Biological approach

• Biological approach assumptions

  • Suggests that everything psychological is at first biological
  • To understand human behaviour, we must look to biological structures such as genes and the nervous system
  • If we understand the brain, we can explain our thoughts and behaviour
• The biological approach proposes that behaviour is influenced by genes, hormones, neurotransmitters, the brain and evolution
• Genes act as the instructions / blueprints for making the components of the organisms
• Genotype is the genetic configuration of an invididual
• Phenotype is the combined effect of inheritance and environment
• The brain is the centre of all conscious and unconscious thoughts. Interactions between regions of the brain help control different functions
• Neurochemistry

  • Neurotransmitters are released at the synapse to enable communication between two neurons
  • These neurotransmitters play a range of roles in influencing behaviour
  • Neurochemical imbalances in the brain are often associated with abnormal behaviour
• Serotonin - well being & happiness

  Dopamine - Pleasure

  Noradrenaline - Attention

  Glutame - Learning & memory
• Charles Darwin natural selection theory

  • Proposes that any genetically determined behaviour will enhance an individuals survival and pass on its genes to their offspring
• Evaluations of the Biological approach

  • Argues that biological structures influence behaviour and are backed up by research studies therefore are very reliable (e.g. fMRI, drug trials. PET scans)
  • Presents a strong nature viewpoint on the nature-nurture debate
  • Considered very reductionist as it underestimates the role of our environment
  • Does not account for the influence of our environment
• Supporting evidence of the biological approach

  P - To investigate the genetic and biological bases of behaviour, the biological approach makes use of a range of precise and highly scientific methods

  E - These include scanning techniques such as fMRI and EEGs, family and twin studies and drug trials.

  E - it is possible to measure biological and neural processes accurately in ways that are less open to bias and more objective

  L - This means that the biological approach is based on reliable data and has a credible scientific basis.  
• Contradictory evidence for the biological approach

  P - Neurochemical explanations are correlational 

  E - The evidence for this relationship comes from studies that show a particular drug reduces symptoms of mental disorder and it is assumed that the neurochemical in the drug is the root of the disorder.

  E - However, discovering an association between two factors does not make it causal as the imbalance may be the effect of the disorder.

  L - Limitation because it is claiming to have discovered causes where only an association exists which is an issue for the approach.