BIOLOGICAL APPROACH

• What is a genotype?


  Refers to the genetic makeup of an individual based on their genetic material inherited from one's parents.
• What is a phenotype?


  Describes an individual's observable characteristics or traits, e.g. hair colour and height.
• What is the biological approach?


  Explains that all behaviour is linked to biology which has been developed though evolution.
• What is genetic inheritance?


  Genes that cause behaviour may be passed down from our parents. Psychologists look at human behaviour and try to offer biological reasons for that behaviour.
• What is neuro-anatomy?


  Differences in our brain might affect our behaviour.
• What is brain biochemistry?

  Chemical imbalances in our brain might affect our behaviour e.g. make us behave irrationally.
• What is Gesell's maturation theory?

  Theory as 'a biological unfolding of the individual according to a plan contained in the genes - the hereditary material passed on from parents to offspring at conception'.

  -Place of child development is determined before birth to a genetic map - skills, personality.
• What is the genetic basis of our behaviour?

  Study whether behavioural characteristics are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics.

  -Twin studies are used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates between pairs of twins.
• What is neuro-chemistry?


  The chemicals in the brain that regulate physiological and psychological function.
• That is evolution?


  The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations.
• What is Charles Darwins theory of natural selection?

  Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individuals reproduction and survival will continue into future generations. Selection is natural, and only occurs because some traits give the possesser certain advantages - more likely to survive and pass on the traits.

  -If the individual survives but doesn't breed the traits don't remain in the gene pool.
• What is a strength of the biological approach?

  Precise and scientific methods (empirical) - e.g. brain scanning techniques are useful for investigating functions of the brain

  -With technology it's possible its accurately measure biological snd neural processes in ways that are not open to bias- based on reliable data.
• What is a weakness of the biological approach?

  Unwanted side effects and only treat the biologically visible side effects - not the causes of problems.
• What is a weakness of the biological approach?

  Biologically determined - see human behaviour as being controlled and governed by internal biological causes that we have no control over - no room for free will

  -Implications for the legal system where free will is central to the idea of criminal culpability.
• What is a weakness of the biological approach?


  Twins and member of the family all have genetic similarities and the BA argues this is due to genetics.

  -All exposed to the same/similar environments- confounding variable as this could be seen as behaviourism.

  DZ and siblings have around 50% shared genetic material, yet DZ twins show higher level of concordance than siblings

  -Influence of the environment and not genetics.
• What is an example of neural anatomy?


  Schizophrenics have been shown to have different structures in their brains (larger ventricles and less brain mass).
• What is a weakness off the biological approach?

  Highly reductionist - reduces feelings and reactions to robot - like behaviour and ignores the factors in our everyday environment e.g. childhood experiences. complex behaviour such as thoughts and emotions are explained by low level biological explanations such as biochemicals.
• What is a strength of the biological approach?


  Real life applications - biological bases have been found for a range of psychological disorders. e.g. schizophrenics have been found too have different brain structures to others; high dopamine levels.

  A range of drug therapies have been developed to help people live a normal life.