biological approach - evaluation

Question 1

It uses scientific methods of investigation

Answer 1

• These include scanning techniques (e.g. fMRIs) and drug trials
• It is possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways that are not open to bias
• This means that the biological approach is based on reliable data

Question 2

It has real-life applications - psychoactive drugs

Answer 2

• development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental disorders such as depression
• This means that sufferers are able to live a relatively normal life, rather than in a hospital
• However, these drugs are not effective for every patient and they can have serious side effects

Question 3

It is difficult to establish cause and effect with neurotransmitters

Answer 3

• Studies have shown that a particular drug reduces symptoms of the disorder by changing levels of the neurotransmitter → it is assumed that the neurotransmitter is the cause
• This may only be an association and neurotransmitters are not the cause

Question 4

deterministic
- offenders
- what are the negative implications

Answer 4

• sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control
• negative implications - it would seem unfair to punish offenders if they were not responsible for their behaviour (it was their genes) and so criminals may be able to excuse their behaviour
• imply that humans have little control over behaviour = we are pre-determined to act in a certain way regardless of experience, free will or the environment

Question 5

It is difficult to separate nature and nurture = twin studies

Answer 5

• Twins and members of the same family all have similarities
• However, family members are exposed to similar environmental conditions - this is an important confounding variable

Question 6

Causation

Answer 6

• lack of activity in the ventral striatum is linked to the development of negative symptoms such as avolition
• Such behaviour tells us only that there is an association between brain structures and behaviour it doesn’t tell us whether reduced activity causes the behaviour or the behaviour causes§ low activity
• Problems with causation

Question 7

Studies have not found 100% concordance rates in MZ twins for disorders → environmental factors must be involved