The Biological Approach

Question 1

What are the assumptions about the biological approach?

Answer 1

Everything psychological is at first biological

All thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a physical basis

Focus should be on physical biological structures (brain structure) and processes (neurotransmitter signals)

Question 2

Explain what is meant by the neuro chemical basis of behaviour

Answer 2

Thoughts feeling and behaviour are caused by the chemical messages sent in our brains

E.g increase endorphins- feel happier- think more positively- make healthy choices

Question 3

What is meant by the term concordance rates?

Answer 3

The extent to which twins share the same characteristic

Question 4

What are monozygotic twins?

Answer 4

Identical twins, from the same egg, share 100% of their genes

Question 5

What are dizygotic twins?

Answer 5

Non-identical twins, 2 different eggs, share roughly 50% of their genes

Question 6

What is meant by the term genotype?

Answer 6

Actual genetic makeup

Question 7

What is meant by phenotype

Answer 7

The way genes are expressed through physical behaviours, psychological characteristics

Question 8

What does the diathermies stress model suggest?

Answer 8

Most humans behaviour is caused by an interaction between genes (nature) and the environment (nurture)

Question 9

What does the theory of natural selection suggest?

Answer 9

Any genetically determine behaviour that enhances survival (and reproduction) will continue to future generations ;
E.g aggression

Question 10

Supporting evidence of this theory

Answer 10

A study by Gottesman and Sheilds found that monozygotic twins have concordance rates of 42% in relation to SZ diagnoses in comparison to 1% in the general population. This illustrates that SZ is at least partially genetic because more genetically similar people are more likely to have the condition. This supports the biological assumption that everything psychological is at first biological and mental conditions can be inherited. Therefore, having supporting evidence increases the validity of the approach overall.

Question 11

How can the supporting evidence be criticised?

Answer 11

The concordance rates weren’t 100%

Question 12

How can this approach be applied

Answer 12

Increased understanding of neurochemical processes in the brain is associated with the use of psychoactive drugs to treat mental disorders. For example, assuming depression is biological, a biological treatment has been developed. This is the use of antidepressants that increase serotonin levels at synapses in the brain. Drugs such as these have been associated with reduction of depressive symptoms. Therefore, people with depression may be better able to manage their condition and allow them to live in the community rather than in hospitals. This is beneficial economically.

Question 13

Is this theory reductionistic or holistic?

Answer 13

Reductionisic
This approach is criticised for being biologically deterministic. This is because the bio approach claims that human behaviour is governed by internal, genetic causes that we have no control over. This is clearly over simplistic as even monozygotic twins do not have 100% concordance rates. A diathesis stress model is more likely as nature and nurture interact, considering nature and nurture. Therefore, the biological explanation might not consider the complexity of human behaviour.