A

to study the live activity of the brain

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6
Q

What is the new aspect of the biological approach?

A

The study between genes and behaviour

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7
Q

What method allows us to study the relationship between genes & behaviour?

A

genetic testing

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8
Q

What is the biological approach

A

A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function

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9
Q

Define genes

A

They mak up chromsomes and consist of DNA which codes the physical features of an organism and psychological features. Genes are transmitted from parents to offsprings

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10
Q

Define biological structure

A

An arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ, system or living things

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11
Q

Define neurochemistry

A

Relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning

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12
Q

Define genotype

A

The particular set of genes that a person possesses

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13
Q

Define phenotype

A

The characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment

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14
Q

Define evolution

A

The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations

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15
Q

What is the assumption of the biological approach

A

That everything that is psychological is at first biological so in order to fully understand human behaviour we must look into biological structures and processes

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16
Q

From a biological perspective where does the mind live

A

In the brain, which means all thoughts, feelings and behaviour ultimately have a.physical basis

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17
Q

What is the biological approach in contrast to

A

The cognitive approach, which sees mental processes of the mind being separate from the physical brain

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18
Q

What do our thoughts and behaviours usually rely on?

A

A lot of our thoughts and behaviour relies on chemical transmission in the brain and this is done by neurotransmitters

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19
Q

What is a possible reason for mental disorders

A

An imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain

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20
Q

What are examples of imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain

A

.Low level of serotonin neurotransmitters in OCD
.low levels of dopamine neurotransmitters in schizophrenia

21
Q

What are psychological characteristics inherited the same way as?

A

The same way as hair or eye colour

22
Q

What are twin studies used for?

A

They are used to investigate whether certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis

23
Q

How are twin studies analysed for their purpose

A

This is achieved by analysing concordance rates

24
Q

What are concordance rates

A

The extent to which twins share the same characteristics

25
Q

What would we expect if all characteristic is genetic

A

That all identical twins would be concordant whereas for non identical twins it wouldn’t

26
Q

What are monozygotic twins

A

Identical twins

27
Q

What are dizygotic twins

A

Non identical twins who share around 50% of the same genes

28
Q

What is assumed for both identical and non identical cases

A

That the environment is assumed to be constant

29
Q

What is a persons genotype

A

Their actual genetic makeup

30
Q

What is a phenotype

A

It is the way that genes are expressed through physical behavioural and psychological characteristics

31
Q

Are twin genes always presented in the same way ?

A

No because despite having the same genes, the way identical twins genes are expressed is different

32
Q

What do many biological psychologists accept

A

That human behaviour depends upon interaction between inherited factors and the environment

33
Q

Is inherited factors nature or nurture?

A

Nature

34
Q

Is the environment nature or nurture

A

Nurture

35
Q

Who proposed the theory of evolution and natural selection

A

Charles Darwin

36
Q

What is the main principle of the theory of natural selection

A

That any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual survival, will continue in future generations

37
Q

How does natural selection work

A

Similar to selective breeding

38
Q

How does natural selection take place in terms of nature

A

It takes place ‘naturally’ as no one ‘decides’

39
Q

Why does natural selection naturally take place

A

Because some traits give the possessor certain advantages and so they are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on the traits

40
Q

What happens if individuals survive but don’t reproduce

A

The traits don’t remain in the gene pool for successive generations

41
Q

What are the 2 strengths of the biological approach

A

.It has real world application as it has promoted the treatment for certain conditions such as clinical depression
.they use scientific methods and so it makes us of a range of precise and highly objective methods

42
Q

What are the limitations of the biological approach

A

.a counterpoint is that although certain drugs and treatments work for people it may not work for all and this challenges the vale of the BA
.it is determinist as it sees human behaviour to be governed by internal genetic causes and it suggests that the BA is too simplistic and ignored the mediating effects of the environment

43
Q

Define gene

A

A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA. This DNA codes the physical (e.g. hair colour) and psychological (e.g. intelligence) features of an organism.

44
Q

Define neurochemistry

A

The study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system that regulate psychological functioning. This includes the role of neurotransmitters and hormones.

45
Q

Define heredity

A

The passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through genes

46
Q

Define neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals that travel across the synapse (the gap between neurons) to transmit messages.

47
Q

Define biological factors

A

An arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ, system or living thing.

48
Q

What is the equation with genotype, phenotype and environment

A

Genotype + Environment = Phenotype

PSYCH Approaches (7 decks)

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