Biological Approach Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are the 6 biological reasons to explain human behaviour?
Evolution
Brain
Neurochemistry
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Genetics
What is the definition of genetics?
The study of the genetic make-up of organisms and how genes influence physical and behavioural characteristics
What is the definition of phenotype?
Physical characteristics- influenced by environment- not fixed, can observe
Is behaviour learned from others around you?
NO
What is the definition of genotype?
The actual genetic makeup- fixed and unobservable
What is behaviour strongly influenced by?
Our genetic makeup and genetic inheritance
What are some examples of maladaptive behaviour?
Schizophrenia
Depression
OCD
Eating disorders
Extreme sports
What is Darwin’s theory?
All living things have evolved over time through natural selection
Maladaptive genes die out and adaptive genes survive.
Human behaviour has become wired in because of evolution
What approach does behaviourism and biological take: nature or nurture?
Behaviourism- everything is learnt (nurture)
Biological (nature)
What have humans evolved to smell?
Differences to give offspring the best immune system
What are universal behaviours?
Aggression- over things that would help us survive (land, food, water etc)
Facial expressions
What are the biological approach features?
1) humans and their behaviour has evolved
2) influenced by their genetic makeup and inheritance
3) uses biological structures to explain behavvooour
4) uses twin studies to study behaviour
Is MZ identical or non-identical?
MZ= identical
DZ= non-identical
What do family studies show?
They have the same environment and similar genetics- we cannot establish what is due to genetics
Why do we use twin studies?
We ideally use MZ twins (have the same genetics)- we can observe the environmental influence- the concordance rate
What is the concordance rate?
The level of similarity between 2 people for a trait
Higher= the more likely the trait is genetic
Can twins experience the same environment?
No
What do we do with twins in order to see the effect of environment on behaviour?
Adoption studies (especially for MZ twins)- they have the same genetics and only the environment has changed- we cannot establish fully see the impact of environment on behaviour
In adoption studies, what does it show if both twins show the same behaviour?
It suggests genetics are the main factor of controlling behaviour
What does it show if twins show different behaviour in adoption studies?
It suggests its the behaviour
Everything psychological is first….
Biological
How can we understand human behaviour?
We must look to biological structures and processes within the body
Strength of biological approach- practical application?
Increased understanding of neurochemical processes in the brain is associated with the use of drugs to treat mental disorders
E.g. biological apach has promoted the treatment of depression using antidepressants that increase levels of serotonin at the synapse
People with depression may be able to manage their condition and live a normal life, rather than remain in hospital
Counterpoint of drug treatment?
Antidepressants dont work for everyone
Study conduced by Cipriani et al (2018) compared 21 antidepressants and found variations in their effectiveness
The researchers concluded the effects of the drugs were mainly modest
Suggests brain chemistry alone might not account for all cases of depression
