Biological Approach

• What does the Biological Approach include:

  The influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour.

  Genotype and Phenotype.

  Genetic basis of behaviour.

  Evolution and behaviour.
• What does the approach emphasise?

  The importance of physical processes in the body.
• It is still prominent today due to advancements in technology, such as brain scans and our increased understanding of genes and behaviour.
• Everything psychological (i.e. behaviour/thoughts/emotions) are caused by something biological.
• How do we understand this behaviour?

  We must look at the biological structures and processes within the body.
• What are the biological structures?


  Genes-They make up chromosomes + DNA. Genes are transmitted from parent to offspring and behaviours may be inherited.

  Nervous system/neurochemistry-The chemicals in the brain can affect behaviour.

  Endocrine system-Glands secrete hormones that affect behaviours.
• Genes are passed on from one generation to the next and carry information in the form of DNA. This contains information about physical traits such as eye colour, but also a lot of things of interest to psychologists such as certain mental health disorders, personality traits amongst lots of other behaviours.
• What is Genotype?


  A person's genetic makeup which is fixed from birth.

  This is inherited from our parents.
• What is a Phenotype?


  A person's expression of their genes which leads to observable characteristics of a person.

  This is influenced by the environment and a person's genes.
• What is a MZ twin?


  Monozygotic- Identical
• What is a DZ twin?


  Dizygotic- Fraternal
• What are concordance rates?


  The degree of similarity between 2 individuals with respect to a specific trait.
• What are Twin studies?


  Used to tell us if a behaviour/trait has a genetic basis.
• Why are concordance rates studied?


  The % tells us the likelihood of a a trait having a genetic basis.

  The higher the % the more likely the behaviour/trait will have a genetic basis.
• Different lobes are associated with different functions e.g. the occipital lobe and visual information.
• The structure of organs such as the brain, Central Nervous System, the Peripheral Nervous System and the Endocrine system determine our behaviour.
• Who was Phineas Gage?


  Known for having survived a traumatic brain injury caused by an iron rod.
• Explain Gage's incident.

  Gage survived a traumatic brain injury caused by an iron rod that shot through his skull and obliterated the greater part of his left frontal lobe of his brain.

  He regained his physical strength and was able to to return to work.

  However, this dramatically changed his personality.

  Turned it from being humble and kind to rude and agressive.
• What did Gage's incident help Psychologists find out?


  That the frontal lobe was directly involved with personality.
• Give examples of Neurotransmitters

  Adrenaline

  Noradrenaline

  Dopamine

  Serotonin

  Gaba

  Acetylcholine
• What is the influence of Neurochemistry?

  Chemicals called neurotransmitters are important in determining our behaviour. Signals are sent between neurons by these chemical messages and imbalances can lead to atypical behaviour.
• Low levels of Serotonin- Depression

  High levels of Dopamine- Schizophrenia
• What was Buss's survey of heterosexual males?


  Across 37 countries, men preferred good looks, youthful and chastity while women preferred goof financial properties, industriousness and dependability.
• Two strengths of biological approach

  1. Uses scientific methods.
  2. There are real life applications.
• Two weaknesses of biological approach:

  1. Difficult to separate nature from nurture (genes from the environment.)
  2. Approach is deterministic.