What is the biological approach?

Question 1

Biological approach ?

Answer 1

The importance of physcial processes in the body.
Such as genetic inheritance and neural function.

Question 2

Neurochemistry - What is its influence on behaviour?

Answer 2

Neurotransmitters are released at the synapse to enable communication between 2 neurons.

Question 3

What can an imbalance of neurochemicals cause?
(Effect on behaviour)

Answer 3

Can be a cause of mental disorders.
(Low levels of Serotonin in OCD)

Question 4

Genes - What is its influence on behaviour ?

Answer 4

Influences how the brain and neurons are formed and function.

Psychological characteristics can be inherited from parents for example intelligence be inherited.

Question 5

What are Genotypes?

Answer 5

A persons genetic make-up - They are like genetic codes.

Question 6

What are Phenotypes ?

Answer 6

How genes are expressed through, physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics.

• They are expressions of the genotype.

Question 7

Evolution and behaviour

Answer 7

Innate behaviours that can provide survival advantages are selected and then become more common for that species. (Charles Darwin)

Question 8

Example of Evolutionary behaviour

Answer 8

Male-aggression linked to survival and competing for mates (reproducing).

The less aggressive males less likely to reproduce meaning aggressive traits would be passed on.

Question 9

A03 - Positive
Biological theories backed up by Empirical research studies

Answer 9

Drug studies
Soomro’s Meta-analysis

Show Drugs like SSRI’S reduce OCD symptoms.
This is because they influence activity on neurotransmitters like serotonin.

Question 10

A03 - Negative/Positive
Diathesis-stress model

Answer 10

Can be both biological and environmental factors can affect behaviour.

We may inherit a genetic vulnerability (Diathesis). (to aggression/poor mental health)

Stressors (traumatic events/drug use/neglect) are a trigger.

If someone has these genetic vulnerability but don’t have the presence of a stressor they will likely have a normal mental health.

Question 11

A03 - Negative
Biological determinism

Answer 11

All actions are predetermined by biological factors.

Example - Criminal behaviours could be due to criminal genes which can lead to legal responsibilities being questioned as we cannot control our genes.

Question 12

A03 - Positive
Practical application

Answer 12

Drug therapies developed for mental health conditions like OCD/Depression.

SSRI reduce serotonin reuptake to target specific neurochemical processes.