Biological approach

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 1

• Biological psychologists believe a person’s genes influence behaviour
• An understanding of biological structures, brain structure and functions of neurons can help explain behaviour.
  Eg. the nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and neurons.
• Neurochemistry - the chemicals that flow through the brain called and have behavioural effects.

These all affect our behaviour.

Question 2

Biological approach

Answer 2

An approach which emphasises the importance that physical structures and processes in the body have on behaviour

Question 3

Genes

Answer 3

Part of DNA that encodes function and carries information that makes you who you are. They are inherited from parents.

Question 4

Genotype

Answer 4

Actual genetic makeup - their unique combination of genetic material that has been inherited from their parents.

Question 5

Phenotype

Answer 5

The physical expression of genes - the behaviour and characteristics we show. This can be influenced by environmental factors.

Question 6

What is neurochemistry?

Answer 6

(Brain chemistry)
Refers to the chemicals that flow through the brain (neurotransmitters) and affects behaviour

Question 7

What are some examples of neurotransmitters?

Answer 7

• Dopamine - helps control ‘reward and pleasure centres’ in the brain.
• Serotonin

Question 8

What are neurons?

Answer 8

Nerve cells inside the brain and spinal cord with transmit info to each other and between structures.

Question 9

How can monozygotic twins become different?

Answer 9

Through environmental factors.

Question 10

Why are twin studies used?

Answer 10

To determine the likelihood that that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates (the extent to which both twins share those traits).

Question 11

What are concordance rates?

Answer 11

The extent to which both twins share a trait.

Question 12

What are monozygotic (MZ) twins?

Answer 12

Identical twins.

Question 13

What much of their genes do MZ twins share?

Answer 13

100%

Question 14

What are dizygotic (DZ) twins?

Answer 14

Non-identical twins.

Question 15

How much of their genes do DZ twins share?

Answer 15

Approximately 50%.

Question 16

When do you know if a trait is likely to have a genetic basis?

Answer 16

If MZ twins possess the same behavioural trait and have a higher concordance rate than DZ twins.

Question 17

Who proposed the theory of natural selection?

Answer 17

Charles Darwin.

Question 18

What does the theory of natural selection suggest about the evolution of behaviour?

Answer 18

Any genetically determined behaviour which is adaptive/enhances the ability to survive and reproduce will be favoured by a species and be passed on to their offspring.

Question 19

According to the theory of natural selection, what happens if a mutation occurs?

Answer 19

If it results in a new behaviour/characteristic and it is adaptive, it will be passed on.

Question 20

What are the strengths of the biological approach?

Answer 20

• It uses very scientific methods (lab experiments) and a range of sophisticated technology (eg: fMRI and ways to map genes). Make the data reliable and objective.
• Practical applications - If we understand the role of biochemicals, we can gain a greater understanding of some mental illnesses and develop psychoactive drugs to treat them

Question 21

What are the weaknesses of the biological approach?

Answer 21

• It is deterministic. Suggests behaviour is caused by our physiology (genes, biochemicals, hormones). Suggests that we have no free will and less responsibility for our behaviour. It can have implications for the legal system and wider society.
• Often assumes a casual relationship between neurotransmitters and behaviour. The evidence is from research that shows particular drugs that increase neurotransmitters can reduces symptoms of mental illness. Now assumed that mental illness is cause by a deficiency in neurotransmitters.