The Biological Approach - Description

Question 1

Everything psychological is first biological.

Answer 1

• To understand human behaviour must look at biological structures / processes within body.
• Genes / neurochemistry and nervous system.

Question 2

Behaviour has genetic and neurochemical basis.

Answer 2

• Behaviours inherited same as physical characteristics like height.
• Eg - 5HT1-D beta gene implicated with OCD.
• Neurochemistry explains behaviour.
• Eg - low serotonin in OCD.

Question 3

Mind and body are one and same.

Answer 3

• Biological perspective - mind lives in brain.
• Thoughts / feelings / behaviour has physical basis.
• Contrasts cognitive approach.
• Mind separate from brain.

Question 4

Twin studies investigate genetic basis of behaviour.

Answer 4

• Concordance rates between twins calculated.
• Extent twins share characteristics.
• Higher concordance rates among identical than non-identical twins - evidence of genetic basis.
  Monozygotic compared to dizygotic.
• Eg - 68% MZ twins both has OCD compared to 31% DZ twins (Nestadt, 2010).

Question 5

Difference between genotype and phenotype.

Answer 5

• Genotype is genetic makeup.
• Phenotype is way genes are expressed.
• Expressed through physical / behavioural / psychological characteristics.
• Expression of genotype (phenotype) is influenced by environmental factors.
• Eg - phenylketonuria (PKU) is genetic disorder prevented by restircted diet.
• Suggests human behaviour depends on interaction of nature and nurture.

Question 6

Theory of evolution used by biological approach to explain aspects of behaviour.

Answer 6

• Darwin (1859) proposed theory of natural selection.
• Genetically determined behaviour enhancing survival and reproduction will be passed to future generations.
• Adaptive genes give possessor and offspring advantages.
• Eg - attachment behaviour in newborns promotes survival and so adaptive and naturally selective.