Biological Approach

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 1

• All mental processes can be explained via our biology e.g. genes, neurochemistry and nervous system.

Question 2

What is the neurochemical basis of behaviour for the biological approach?

Answer 2

• Much of our thought and behaviours relies on chemical transmission within the brain via neurotransmitters.
• An imbalance of neurochemicals may cause mental disorders, e.g. OCD, schizophrenia

Question 3

What is the genetic basis of behaviour for the biological approach?

Answer 3

• Psychological characteristics like intelligence are inherited in the same way as height or eye colour.
• Twin studies are used to investigate this by determining their concordance rate.
• Monozygotic twins are expected to have a 100% concordance rate, whereas dizygotic twins a 50% concordance rate

Question 4

What is a persons genotype and phenotype for the biological approach?

Answer 4

Genotype = The genetic makeup of a person
Phenotype = The way a persons genotype is expressed through the environment.

Question 5

What does the biological approach state about evolution and behaviour?

Answer 5

• Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival and reproduction will be passed on through generations.

Question 6

Name the four evaluation points for the biological approach:

Answer 6

• Real world application (S)
• Scientific methods (S)
• Biological determinism (L)
• Criticism of natural selection (L)

Question 7

Explain the evaluation point ‘Real world application (S)’ for the biological approach:

Answer 7

• An increased understanding of the neurochemical processes allows us to use psychoactive drugs to treat mental disorders.
• e.g. the increased understanding of the role of serotonin has helped us assign antidepressant drugs to help treat depression.

Question 8

Explain the evaluation point ‘scientific methods (S)’ for the biological approach

Answer 8

• Scientific methods are used to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour
• Advancements in technology mean precise and highly objective techniques e.g. tMRIS, EEGs mean that it is possible to measure physiological and neural processes.

Question 9

Explain the evaluation point ‘biological determinism(L)’ for the biological approach

Answer 9

• Sees all behaviour as being caused by internal genetic causes which we have no control over.
• Contradicts the idea of phenotypes as they are heavily influenced by the environment.
• Not logical -a pair of monozygotic twins that grow up in different environments will not think and behave exactly the same.
• Is biology an excuse for committing criminal activity?

Question 10

Explain the evaluation point ‘criticism of natural selection (L)’ for the biological approach

Answer 10

• A limitation is that critics of Darwins work claim that it is not possible to falsifty the idea of natural selection.
• This is because we cannot show that evolution is happening, we can only infer that it has taken place.
• Falsification is a key principle of regarding psychology as a science- meaning natural selection fails to meet this criteria as it cannot be tested emperically.

Question 11

Biological approach - nature or nurture?

Answer 11

Nature

Question 12

Which three approaches are reductionist?

Answer 12

Behavioural
Biological
Psychodynamic

Question 13

What is reductionism?

Answer 13

The belief that human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down into its constituent parts.

Question 14

What is determinism?

Answer 14

Belief that all behaviour has an internal or external cause and is thus predictable.

Question 15

Which two approaches support hard determinism?

Answer 15

• Biological
• Behaviourist

Question 16

How is abnormal or faulty behaviour treated for the biological approach?

Answer 16

Drug therapy