biological approach Flashcards
4 assumptions
- behaviour could be explained through genetics
- genetic material comes from biological parents so we may inherit some behaviours
- diathesis stress model- genetics and environment together, genetics provide a vulnerability
- all thoughts and feelings have a physical base
twin studies and concordance rates
-behavioural characteristics are inherited the same as physical things
-concordance rates in twins that have schizophrenia
-MZ = 48% of pairs both had it
-DZ = 17% concordance rate
shows genetics are involved (vulnerability)
environmental factors are important too
other word for identical twins
monozygotic
other word for non identical twins
dizygotic
genotype means
actual genes
phenotype means
how its expressed in the environment
genotype and phenotype are interested in
relative contribution of nature vs nurture
important to know for controlling behaviour or treatments
evolution and behaviour
species have to adapt to environment to survive
survival of the fittest and natural selection
social change quicker than evironmental change
neurochemisty
neurotransmitters are released when one nerve impulse reaches the end
travels over the synapse
excitory neurotransmitters trigger
nerve impulses to stimulate brain into action
inhibitory neurotransmitters stop
nerve impulses to calm the brain
hormones are
a chemical produced by endocrine glands secreted into the bloodstream by endocrine glands
travel to ‘target’ cells - causes physiological reaction
3 positives of biological approach
uses precise highly scientific methods
can accurately measure this approach
based on reliable data
real life application of biological approach
led to development of drugs to treat mental illnesses e.g. OCD
one negative of biological approach
some human behaviours have cultural origins rather than survival
