Biological Approach

Question 1

Key Assumptions of the Biological Approach

Answer 1

1 Behaviour and thought processes have an innate, biological basis
2 All human behaviour is due to our genetic makeup, brain structures or chemical processes
3 Human genes have evolved to adapt behaviour to the environment

Question 2

Define Genes

Answer 2

Short stretches of DNA, containing single units of genetic information

Question 3

Define homozygous and heterozygous

Answer 3

Homozygous - containing two genes that are the same
Heterozygous - containing two different genes

Question 4

Define genotype and phenotype

Answer 4

Genotype - particular genes an individual has/ genetic makeup.
Phenotype - observable traits or characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment

Question 5

What are the methods of studying the genetic basis of behaviour

Answer 5

brain scanning
lab experiments
twin studies
family studies
adoption studies

Question 6

Twin studies - MZ and DZ twins + concordance rate

Answer 6

Monozygotic twins - share 100% of genes
Dizygotic twins - share 50% of genes

Concordance rate - the degree of similarity. The probability that two people with the same genes will get the same disorder

Question 7

How can twin studies show a trait has a biological/environmental basis

Answer 7

Biological - twins share 100% or 50% of genes so concordance rate would be closer to 100% that they would get the same disorder as they have the same genes
Environmental - monozygotic twins are Karen treated the same and as one person so it could be nurture from the environment

Question 8

How can family studies show a trait has a biological/environmental basis

Answer 8

Biological - biological parent and sibling would share 50% of genes so there will be a high degree of similarity
Environmental - could be environmental as they are brought up and raised in the same home and environment

Question 9

How can adoption studies show that a trait has a biological/environmental basis

Answer 9

Biological - could be biological as 50% genes shared with biological parents but no biological connection to adoptive parents so if biological there would be a high concordance rate
Environmental - no genetic similarity to adoptive parents so if environmental high concordance rate with adoptive parents

Question 10

Define natural selection

Answer 10

A mechanism of evolution. Organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on genes to their offspring that aided their success

Eg random genetic mutation in giraffe with a longer neck - giraffe survives as it can reach leaves - weak genes of small neck dies out and long neck gene is passed on to offspring

Question 11

Define evolution

Answer 11

The process by which different living organisms have developed and changed from earlier forms

Question 12

Evaluation of biological approach - does it explain human bevahiour?

Answer 12

Strength - scientific and objective as it uses techniques like brain scanning and PET scans which reduces subjectivity
Strength - lead to development of drug therapy eg in OCD
Limitation - reductionist as it ignores the environment, emotions and thought processes that we have as humans which influences human behaviour