Biological approach

Question 1

The Biological approach attempts to understand behaviour through …..

5 components

Answer 1

• Genes
• Nervous system
• Hormones
• The brain
• Evolution (Natural selection)

Run through each

Question 2

Define heritability

Answer 2

A measure of how well the differences in people genes account for differences in traits.

Genotype isn’t always expressed same way in all individuals.

Question 2

• 2 parts of the Nervous system
• 2 types of Neurotransmitters
• 2 Examples of hormones

And define

Answer 2

• CNS (Brain and Spinal chord)
• PNS (Peripheral) (somatic and autonomic)
• Excitatory neurotransmitters e.g. Dopamine - involved in reward)
• Inhibitory neurotransmitters e.g. Seretonin - Involved in mood stabillity
• Testosterone - male sex hormone
• Cortisol - stress response

PNS is extention of CNS

Question 3

What are the 6 subdivisions of the brain and their basic role

+ name for outer area of brain?

Answer 3

• Frontal lobe - Executive functions
• Motor cortex - Movement
• Sensory cortex - Sensation
• Pareital lobe - Perception (processes sensory information)
• Occipital lobe - Processes visual information
• Temporal love - Hearing and memory.

Cerebral cortex

Question 4

Briefly outline the process of natural selection

Answer 4

• Organisms adapt to environment
• Organisms with advantagous adaptations survive and reproduce

Question 5

2 Pros/Cons of Biological Approach

Answer 5

• Scientific method - systematic, highly controlled - objective
• Provides clear, testable predictios - treatments have been developed and tested. e.g. SSRIs
• Reductionist - tries to explain mental illnesses in am oversimplified way.
• Could result in ethical issues - embryonic screening/genetic “excuse” for criminal behaviour.