The Biological Approach

Question 1

What does the Biological Approach believe about behavior?

Answer 1

Behavior is rooted in the physiology and biology of the body.

Question 2

What are the core assumptions of biopsychologists?

Answer 2

• Genetics
• Evolution
• The central nervous system
• Biochemistry

Question 3

How do genetics influence behavior according to the Biological Approach?

Answer 3

The genes an individual possesses influence his or her behavior.

Question 4

What role does evolution play in behavior according to biological psychologists?

Answer 4

Behavior evolves in the same way as physical characteristics through evolutionary adaptation.

Question 5

What is the central nervous system’s role in behavior?

Answer 5

The brain is the main focus when explaining behavior as it is seen to be the origin of how the world is perceived and acted upon.

Question 6

How does biochemistry relate to behavior?

Answer 6

Varying levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters and hormones) in the brain and body are thought to influence behavior.

Question 7

What does the Biological Approach suggest about the mind and brain?

Answer 7

The mind stems from the brain, meaning all thoughts, feelings, and behavior have a physical basis.

Question 8

What is heredity?

Answer 8

The process where characteristics are passed from one generation to the next through genes.

Question 9

How do biological psychologists view behavioral characteristics?

Answer 9

They believe that behavioral characteristics such as intelligence and personality are inherited like physical traits.

Question 10

What is the genetic relationship between individuals and their biological parents?

Answer 10

All individuals share 50% of their genes with each biological parent.

Question 11

What is a genotype?

Answer 11

An individual’s genetic make-up inherited from biological parents.

Question 12

What is a phenotype?

Answer 12

The expression of an individual’s genetic make-up influenced by the environment.

Question 13

What do twin studies compare?

Answer 13

They compare pairs of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins to establish genetic influence on behavior.

Question 14

What does a high concordance rate in twin studies suggest?

Answer 14

It suggests that the behavior has a genetic component.

Question 15

What do adoption studies examine?

Answer 15

They examine concordance rates for a behavior between an adoptive child and their biological parent.

Question 16

Why are adoption studies significant?

Answer 16

They indicate genetic influence since adoptive children share 0% of their genes with their adoptive parents.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The genotype dictates characteristics such as _______.

Answer 17

eye and hair color.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: Environmental factors can affect how likely a person is to achieve their _______.

Answer 18

potential height.

Question 19

True or False: Identical twins have 100% genetic similarity.

Answer 19

True.

Question 20

True or False: The phenotype is solely determined by genetic factors.

Answer 20

False.

Question 21

What is the definition of genotype?

Answer 21

The genetic potential of an individual

Question 22

What is the definition of phenotype?

Answer 22

The actual characteristics expressed by an individual

Question 23

True or False: Phenotype is solely determined by genetic factors.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

What does the term ‘survival machines’ refer to in the context of evolution?

Answer 24

Organisms programmed to preserve their genes

Question 25

According to biological psychologists, what drives the evolution of physical characteristics and behavior?

Answer 25

Natural variation and inheritance

Question 26

What is natural selection?

Answer 26

The process where individuals compete for resources and those who survive reproduce

Question 27

List three behaviors that may have evolved due to natural selection.

Answer 27

* Maternal love * Mate preferences * Aggression

Question 28

What is maternal love considered in the context of evolution?

Answer 28

A form of parental investment that increases offspring survival

Question 29

What characteristics do males prefer in females according to evolutionary psychology?

Answer 29

Characteristics that indicate fertility

Question 30

What characteristics do females prefer in males according to evolutionary psychology?

Answer 30

Characteristics that indicate status and resource provision

Question 31

How is aggression viewed in the context of evolution?

Answer 31

As an adaptive behavior that improves survival and access to resources

Question 32

What is neurochemistry?

Answer 32

The biochemistry of the central nervous system

Question 33

What role do neurotransmitters play in behavior?

Answer 33

They affect behavior by transmitting signals in the brain

Question 34

What is an example of an excitatory neurotransmitter?

Answer 34

Dopamine

Question 35

What is an example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter?

Answer 35

Serotonin

Question 36

Fill in the blank: When a nerve impulse reaches the end of one neuron, a _______ is released.

Answer 36

neurotransmitter

Question 37

What is the synapse?

Answer 37

The junction where neurotransmitters travel between neurons

Question 38

Describe the process of natural selection.

Answer 38

Mutation leads to traits that enhance survival or reproduction, which are then passed on

Question 39

How does aggression contribute to reproductive success?

Answer 39

It can make individuals more attractive to potential mates

Question 40

What are the core assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 40

Behaviour is affected by genetics, the central nervous system, biochemistry, and evolution ## Footnote These assumptions highlight the biological factors influencing human behaviour.

Question 41

How do genes influence behaviour according to the biological approach?

Answer 41

Genes influence behaviour through heredity as behaviours may be inherited from biological parents ## Footnote This suggests that genetics play a significant role in shaping behaviour.

Question 42

What role do hormones play in behaviour according to the biological approach?

Answer 42

Levels of specific hormones can affect behaviour by altering the activity of cells ## Footnote Endocrine glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream, impacting behaviour.

Question 43

What neurotransmitter is associated with schizophrenia in the biological approach?

Answer 43

Dopamine ## Footnote High levels of dopamine are believed to contribute to the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Question 44

How does evolution influence behaviour according to the biological approach?

Answer 44

Evolution influences behaviour through natural selection, where traits that enhance reproductive success are passed on ## Footnote Variation in traits is inherited, affecting behaviour over generations.

Question 45

What is a strength of the biological approach related to treatment?

Answer 45

It has produced successful treatments such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs ## Footnote These treatments are effective for a range of psychological abnormalities.

Question 46

What evidence supports the effectiveness of SSRIs according to Soomro et al. (2009)?

Answer 46

SSRIs showed significantly better results than a placebo for reducing depressive symptoms ## Footnote This indicates the biological approach's contribution to effective psychological treatments.

Question 47

How does the biological approach enhance the scientific status of psychology?

Answer 47

It uses the scientific method, including experiments and objective techniques like brain scans ## Footnote This leads to research that establishes cause and effect.

Question 48

What is a limitation of the biological approach regarding animal research?

Answer 48

It often relies on experiments using non-human animals, which may not validly explain human behaviour ## Footnote Factors like culture, emotion, and cognition are more significant in humans.

Question 49

What is a limitation of the biological approach in the nature vs nurture debate?

Answer 49

It is over-simplistic and takes the nature side, ignoring environmental factors ## Footnote This one-sided view neglects the evidence of conditioning effects.

Question 50

What does the biological approach's reductionism imply?

Answer 50

It reduces complex human behaviour to its smallest components like genes and hormones ## Footnote This approach lacks a holistic explanation of behaviour.

Question 51

What stance does the biological approach take in the freewill vs determinism debate?

Answer 51

It supports determinism, claiming behaviour is a product of biological influences ## Footnote This perspective suggests individuals cannot be held responsible for their behaviour.