Biological approach

Question 1

Localisation

Answer 1

Theory that certain parts of the brain correspond to certain functions and reflects the idea the behaviour, emotion and/or thoughts originate in specific regions of the brain

Question 2

Strict localisation

Answer 2

Suggests clear correspondence between psychological function and brain regions, and functions can be mapped onto the brain; research has not been entirely conclusive

Question 3

Localisation discussion points

Answer 3

Behaviours are often influenced by many different factors - cannot say that one specific part of the brain is the only thing responsible for a behaviour
Other regions of brain can take over specific functions after brain injury, suggesting functions are not localised to just one region

Question 4

Neuroplasticity

Answer 4

The development of neural networks through repetition and neural pruning; subject to both genetic and environmental (damage or learning) influences

Question 5

Neural pruning

Answer 5

The process in which unused synapses fade away while the relationship between synapses of neurons that communicate frequently with each other strengthens

Question 6

Neurotransmission

Answer 6

1. Neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles inside the terminal button
2. Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic gap
3. In the synapse neurotransmitters bind with receptor sites on the next neuron, and if enough of the neurotransmitters bind to receiving neuron receptor sites, the neuron will fire

Question 7

Excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 7

Excitatory: compel a neuron to activate, resulting in the impulse crossing the synapse
Inhibitory: reduce the likelihood of a neuron firing, preventing the impulse from crossing the synapse

Question 8

Agonists

Answer 8

Increase the effect of any given neurotransmitter by mimicking the neurotransmitter and binding to receptor sites

Question 9

Antagonists

Answer 9

Reduce the effect of a neurotransmitter by blocking receptor sites and thereby decreasing the neurotransmitter’s effect

Question 10

Acetylcholine

Answer 10

Excitatory neurotransmitter and endogenous agonist for ACh receptor sites
Plays a role in the consolidation of memory in the hippocampus

Question 11

Limitations of research into influence of neurotransmission on behaviour

Answer 11

Reductionist: X is usually not the only factor affecting the behaviour
Side effects: artificial increase in X may result in various other side effects
Cause and effect: effects of neurotransmitters may be indirect, sometimes with many links between ‘cause’ and ‘effect’
Delay: X may serve as a trigger for long-lasting process of change, resulting in a postponed effect

Question 12

MRI

Answer 12

Produce high resolution 3D image of brain structure without using X rays

Question 13

MRI procedure

Answer 13

Some atomic nuclei (particularly hydrogen) can emit energy when placed in an external magnetic field
Energy pulses are detected by the scanner and distribution of hydrogen atoms is mapped
Analysing pattern of emission of energy in response to magnetic fields and how long each tissue takes to return to equilibrium state following magnetic field excitation allows researchers to see inside brain

Question 14

MRI advantages

Answer 14

No exposure to radiation therefore less risk of radiation induced cancer
Better resolution allows for detection of abnormalities in soft tissue

Question 15

MRI disadvantages

Answer 15

Patients with metal are excluded due to metal attracting magnetic field
Slightly more expensive than CAT scan
Can detect slight abnormalities unrelated to original complaint, causing anxiety
Claustrophobic and requires lying still

Question 16

Hormones

Answer 16

Chemicals released into bloodstream by endocrine glands, which influence ‘target cells’ with receptors for specific hormone
When a hormone binds with a receptor it launches genomic changes (activation or suppression of genes)

Question 17

Cortisol

Answer 17

Secreted by adrenal glands as a result of stress - function is to release energy to support the fight-or-flight response, and plays a role in memory consolidation by interacting with the hippocampus

Question 18

Pheromones

Answer 18

Chemical messengers emitted into the environment from the body where they can then activate specific physiological or behavioural responses in other individuals of the same species

Question 19

AND

Answer 19

Potential pheromone, human steroid present in male semen and sweat - EST is the female version

Question 20

MHC

Answer 20

Group of genes that play important role in immune system - the more diverse the MHC genes of parents, the stronger the immune system of children

Question 21

Pheromones evaluation

Answer 21

Controversy around if pheromones actually affect behaviour
Unclear where pheromones come from in humans, as we do not have the brain structures animals use to process pheromones

Question 22

Diathesis-stress model

Answer 22

Explains origin of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as the result of the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental stress - an individual with certain genes, when exposed to a stressful environment, is more likely to develop depression than someone without those genes

Question 23

Epigenetics

Answer 23

Argues that for a behaviour to occur, genes must be ‘expressed’ (gene-environment interaction)

Question 24

Genetic expression

Answer 24

Chemical reaction to environmental or physiological changes that allow a gene to ‘do its job’, could result in a change

Question 25

Twin studies

Answer 25

If concordance rate (probability same trait is present in both twins) for monozygotic twins is significantly higher than for dizygotic twins or siblings, it is likely there is a genetic component to the behaviour If concordance rate is high for both MZ and DZ twins it may be assumed that environmental factors play a large role in the observed behaviour

Question 26

Twin studies limitations

Answer 26

Twins experience a very similar environment growing up, so it is difficult to isolate environmental influence as a variable However you should not overestimate the similarity of the environment - assuming that twins grow up in an equal environment is called the equal environment fallacy Twins are not highly representative of the general population, so it is difficult to generalise findings

Question 27

Family studies

Answer 27

More representative of general population than twin studies When a behaviour is suspected of being genetic within a family, psychologists use prospective studies (sample is selected and observed before certain behaviours appear) Concordance rates should increase if the heritability is high (and vice versa)

Question 28

Limitations of family studies

Answer 28

Difficult to obtain reliable data that goes back more than one generation Often reliant on anecdotal data (open to memory distortion) Diagnosis for some psychological disorders has only recently been formalised, so in many cases assumptions are made without clinical data

Question 29

Genetic argument for depression limitations

Answer 29

Genetic arguments are correlational, therefore no cause and effect relationship can be established Twin studies have issues with population validity - not representative of general population and tend to be small Impossible to isolate variables and separate role of environmental factors Not clear how genetic markers interact to produce behaviours associated with depression