biological approach- assumptions

Question 1

What are the 3 assumptions for the biological approach?

Answer 1

Localisation of brain function, neurotransmitters, influence of evolution on behavior.

Question 2

what does localisation of brain function refer to?

Answer 2

This refers to the assumption that different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions.

Question 3

what is the cerbal cortext?

Answer 3

covers the brain, responsible for high order cognitive functions.

Question 4

how many sections can the cerbal cortext be divided into?

Answer 4

4

Question 5

what are the 4 sections of the cerbal cortext known as?

Answer 5

lobes

Question 6

what are the 4 lobes of the cerbal cortext

Answer 6

frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal

Question 7

frontal lobe- location

Answer 7

front of brain

Question 8

parietral lobe- location

Answer 8

middle section of the brain

Question 9

occupitial lobe- location

Answer 9

back of the brain

Question 10

temporal lobe- location

Answer 10

bottom section of the brain

Question 11

frontal lobe - responsibility

Answer 11

problem solving

Question 12

parietal lobe- responsibility

Answer 12

sensory processes such as pain

Question 13

occupital lobe- responsibility

Answer 13

interpreting visual stimuli

Question 14

temporal lobe- responsibility

Answer 14

auditory information

Question 15

example of localisation of brain function assumption

Answer 15

Paul Broca (1961)

Question 16

Paul Broca (1961)

Answer 16

• Exhibited the brain of a patient of someone who could only say ‘tan’
• Clear damage to the left frontal cortex, which disrupted the ability to produce speech

Question 17

what do evolutionary psychologists use to explain human behavior?

Answer 17

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution which states how species survive through natural selection.

Question 18

natural selection

Answer 18

a process where those who adapt to their environment tend to survive and produce offspring

Question 19

what can evolution be used to explain

Answer 19

how human mind and behaviors over millions of years are adapted to meet the demands of our individual environments.

Question 20

survival of the fittest

Answer 20

the genes which allow these individuals to be successful are passed onto the offspring who will therefore also have the ability to survive and evolve too

Question 21

example of evolution assumption

Answer 21

trivers

Question 22

trivers

Answer 22

• The foundation of romantic relationships is driven by how each sex has a different level of investment in ensuring their offspring’s survival
• women look for men with ambition, shelter and high earning capacity for them and their child
• Men look for fertile, youthful women to have a baby with

Question 23

what are neurotransmitters?

Answer 23

Chemical passengers and electrical signals which are passed from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron across the synapse.

Question 24

what happens when neurotransmitters cross the synapse?

Answer 24

they change into a chemical signal

Question 25

what happens when the neurotransmitter reaches the postsynaptic neuron

Answer 25

it is absorbed and changes the chemical signal back into an electrical one. This process then continues.

Question 26

dopamine

Answer 26

- controls bodily movements and emotional responses - dopamine deficiency leads to mental health conditions such as depression

Question 27

serotonin

Answer 27

- affects both emotion and motor skills - supports sleeping, eating and digestion

Question 28

What is the example of the neurotransmitters assumption?

Answer 28

Aron et al (2008)

Question 28

Aron et al 2008

Answer 28

Dopamine plays a critical part in the formation of a romantic relationship as it activates the reward centre of the brain as well as the sex hormones. Therefore, it is partly the reason for someone to find someone else attractive.