Biological approach

• What does the biological approach view human beings as?

  Biological organisms
• What does the biological approach provide explanations for?

  All aspects of psychological functioning
• What influences behavior according to the biological approach?

  Biological structures and processes within the body
• Which biological factors are mentioned as influencing behavior?

  Genes, neurochemistry, and the brain
• How do biological psychologists relate Darwin's ideas to human behavior?

  They explore how Darwin's ideas about evolution might apply to human behavior
• What are genes made of?

  Genes are made of DNA.
• What does heritability indicate about a trait?

  The more a trait is influenced by genetic factors, the greater its heritability.
• What is the heritability percentage of eye color according to research?

  Eye color is around 98% due to genetic factors.
• What is the heritability percentage of lung cancer?

  Lung cancer has a heritability of only 8%.
• How does the heritability of intelligence compare to that of eye color and lung cancer?

  Intelligence has about 60-80% heritability, which is lower than eye color but higher than lung cancer.
• What are the heritability percentages of eye color, lung cancer, and intelligence?

  • Eye Color: ~98%
  • Lung Cancer: ~8%
  • Intelligence: 60-80%
• What is the largest part of the brain?

  The cerebrum
• What percentage of the total mass of the brain does the cerebrum make up?

  About 85%
• What is the outer surface of the cerebrum called?

  The cerebral cortex
• What functions is the cerebral cortex responsible for?

  Higher order functions such as thought and language
• How is the cerebrum divided?

  Into two halves called hemispheres
• What are the subdivisions of each hemisphere of the cerebrum called?

  Lobes
• How does the structure of the cerebrum relate to its function in behavior?

  The cerebrum's division into hemispheres and lobes allows for specialization of functions related to behavior
• What is the definition of genotype?

  The genotype is the whole set of genetic information carried by an organism.
• What is the definition of phenotype?

  The phenotype is the physical expression of the genotype.
• What are neurotransmitters?

  Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain.
• What happens when neurotransmitters are released?

  They trigger nerve impulses which stimulate the brain.
• Which neurotransmitter is associated with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and aggression?

  Serotonin
• What are the effects of serotonin on behavior?

  • Associated with depression
  • Linked to anxiety
  • Related to eating disorders
  • Connected to aggression
• What are the different forms of genes called?

  Alleles
• What are the two types of alleles?

  Recessive and dominant
• What is the relationship between dominant and recessive genes?

  A dominant gene will always take priority over a recessive gene
• What is evolution?

  The process by which an organism changes over time to adapt to their environment
• How does evolution affect the genetic makeup of a species?

  It leads to a change over successive generations in the genetic makeup of the animal
• What is natural selection?


  One way in which evolution occurs
• What are some examples of physical characteristics and behaviors that differ among individuals in a species?

  Height, weight, aggression, etc.
• Why must individuals within a population compete for resources?

  Because resources such as mates and food are limited
• What happens to individuals who survive competition for resources?

  They will have had characteristics and behaviors that are more likely to lead to survival and reproduction
• What is the outcome for individuals who do not survive the competition for resources?

  They will not have characteristics and behaviors that lead to survival and reproduction
• What is sexual selection in the context of evolution?

  It is a process where traits evolve because they are attractive to the opposite sex.
• How does sexual selection contribute to reproductive success?

  It increases reproductive success by making individuals more attractive to potential mates.
• What is the outcome of increased reproductive success due to sexual selection?

  It leads to more offspring and the survival of their genes into the next generation.
• What is a strength of the biological approach in psychology?

  It is scientific.
• Why is the biological approach considered scientific?

  Because its explanations are based on biological facts that are objective.
• What leads to differences in behavior among individuals?

  A different combination of genetic instructions