BIOLOGICAL APPROACH:ASSUMPTIONS + RELATIONSHIP FORMATION

Question 1

define the first assumption of the biological approach.

Answer 1

The first assumption of the biological approach is evolutionary influences.

Question 2

the first strand of this is evolution. what is evolution?

Answer 2

This proposes that the human mind+ behaviour has
1. evolved over millions of years
2. to adapt to demands of individual environments,

Question 3

what is this based on?

Answer 3

based on Darwin’s theory of natural selection (1847)

Question 4

what is natural selection?

Answer 4

This is the idea that
-genetically determined behaviour
which enhances an individual’s chance of survival and reproduction
- will be naturally selected,
- and the genes will be passed onto the next generation.

Question 5

the inherited genes are the ___ approach?

Answer 5

This is the nativist approach,

Question 6

what is it believed to account for?

Answer 6

• and is believed to account for variance in a species,
• as different families inherit different genes.

Question 7

the second strand is environment of evolutionary adaptiveness (EEA). what is this?

Answer 7

• Furthermore, a key concept of the evolutionary approach is the environment of evolutionary adaptiveness;
• the environment and selective pressures at the time the species adapted.

Question 8

what does this assume?

Answer 8

It is assumed that only the forms of behaviour that ensure survival within a particular environment are adaptive.

Question 9

give an example of naturally selected behaviour.

Answer 9

• For example, altruistic behaviour would be selected in this theory,
• as it is an adaptive trait that enhances survival of the gene pool.

Question 10

give a real-life example that explains physiology linked to evolutionary theory.

Answer 10

• Namely humans having large brains relative to their body size;
• it has evolved responding to the complex social organisation of man.

Question 11

how is this adaptive - why was it naturally selected?

Answer 11

Humans with greater interpersonal skills are increasingly likely to survive
1. as they are better adapted to the social structure and dynamic environment,
2. granting them a selective advantage over those who do not.

Question 12

what is the selective advantage paradigm known as?

Answer 12

This is survival of the fittest.

Question 13

define the second assumption of the biological approach.

Answer 13

1.The second assumption is the localisation of brain function,
2. asserting that certain areas of the brain are responsible for different functions.

Question 14

what region contains the lobes? what is its function?

Answer 14

1. The cerebral cortex is functionalised for higher order cognitive function,
2. and is divided into four lobes:

Question 15

what are the four lobes?

Answer 15

frontal
parietal,
temporal,
and occipital,
each with specific functions.

Question 16

function of frontal lobe

Answer 16

frontal lobes are involved in
thinking
and creativity,
and have been linked to personalities.

Question 17

function of parietal lobe

Answer 17

parietal lobes
receive sensory information,

Question 18

three examples of this sensory information.

Answer 18

1. like temperature,
   2.touch
2. and pain.

Question 19

function of temporal lobe

Answer 19

temporal lobes are
1responsible for memory
2 and auditory information processing.

Question 20

function of occipital lobe

Answer 20

occipital lobes are concerned with
1visual processing
2and receive information directly from the eyes.

Question 21

give an example from psychology.

Answer 21

1) Additionally, there are specific areas of the brain linked to the processing of language.
2) Wernicke’s area is in the posterior portion of the left temporal lobe.

Question 22

this is eponymous of whom?

Answer 22

1)Carl Wernicke, a German neurologist,
2) discovered another area of the brain involved in understanding language.
3)His patients could speak but were unable to understand language.

Question 23

define the third assumption of the biological approach.

Answer 23

The third assumption of the biological approach is neurotransmitters.

Question 24

what is the basis of the nervous system?

Answer 24

1)Neurons are electrically excitable cells that form the basis of the nervous system.
2)The flexibility of the nervous system is enhanced by having many branches at the end of each neuron called dendrites,
3)connecting neurons to many others.

Question 25

how do these neurons communicate?

Answer 25

1)One neuron communicates with another neuron at a synapse 2)where the message is relayed by neurotransmitters.

Question 26

how are these released? what do they do?

Answer 26

1)These are released from presynaptic vesicles in one neuron, 2)and either stimulates or inhibits receptors in the other neuron

Question 27

describe stimulatory neurotransmitters. give an example.

Answer 27

Stimulatory neurotransmitters increase the likelihood of a neuron being excited, for example, adrenaline elevates alertness.

Question 28

describe inhibtory neurotransmitters. give an example.

Answer 28

Inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease the likelihood of a neuron being excited, thus promoting calmness and sleep. For example, serotonin, which for this reason regulates mood,sleep and appetite.

Question 29

link to mental health?

Answer 29

Neurotransmitters influence mental health.

Question 30

influence of neurotransmitters in depression.

Answer 30

1)Lack of serotonin has been found in depressed individuals. 2)Thus some antidepressants medications work by increasing the availability of serotonin at postsynaptic receptor sites.

Question 31

influence of neurotransmitters in schizophrenia.

Answer 31

1)High levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine have been associated with schizophrenic symptoms, 2)supported by the fact that drugs which block dopamine activity reduce these symptoms.

Question 32

RELATIONSHIP FORMATION

Question 33

describe the first assumption related to relationship formation.

Answer 33

1) The first assumption proposes that romantic relationships form with individuals who possess certain traits that enhance successful reproduction. 2)These are naturally selected.

Question 34

is this the same for males and females?

Answer 34

However, males and females experience different selective pressures.

Question 35

What do men therefore do?

Answer 35

Males do well to mate as frequently as they can.

Question 36

What type of women do males select?

Answer 36

and select women who are 1)younger 2)and healthier, 3)thus more fertile.

Question 37

what traits are indicative of youth, health and fertility? what does this constitute?

Answer 37

Indicative of this are 1)smooth skin, 2)glossy hair, 3)red lips, 4)thin waist, 5)wide hips 6)and large breasts, which comprise ‘physical attractiveness’.

Question 38

how does this align with what women select?

Answer 38

Similarly, females seek signs of 1fertility 2and healthiness in their partner,

Question 39

what do women prioritise in mate selection?

Answer 39

but prioritise finding a mate that can provide the resources for their offspring to survive,

Question 40

what traits are indicative being a provider?

Answer 40

contemporarily, 1)high earning capacity, 2)ambition 3)and shelter.

Question 41

why do male and females differ in selective pressures? tie this to a psychological theory.

Answer 41

This is due to different levels of parental investment (Trivers,1972)

Question 42

so what are females level of investment?

Answer 42

1_which means that female mammals, tend to invest more in their offspring, 2)as they have the physical burden of pregnancy and 3)thus a higher level of risk involved.

Question 43

what is the consequence on female mate selection?

Answer 43

Therefore, females must be ‘choosier’ in mate selection.

Question 44

what type of romantic relationship does this explain?

Answer 44

1)This propones why a younger woman forms a relationship with an older man 2)-- he has had more time to accumulate said resources.

Question 45

what are males level of investment?

Answer 45

1)Conversely males have less investment; 2)once they have impregnated the female, there is no physical risk.

Question 46

what is the consequence on male mate selection?

Answer 46

1)Thus, physical attractiveness is of greater priority (Buss et al, 1989) 2)as these are signs of good genes 3)and successful reproductive capacity.

Question 47

describe the second assumption related to relationship formation.

Answer 47

1)The second assumption is the localisation of brain function. 2) In terms of the sexual desire that governs romantic relationship formation,

Question 48

name a region of the brain associated with mate selection and how it does so.

Answer 48

1)the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) influences mate selection 2)based on whether a potential mate is perceived as desirable.

Question 49

where is this region located?

Answer 49

1)The OFC is located in the frontal lobe region of the brain, 2)specifically the prefrontal cortex region of the limbic system,

Question 50

what is the function of the OFC?

Answer 50

and is involved in 1)impulse control +2)response inhibition.

Question 51

how does the OFC influence romantic relationship formation?

Answer 51

1)The OFC decides whether it is beneficial to act on a sexual stimulus. depending on the rewards that would be given. 2) Viewing a beautiful face should stimulate the OFC in both sexes, as beauty should be rewarding.

Question 52

give a psychological example of beauty as rewarding. name + date, findings, what this indicates relating to romantic relationship formation

Answer 52

1)Ishai (2007) 2)found that observing beauty in members of the opposite sex raised the action of the OFC for both sexes, 3) thus providing evidence that the localisation of brain function influences romantic relationships.

Question 53

evidence by ___ supports this finding. who?

Answer 53

Evidence provided by Little et al (2011) concurrently supported this.

Question 54

what does the OFC do in influencing romantic relationships according to Little et al(2011)?

Answer 54

OFC does this by 1) indicating the desire to the individual 2) encouraging action of the biological signal.

Question 55

what does this comprise of and how does this influence romantic relationship formation?

Answer 55

1)In all, this comprises ‘physical attraction’, 2)which is the foundation for romantic relationships to form.

Question 56

describe the third assumption related to relationship formation.

Answer 56

The third assumption is that: 1)neurotransmitters in the brain have a significant effect on emotions 2)in turn influencing perception of others, including potential mates.

Question 57

give an example of a neurotransmitter and what it is associated with.

Answer 57

For example, dopamine is associated with 1)pleasure seeking 2) reward-driven behaviour,

Question 58

what stage in romantic relationship formation could dopamine be associated with?

Answer 58

courtship behaviour!

Question 59

could courtship behaviour be explained in terms of dopamine?

Answer 59

which could explain courtship behaviour in the context of sexual selection.

Question 60

how could courtship behaviour be explained in terms of dopamine?

Answer 60

1)individuals experience pleasurable feelings when driven to secure a desirable partner, 2) + a surge of dopamine is released upon achieving this.

Question 61

give a psychological example of dopamine release in desire. name + date, findings, what this indicates relating to romantic relationship formation

Answer 61

For instance, 1) Cacioppo (2012), 2)found that, using FMRI technology, 3)in the male brain, attractive female faces elicited dopamine release, unlike unattractive ones.

Question 62

give a further psychological example about the role of dopamine in arousal. name + date, findings.

Answer 62

Aron et al (2008) concluded that: 1)dopamine plays a significant role in arousal , 2) as it activates the reward circuits in the brain 3) +amplifies the effects of sex hormones, 4)thus strengthening sexual desire.

Question 63

how does arousal link to romantic relationship formation?

Answer 63

Thereby, governing romantic relationship formation.

Question 64

what do these findings show about attraction, arousal and neurology?

Answer 64

This shows the powerful neurological impact meeting an attractive mate can have at first sight;

Question 65

what is this neurological phenomenon known as?

Answer 65

1)a neurological phenomenon often misconstrued as ‘love at first sight’, 2) which comprises mate attraction.

Question 66

how does this ALL relate to romantic relationship formation? think localisation also.

Answer 66

1) Concordantly with the activity of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), 2)this acts as the starting point for romantic relationships to form.

Question 67

what other stages of romantic relationship formation is dopamine associated with?

Answer 67

Dopamine is also associated with 1) the euphoric feelings experienced at the beginning of romantic relationships, 2) whereby an individual is infatuated with their partner.

Question 68

how can this explain the drive to form relationships? support this with empirical evidence.

Answer 68

This can explain why humans feel driven to form these relationships; 1) they give a natural ‘high’ akin to the neurological impact of drugs 2) as multiple areas of the brain are inundated with dopamine 3)(Takahashi et al., 2015).

Question 69

what happens to dopamine levels over time?

Answer 69

1)This level of dopamine decreases over time, 2)hence infatuation ends around 6 months, as the relationship matures.

Question 70

what can this decrease lead to?

Answer 70

1)Not experiencing initial euphoria, concordant with decreasing endorphins, can be perceived as falling ‘out of love’. 2) This can cause distress, leading to premature relationship termination.

Question 71

what also occurs in relationship maturation?

Answer 71

1) However, oxytocin is released as long-term attachment forms.

Question 72

what is oxytocin's function? what is it responsible for?

Answer 72

Also 1)responsible for bonding in the parent-infant dyad, 2) oxytocin fosters - trust, - connection - +loyalty.

Question 73

when is oxytocin released?

Answer 73

- +is released in physical intimacy, - like holding hands or hugging.

Question 74

give empirical evidence linking oxytocin levels and romantic relationships. name, date.

Answer 74

- Higher levels of oxytocin are correlated with higher stability in romantic relationships - (Schneiderman et al., 2012).