Biological approach

Question 1

Identify three basic assumptions of the biological approach.

Answer 1

Behaviour evolved through natural selection.
Behaviour has a genetic basis but environment also plays a role (phenotypes).
Biological structures and neurochemistry influence behaviour.

Question 2

Explain the role of evolution on behaviour.

Answer 2

Behaviours evolved via natural selection.

Examples: Attachment promotes infant survival; Phobias avoid danger (e.g. snakes); Aggression aids resource acquisition.

Question 3

Evaluate the role of evolution on behaviour – Limitation (X)

Answer 3

Alternative explanations (e.g. behaviourist theory) suggest behaviours like attachment or phobias may be learned through association or reinforcement. This questions the evolutionary explanation’s credibility.

Question 4

Distinguish between genotype and phenotype.

Answer 4

Genotype: Genetic makeup.
Phenotype: Observable characteristics influenced by genes and environment. MZ twins may differ due to environment.

Question 5

Outline the genetic basis of behaviour.

Answer 5

Genes influence behaviour. Twin studies show MZ twins (100% genes) have higher concordance rates for disorders like schizophrenia (MZ: 48%, DZ: 17%).

Question 6

Evaluate the genetic basis of behaviour – Limitation (X)

Answer 6

MZ twins may share more similar environments than DZ twins (e.g. same sex, treated more similarly), which could confound results.

Question 7

Evaluate the genetic basis of behaviour – Strength (✓)

Answer 7

Adoption studies show higher risk of disorders like schizophrenia in adopted children with biological parents with the disorder, supporting a genetic influence.

Question 8

Evaluate the genetic basis of behaviour – Limitation (X)

Answer 8

Adoption studies have flaws (e.g. early contact with biological parents, matched environments), which may confound genetic conclusions.

Question 9

Outline the role of biological structures on behaviour.

Answer 9

The nervous system and brain influence behaviour.

Somatic: voluntary movement; Sympathetic: fight/flight; Pre-frontal cortex: decision-making; Broca’s: speech production; Wernicke’s: language comprehension.

Question 10

Evaluate the role of biological structures – Strength (✓)

Answer 10

Post-mortem studies (e.g. Broca, Wernicke) link brain damage to behaviour, supporting localisation of brain function.

Question 11

Evaluate the role of biological structures – Limitation (X)

Answer 11

Post-mortem studies can be affected by brain decay, so damage found may not relate to behaviours observed in life.

Question 12

Evaluate the role of biological structures – Strength (✓)

Answer 12

fMRI studies (e.g. Broca’s area active during speech) provide real-time evidence supporting localisation of function.

Question 13

Outline the role of neurochemistry on behaviour.

Answer 13

Neurotransmitters and hormones influence behaviour.

Serotonin: mood (low = depression); Dopamine: reward (high = OCD); Testosterone: aggression; Oestrogen: empathy; Melatonin: sleep.

Question 14

Evaluate the role of neurochemistry – Strength (✓)

Answer 14

Neurochemical explanations led to scientific theories and drug treatments like SSRIs, supporting biological credibility.

Question 15

Evaluate the role of neurochemistry – Strength (✓)

Answer 15

Drug effectiveness (e.g. SSRIs for depression) supports the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin in behaviour.

Question 16

Evaluate the role of neurochemistry – Strength (✓)

Answer 16

Animal studies (e.g. rats given testosterone show increased aggression) support hormonal influence on behaviour.

Question 17

Outline how the biological approach has contributed to understanding human behaviour.

Answer 17

Behaviour evolved via natural selection.
Genotype and phenotype studied.
Brain structures and neurochemistry influence behaviour (e.g. Broca’s area → speech, testosterone → aggression).

Question 18

Evaluate the biological approach – Limitation (X)

Answer 18

Alternative theories (e.g. behaviourism) suggest behaviours like attachment are learned, not evolved, reducing biological explanation’s credibility.

Question 19

Evaluate the biological approach – Strength (✓)

Answer 19

Twin studies (e.g. schizophrenia concordance: MZ 48%, DZ 17%) support genetic basis of behaviour.

Question 20

Evaluate the biological approach – Limitation (X)

Answer 20

MZ twins’ higher concordance rates may be due to more similar environments, not just genetics.

Question 21

Evaluate the biological approach – Strength (✓)

Answer 21

fMRI studies and animal research (e.g. rats and testosterone) show how brain and hormones influence behaviour, supporting biological claims.