lesson 6 the biological approach

Question 1

what does the biological approach suggest?

Answer 1

everything psychological begins on a biological basis so to fully understand human behaviour we must look to biological structures and processes within the body such as genes, neurochemistry and the nervous system

Question 2

define heredity

Answer 2

the passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through the genes and is the reason why offspring take after their parents in terms of psychological characteristics

Question 3

what influences how a gene develops?

Answer 3

its interaction with other genes and the influence of the environment

Question 4

what is the nature-nurture debate?

Answer 4

the extent to which a psychological characteristic is determined by the genes or environment

Question 5

what do behaviour geneticists study?

Answer 5

whether behavioural characteristics such as intelligence, personality, mental disorders are inherited in the same way physical characteristics are

Question 6

what are used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis?

Answer 6

twin studies

Question 7

how are twin studies used?

Answer 7

by comparing concordance rates between pairs of twins to see the extent of which both twins share the same characteristic

Question 8

what shows that there is a genetic basis for behavioural characteristics?

Answer 8

if monozygotic twins are found to have higher concordance rates than dizygotic twins for musical ability, schizophrenia, love of romantic films etc

Question 9

define genotype

Answer 9

the genetic make-up of a person

Question 10

define phenotype

Answer 10

the way the genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics

Question 11

what can the phenotype be influenced by and what does this illustrate?

Answer 11

environmental factors
that much of human behaviour depends on an interaction between inherited factors and the environment

Question 12

what theory explains the fact of evolution?

Answer 12

Charles Darwin
theory of natural selection

Question 13

what is the main principle of the theory of natural selection?

Answer 13

that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual’s survival and reproduction will continue in further generations

Question 14

when does natural selection happen in nature naturally?

Answer 14

when the characteristics an individual has is advantageous

Question 15

what is another way natural selection is referred to as?

Answer 15

survival of the fittest

Question 16

what does the evolutionary theory explain?

Answer 16

aggression, sexual selection in partner preferences and attachments

Question 17

what is the main focus for the study of neurochemistry?

Answer 17

synaptic neurotransmitters

Question 18

what is a neurotransmitter?

Answer 18

a chemical messenger that balances, boosts and carries signals between neurons

Question 19

what behaviour is serotonin implicated in?

Answer 19

sleep
memory
emotions
appetite
social behaviour
sexual behaviour

Question 20

what type of drugs affect neurotransmitters?

Answer 20

psychoactive drugs like cocaine

Question 21

how does cocaine affect the brain?

Answer 21

acts at synapses
blocks the reuptake of dopamine back into the presynaptic gap
leads to the rush of euphoria

Question 22

what does OCD and depression cause?

Answer 22

disruption to neurochemistry

Question 23

what is OCD characterised by?

Answer 23

obsessive thoughts that create anxiety and compulsions

Question 24

how is serotonin linked to OCD?

Answer 24

serotonin has a role in repetition of tasks and a lack of serotonin may explain the constant repetition

Question 25

what is a treatment for OCD?

Answer 25

selective serotonin uptake inhibitors

Question 26

what causes schizophrenic symptoms?

Answer 26

both high and low levels of dopamine causes hallucinations, delusions and avolition

Question 27

what is a treatment for schizophrenia?

Answer 27

antipsychotic medication which corrects the low/high levels of dopamine and reduces symptoms

Question 28

what is an important focus for the biological perspective?

Answer 28

to map the relationship between various parts of the brain and their functions

Question 29

describe the case study of Phineas Gage

Answer 29

railroad worker in 1848 explosion caused a metal bar to pass though his skull and brain Gage continued to function normally except he became quick tempered and foul-mouthed damage occurred to frontal lobes which affects these traits

Question 30

what do modern scanning methods provide?

Answer 30

further insights into localisation of function

Question 31

describe Raine et al (1997) study

Answer 31

examined the PET scans of violent criminals comparing these with matched controls the scans showed reduced activity in the frontal lobes supporting Gage's study that this area is important in the control of impulsive behaviour

Question 32

strengths of the biological approach

Answer 32

- scientific methods of investigation as this approach uses fMRIs and EEGs scans to pinpoint brain abnormalities. also, uses family, twin and adoption studies to measure variables such as whether there is a genetic basis to disorders. measured scientifically and not open to bias so produces objective and reliable data - real-life application as increased understandings of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental disorders. have revolutionised treatment so people can live at home and not in hospital

Question 33

weaknesses of biological approach

Answer 33

- problems with determining cause and effect as it is unclear if low serotonin levels cause depression or whether they are the result of depression - determinist view as it is seen as biologically determinist as it sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes which we have no control over. so criminals that have the criminal gene aren't legally and morally responsible? - reductionist view as it is seen as biologically reductionist as it focuses on the idea of parsimony where the simplest explanation is the best explanation. so if schizophrenia is caused by high or low dopamine levels why don't these pills work for all people? ignores other possible causes - problems with evolutionary approach as it is difficult to separate genes passed down from culture and genetics