The Biological Approach

Question 1

What are the main assumptions for the biological approach?

Answer 1

This approach views humans as biological organisms and our therefore our behaviour is determined by our genetic make up, biological process and structures.

Question 2

How do psychologists investigate the genetic basis of psychology?

Answer 2

• Twin Studies
• Adoption Studies

Question 3

What are the two types of twins?

Answer 3

• Monozygotic (identical)
• Dizygotic (fraternal)

Question 4

What are concordance rates?

Answer 4

Concordance rate = the extent (%) to which both twins share
the same characteristics, traits or disorders.
- (I.E) MZ twins have a 68% concordance rate for OCD. This
suggests there is a 68% genetic basis to the development of OCD as MZ twins share 100% DNA.

Question 5

What are adoption studies?

Answer 5

These studies involve comparing a trait or characteristic between adopted children and their
biological or adoptive parents.

Question 6

What is a genotype?

Answer 6

A persons genetic makeup, the genes an individual posses.

Question 7

What us a phenotype?

Answer 7

The observable traits/characteristics shown
by an individual. These characteristics are determined by both genes and the environment. Each person has a
different phenotype because their environment will differ in some way (even MZ twins)