Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psychology C1 > Biological Approach > Flashcards

Biological Approach Flashcards

(75 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is assumption1 of the biological approach?

A

Behaviour can be explained by neurotransmitters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Neurons
-b
-assumption 1

A

process/transmit neurotransmitters through chemical signals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Synaptic transmission
-b
-assumption 1

A

Neurotransmitter released from presynaptic vesicle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Serotonin
-b
-assumption 1

A

mood, sleep, appetite
increase serotonin uptake to help with depression

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Dopamine
-b
-assumption 1

A

schizophrenia symptoms
drugs can decrease the level

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is assumption 2 of the biological approach?

A

Localisation of brain function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Frontal lobe
-b
-assumption 2

A

BROCAS AREA
X fine motor skills, personality changes
- Broca’s aphasia
= THINKING

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Temporal lobe
-b
-assumption 2

A

WERNICKE’S AREA
X trouble understanding
X change in emotional state#
= SPEECH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Occipital lobe
-b
-assumption 2

A

X perception issues, blind spots
= VISUAL INFO

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Parietal lobe
-b
-assumption 2

A

X numb, tingling, don’t feel pain
= PAIN- SENSORY INFO

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Example
-b
-assumption 2

A

PHINEAS GAGE
- damage to frontal lobe
- personality changed
- memory and cognitive strength not altered

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is assumption 3 of the biological approach?

A

Evolutionary influences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Evolutionary influences
-b
-assumption 3

A
  • genotype is changeable
  • caused by the process of natural selection
  • survival, mating, phobias
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Charles Darwin
-b
- assumption 3

A

> genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival will be naturally selected
inherited traits–> Nyctophobia (fear of the dark)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

EEA- Environment of Evolutionary Adaptiveness
-b
-assumption 3

A

species adapt due to selective pressure
- large brains#
- form alliances & relationships

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the therapy for the biological approach?

A

Drug therapy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Component 1 of drug therapy

A

Antipsychotic drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Antipsychotic drugs
Conventional
C1

A

(chlorpromazine)
- binds to dopamine receptors and blocks them
- this decreases the flow of dopamine so it doesn’t stimulate
X confusion
X Tardive Dyskinesia - uncontrollable, irregular movements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Antipsychotic drugs
Atypical
C1

A

(clozapine)
- temporarily blocks receptor sites so they disassociate with the normal dopamine flow
X blurred vision, tiredness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Component 2 of Drug Therapy

A

Antidepressant drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Antidepressant drugs
Selective-serotonin-reuptake inhibitors
C2

A

(prozac)
- bind to post-synaptic receptor site in neuron
- stops reuptake of serotonin so that less is absorbed
- more serotonin builds up in the synaptic cleft
- more becomes available within the brain
X nausea, weight gain, fatigue, symptoms worsen, dizziness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Component 3 of drug therapy

A

Anti-anxiety drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Anti-anxiety drugs
Benzodiazepines
C3

A

(valium)
- slows CNS activity
- enhance GABA
X confusion, drowsiness, lightheaded

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Anti-anxiety drugs
Beta- Blockers
C3

A
  • binds to receptors in aroused areas and block them
  • slows their function
    -heart rate, blood pressure decreases
  • less anxious
    X confusion, drowsiness, lightheaded
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
APPLYING ASSUMPTION TO DRUG THERAPY -b
1) inhibit reuptake of serotonin to treat behaviour 2) BZs target the limbic system to decrease the effect of the CNS 3) Anti-anxiety drugs treat it as a physical problem due to genetics
26
Effectiveness of drug therapy 👍RESEARCH SUPPORT
KAHN - benzodiazepines are more effective than placebos
27
Effectiveness of drug therapy 👍COMPARISONS TO OTHER THERAPIES
- less time and motivation needed - cheap and practical
28
Effectiveness of drug therapy X TREAT SYMPTOMS NOT CAUSE
- revolving door syndrome - come of drugs and go back to normal - go back on drugs again
29
Effectiveness of drug therapy X NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS
SOOMRO - nausea, hallucinations
30
Effectiveness of drug therapy X RESEARCH AGAINST
KORAN - its only a temporary fix and the problem will come back once you stop taking the drug treatment
31
Ethics of drug therapy 👍PROTECTION FROM HARM
- only way to improve or access CBT - target and treats mental health issues
32
Ethics of drug therapy X USE OF PLACEBOS ON THE MENTALLY ILL
- exposed to harm - less effective
33
Ethics of drug therapy X INFORMED CONSENTT ON INFO ABOUT DRUGS
- the people given drugs may not be in the right mindset to say know or understand what they are taking - doctors may withhold info or not give specific details of the drug
34
What are the aims of Drug Therapy?
to manipulate patients bodily processes with the goal of reducing symptoms of their mental health disorder
35
What was the research conducted for the biological approach?
RAINE- brain abnormalities between NGRI murderers and non-murderers
36
What were the aims of Raine's research? -B
- look at direct measures of cortical and subcortical brain functioning in PET scans - murderers would show evidence of brain dysfunction in prefrontal cortex and other areas linked to violent behaviour > on cortical = surface > below cortical = centre
37
METHODOLOGY Raine's research -B
> quasi- PET scan > matched pairs design > opportunity sampling > 82Ps (34.3 yrs mean age) > 6 schizophrenic, 3 substance abuse > IV 41 murderers- 2 women > DV 'normal' adults
38
PROCEDURE Raine's research -B
1) inject radioactive tracer 2) Continuous performance task to target areas of brain 3) practise CPT 4) start CPT 30 seconds before injecting tracer 5) PET 32min after injection -6 cortical, 8 subcortical 6) PET scans compared murderers vs non-murderers
39
FINDINGS Raine's research -B
1) Prefrontal cortex lower- rational decision making 2) Right amygdala increased activity - aggression 3) Temporal lobe - stayed the same 4) No behavioural difference on CPT 5) 23 head injury, 6 left handed
40
CONCLUSIONS Raine's research -B
1) Reduced activity in areas of the brain associated with violence 2) Biology alone cannot be used alone to explain violent predispositions 3) Findings are specific to NGRI murderers only
41
Evaluation of methodology and procedures 👍STANDARDISED PROCEDURES -b
- controlled variables - high internal validity -see while Ps participate
42
Evaluation of methodology and procedures 👍PET SCANS -b
- objective measurement of brain activity
43
Evaluation of methodology and procedures 👍MATCHED PAIRS DESIGN -b
- age, sex, MH - confounding variables are prevented X participant variables
44
Evaluation of methodology and procedures X SAMPLE (NGRI MURDERERS) -b
- can't be generalised to other criminals as these specifically pleaded guilty due to MH issues - this overlooks other criminals
45
Ethics evaluation of Raine's research X VALID CONSENT -b
- used vulnerable people so it is unfair to give them a PET scan - they may not understand and it may not have been thoroughly explained to them
46
Ethics evaluation of Raine's research X RIGHT TO WITHDRAW -b
- was it clear they could say no? - did they understand what it was about?
47
Ethics evaluation of Raine's research X PROTECTION FROM HARM - b
- kept on medication 2 weeks prior - may have effected their self-esteem
48
Social implications of Raine's research 👍COULD BE USED TO IDENTIFY CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR BEFORE IT OCCURS -b
This prevents harem to the public and could help prevent people with those biological tendencies to be violent from being convicted criminals
49
Social implications of Raine's research X EFFECTS ON JUDICIAL SYSTEM -b
- criminals are born not made - no free will over behaviour - not blamed as they cannot help it - not imprisoned putting others at risk
50
Social implications of Raine's research X SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY -b
- treated differently - may cause them to behave more abnormal if they are marginalised
51
Social implications of Raine's research X DENEID POSITION/JOBS -b
-face discrimination -judged rather than helped -lower quality of life
52
Alternative evidence for Raine's research 👍RAINE AND YANG(2009) -b
- found the same results linking brain activity to violence
53
Alternative evidence for Raine's research 👍TIIHOEN ET AL (2015) -b
MAOA & and increase in committing crimes ( brain structure of criminal behaviour) - biological make up and predisposition to criminal behaviour
54
Alternative evidence for Raine's research X JAMES FALLON -b
- measured his own brain activity and found that his genes were linked to violent behaviour and he was not a criminal
55
What is the debate for the biological approach?
Is it ethical to use biological psychology?
56
What is theme 1 of the biological debate?
The potential to cure disease
57
Theme 1: potential to cure disease FOR argument b
MAYBURG ET AL - SSRIs treatment for depression, 4/6 with severe depression had dramatically reduced symptoms SI- less ill people, more fit to work, less benefits claimed and higher contribution to economy - improves our quality of life and understanding of the brain
58
Theme 1: to cure disease AGAINST argument b
FURGOSON ET AL- side effects - electrodes dislodged in deep brain stimulation - causes a bleed on the brain - 2X more likely to commit suicide SI- people lose their loved ones and end up in the same cycle due to having mental health issues due to the death - worse than original disorder they wanted to treat
59
What is theme 2 of the biological debate?
Enhance neurological function
60
Theme 2: enhance neurological function FOR argument b
KADOSH ET AL - improve problem solving, language, memory and attention - small electrical currents pass through specific parts of the brain EI- improve results and performance on exams, get higher paying jobs - improve their quality of life
61
Theme 2 : enhance neurological function AGAINST argument b
COHEN KADOSH- ethical issues - no licensing rules for practitioners- underqualified - high risk of physical harm= brain damage SI- not all people can access financially, compensation for those who have suffered from brain damage - unethical, serious harm
62
What is theme 3 of the biological debate?
Treat criminal behaviour
63
Theme 3 : treat criminal behaviour FOR argument b
CHEREK ET AL/ RAINE - rehabilitate offenders and prevent offenses C- Men with a history of criminal behaviour had reduced aggression levels after taking anti depressants SI- criminal justice system, safer streets less recidivism R- determine regions of brain affected
64
Theme 3 : treat criminal behaviour AGAINST argument b
FARAH/RAINE F- no freedom to exert free will, vulnerable- informed consent R- removed from society, give 'compulsory treatment' just based on brain structure- self fulfilling prophecy SI- too reliant on brain scans, compensation to those wrongly convicted - economic problems
65
Is the biological approach deterministic or free will?
Deterministic
66
Deterministic b
X humans have no free will X therapist has control over the medication X can't take blame- can't help their biological makeup X can't take responsibility for behaviour
67
Is the biological approach reductionist of holistic?
Reductionist
68
Reductionist b
X reduce behaviour to physical factors X antipsychotics to treat SZ- suggesting cause is neurotransmitters (SSRIs) X ignores trauma or lifestyle
69
How is the biological approach applied?
CHEREK ET AL - aggression lowered in criminal behaviour after a 21 day course of SSRIs - allows them to lead a relatively normal life - practical social implications - criminals who have undergone drug therapy have a lower rate of reoffending= a safer society
70
Is the biological approach idiographic or nomothetic?
Nomothetic
71
Nomothetic b
- apply laws to all human behaviour - RAINE- criminal B- brain abnormalities - biological issue with the brain - reduce crime rates - reoffending criminals
72
Is the biological approach nature or nurture?
Nature
73
Nature b
- behaviour has a physical/ biological cause - brain lobes are responsible for behaviour and mental health is due to neurotransmitters - pinpoint specific places to improve, study and treat
74
Is the biological approach scientific or unscientific?
Scientific
75
Scientific b
- create hypothesis, use objective methods RAINE- made observations on brain differences between murds and non-murds - psychology- trusted discipline - upholds scientific standards

Psychology C1 (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions