Biological approach Flashcards
(15 cards)
Biological approach
-The biological approach argues that in order to full understand human behaviour, we must look at biological structures and processes in the body
Influence of biological structures on behaviour (endocrine system)
-The endocrine system is a body-wide network of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream to target cells/organs
-In the fight or flight response, the brain stimulates the adrenal gland, which causes it to secrete the hormone adrenaline, which then causes a range of physiological changes in the body such as increased heart rate, pupil dilation, inhibition of digestion, etc
-Additionally, hormones can have long-term effects; for example sex hormones oestrogen and testosterone play a role in the development of gender-specific features
Localisation of function for the biological approach
-The biological approach argues that brain function is localised; meaning that specific brain areas are responsible for specific behaviours; for example the occipital lobe is responsible for visual perception
Strength of the biological approach (use of scientific methods such as brain scans)
-One strength of the biological approach is that it uses highly scientific methods; techniques such as brain scans (fMRIs and EEGs) produce reliable and easily replicable data
-This suggests that the approach is based on empirical evidence, which increases the external validity of the approach
Influence of neurochemistry on behaviour
-Neurotransmitters have a range of roles in influencing human behaviour e.g serotonin is associated with happiness and well-being, and dopamine is associated with pleasure
-Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters have also been thought to affect the development of mental disorders; for example low levels of serotonin have been associated with OCD, and low levels of dopamine have been implicated with depression
Positive evaluation of the biological approach (Practical application such as development of SSRIs)
-An advantage of the biological approach is that it has practical applications; such as the development of SSRIs
-SSRIs are a form of drug therapy that treats depression and OCD, and work by inhibiting (slowing down) the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neurone, allowing it to transmit its signal or interact with the post-synaptic cell, influencing behaviour by improving mood
Genetic explanation within the biological approach
-A key assumption of the biological approach is that behaviour is influenced by genetic inheritance; genes are passed down from parents to offspring, and these affect physical and psychological characteristics
Genotype + phenotype
-Genotype is the genetic code in the DNA for the characteristics of an organism
-Phenotype is the physical expression of the genotype and is a combination of both the genes and environment interacting
-Psychologists argue that there are genotypes for behaviours and that phenotypes are the expression of these behaviours
-Genotypes and phenotypes may not match; for example someone may have the genotype for being tall but are short as they did not receive adequate nutrition during childhood
Concordance rate to investigate genetic inheritance
-Biological psychologists often use concordance rates (how likely an individual is to have a disorder if a relative has it) to study genetic inheritance
-Higher concordance rates between more closely related relatives e.g MZ twins, suggests genetic influence
Support for concordance rate to indicate genetic influence (prevalence rates of 2%)
-For exmaple; The general population’s prevalence rate for OCD is 2%, however with first degree relatives, the concordance rate is 10%, with Dizygotic twins (who share 50% of their DNA) the concordance rate is 31%, and with Monozygotic twins (who share 100% of their DNA) their concordance rate was 68%, indicating that there is a genetic influence on behaviour
Evolutionary part of the biological approach
-Evolutionary psychologists explain genetically determined behaviours as the result of natural selection, where traits that enhance survival chances are passed on and inherited
-For example, aggression is seen as an adaptive trait as it was once used to fight off predators and enemies
Essay writing
-Influence of neural structures on behaviour
-Influence of neurotransmitters on behaviour
-Influence of genes on behaviour
-Influence of evolution on behaviour
Negative evaluation of the biological approach (may not be a full explanation for behaviour+ diathesis stress model more holistic)
-In MZ twins (who share 100% of their DNA), the concordance rate of OCD is 68%, this suggests that the biological approach is not a full explanation for behaviour
-The diathesis stress model may be a better explanation for behaviour, suggesting that an individual may have a genetic vulnerability for a disorder (diathesis), but it will not occur unless there is an environmental trigger (stressor)
-This is a more holistic explanation of behaviour as it takes into account environmental influences
Negative evaluation of the biological approach
-A limitation of the biological approach is that it is biologically deterministic; the approach assumes that all behaviour is solely controlled by biological processes such as genes and hormones and does not take into account the influence of free will
-This has significant implications, especially in aggression and criminality, as individuals may not be responsible for their actions
overallll
-Endocrine system
-Localisation of function
-neurochemisty
-genotype and phenotype
-concordance rates
-Genes
-Evolutionary explanation
