Biological approach

Question 1

How does the biological approach explain behaviour?

Answer 1

As the direct product of our interactions with our body

Question 2

What are the key assumptions of the behaviorist approach?

Answer 2

• Direct correlation between brain activity and cognition
• Biochemical imbalances affect behaviour
• Brain physiology can affect behaviour
• Behaviour can be inherited (genes)

Question 3

What is genotype and phenotype?

Answer 3

• genotype: the genetic configuration of an individual
• phenotype: physical characteristics of an individual

Question 4

How does evolution explain behaviour?

Answer 4

• Process of natural selection
• characteristics that are not suited to an environment will die out as it struggles to adapt and evolve overtime
• evolved have adaptive characteristics that remain in future offsprings

Question 5

Define heretiability

Answer 5

A measure of how well differences in people genes account for differences in their traits

Question 6

What is heredity?

Answer 6

Passing of characteristics through genes

Question 7

What is concordance rate?

Answer 7

Extent to which a particular characteristic/ trait is shared

Question 8

What does the biological approach say about neurochemicals?

Answer 8

• Recognise the role of neurotransmitters in determining behaviour
• imbalances with synapse/neurotransmitters associated with typical behaviour
• serotonin: depression, aggression (low)
• Dopamine: Schizophrenia (high)

Question 9

A03 - Strength - Useful applications

Answer 9

• One strength of the biological approach is that it has useful applications
• For example, it provides clear predictions, e.g. about the effects of neurotransmitters, which we can then develop into appropriate treatments
• Research into the role of neurochemicals imbalance in depression has led to the development of drug treatments (such as SSRI’s), which corrects this imbalance and minimises depressive symptoms
• This means that the biological approach has led to successful and useful treatments that improve the quality of life for many individuals with psychological disorders

Question 10

A03 - Strength - Uses highly scientific methods

Answer 10

• The primary method of investigation that the biological approach uses to study behaviour is experimental methods
• Experimental methods take place in highly controlled environments, with standardised procedures
• Equally, the development of brain imaging and recording techniques has allowed the objective study of the brain and the localisation of function
• This means that researchers are able to replicate the research under the same experimental method, allowing the validity of theories to be studied and potentially increased.

Question 11

A03 - Limitation - Reductionist

Answer 11

• Reductionism is the belief that complex human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down into its smallest components such as the actions of genes, neurochemicals, and hormones
• For example, many explanations of mental disorders are reductionist because genes and neurochemical imbalances are believed to be the main cause of these disorders
• However, a reductionist approach lends itself to a scientific investigation, critics argue that we cannot fully understand a behaviour without taking into account other factors that influence it
• cognitive, emotional, cultural norms all of which have a scientific influence on behaviour
• This means that the bio approach may be overlooking the complexities of human behaviours by solely focusing on biological factors

Question 12

A03 - Limitation - Dangers taking an biologically determinist view on behaviour

Answer 12

• Additionally, there are dangers taking a biologically determinist view on behaviour.
• Recent research suggests a genetic basis for criminal behaviour an has led to concerns on how this information might be used
• Critics claim that this may lead to genetic screening of the whole population to identify this genetic susceptibility and subsequent discrimination against those who are predisposed for criminality
• Creates a danger that genes may be used as a convenient explanation for complicated human behaviour
• despite the fact that genes and criminal behaviour have far from straightforward connection
• therefore it may not be the best approach in explaining complex behaviours like criminality