The Biological Approach Flashcards
(6 cards)
What is the biological approach?
The Biological Approach views human beings as biological organisms and so provides biological explanations to explain all aspects of behaviour. They are particularly interested in how genes can be passed from generation to generation. An understanding of brain structure and function can explain thoughts and behaviour- everything psychological is at first biological meaning that all thoughts feelings and behaviour ultimately have a physical basis.
What is a genotype?
actual genetic makeup that dictates characteristics such as eye and hair colour.
What is a phenotype?
is the way that genotypes are expressed as a product of interaction with the environment.
e.g. Hair Length- an individuals genes determines whether we grow hair on our heads but how long this hair grows remains on environmental factors e.g. heat damage, chemicals etc.
Explain the genetic basis of behaviour.
Twin studies are used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates (a term that is used to describe the rate of probability that two people with shared genes will develop the same organic disease). If Monozygotic Twins (identical) are found to have a higher concordance rates than Dizygotic (non-identical)- this would suggest a genetic basis. This is because MZ twins share 100% of each-others genes, whilst DZ twins share about 50%.
Explain evolution in terms of behaviour.
Charles Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection to explain evolution. The main principle of this theory is that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual’s survival (and reproduction) will continue in future generations, i.e. be naturally selected. This selection takes place ‘naturally’- the selection just takes place because some traits give the pocessor certain advantages. The possessor is more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on these traits. If the individual survives but does not reproduce, the traits do not remain in the gene pool.
Give an example of research in the biological approach.
Bouchard and McGue (1981) conducted a review of 111 worldwide studies which compared the IQ of family members. The correlation figures below represent the average degree of similarity between the two people (the higher the similarity, the more similar the IQ scores).
Identical Twins raised together = 86% correlation
Identical Twins raised apart = 72% correlation
Non-Identical Twins = 60% correlation
Siblings reared together = 47% correlation
Siblings reared apart = 24% correlation
Cousins = 15% correlation
