biological approach Flashcards
(26 cards)
What does the biological approach suggest about human behaviour?
It suggests that all psychological processes are at first biological and to fully understand behaviour, we must look to biological structures and processes within the body.
From a biological perspective, where is the mind?
The mind lives in the brain, meaning thoughts, feelings, and behaviour have a physical basis
How does the cognitive approach differ from the biological approach?
The cognitive approach sees mental processes of the mind as separate from the physical brain.
What is neurochemistry?
Neurochemistry refers to the action of chemicals in the brain.
What are neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals across synapses in the brain.
How can an imbalance of neurochemicals affect mental health?
Imbalances can cause mental disorders, e.g., low serotonin in OCD or overproduction of dopamine in schizophrenia.
What is the genetic basis of behaviour?
Psychological characteristics are inherited in the same way as physical traits like height or eye colour.
What are twin studies used for in psychology?
They investigate whether certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis.
What are concordance rates?
Concordance rates measure the extent to which twins share the same characteristic.
What would high concordance rates in monozygotic twins suggest?
That the characteristic is likely genetic, as monozygotic twins share 100% of their genes.
What is the difference between monozygotic and dizygotic twins?
Monozygotic twins share 100% of genes; dizygotic twins share about 50%.
What is genotype?
Genotype is a person’s actual genetic make-up.
What is phenotype?
Phenotype is the way genes are expressed through physical, behavioural, and psychological characteristics.
Can identical twins have different phenotypes?
Yes, because phenotype is influenced by both genotype and environment.
What is the theory of evolution by natural selection?
It states that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival and reproduction will be passed on to future generations.
Who proposed the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin.
What is selective breeding?
It is when individuals with desirable traits are chosen to breed, increasing the likelihood of those traits in future generations.
What is a real-world application of the biological approach?
It has led to the development of psychoactive drugs to treat mental disorders like depression.
How do antidepressant drugs work?
They increase levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin, reducing depressive symptoms.
What is a limitation of antidepressant drugs?
They do not work for everyone.
What did a study comparing antidepressant drug effectiveness find?
Although most drugs were more effective than placebos, the antidepressant effects were mostly ‘modest’, showing that brain neurochemistry alone may not account for all cases of depression.
What scientific methods does the biological approach use?
It uses precise and highly objective methods like fMRI and EEG scans.
Why are scientific methods a strength of the biological approach?
They allow researchers to measure physiological and neural processes objectively and reliably.
What is biological determinism?
It is the idea that human behaviour is governed by internal, genetic causes over which we have no control.
