biological approach

• define the biological approach

  thoughts arise from biological activity in brain regions and circuits
• what are the 3 main assumptions of this approach?

  1. genetics
  2. evolution
  3. neurochemistry and nervous system
• outline the assumptions made by the biological approach

  traits and behaviours have a biological basis

  • genetics (inheriting a genotype)
  • nervous system (structure and function of neurons)
  • neurochemistry (hormones and neurotransmitters)
  • evolution (natural selection)

  helps to explain, predict and treat behaviour
• outline the role of genetics in explaining behaviour

  genes have different variants associated with biological activity

  • psychologists look at families as variants get passed down
  • twin studies use concordance rates to quantify genetic basis
  • adoption studies prevent overlap in environments
• does the idea of genetics ignore environmental influence?

  no

  • environment affects genes
  • idea of epigenetics
• outline the role of evolution in explaining behaviour

  certain behaviours exist because they're adaptive

  • traits with selective advantage is likely to be passed down
  • e.g. aiding survival, sexual competition or protection
• does the idea of evolution ignore environmental influence?

  no

  • environment dictates what's advantageous
  • how species adapt to environment over time
• outline the role of neurochemistry and nervous system in explaining behaviour

  complex network of electrical and chemical activity

  • brain activity relies on electrochemical messages
  • changes in brain levels change how we think and feel
  • different brain regions change behaviour if they get damaged or work differently
• one strength of the biological approach

  real world application

  • development of drugs for mental health, economic implications
  • more holistic approach would be appropriate
  • useful perspective but abstract
• one weakness of the biological approach

  reductionism

  • underestimates complexity of human behaviour
  • ignores emotions and sociocultural factors
  • parsimonious approach
• second weakness of the biological approach

  biologically deterministic

  • controlled by genetics and don't have any free will
  • oversimplification to assume behaviour is pre-determined and fixed
  • damages credibility
• define genotype

  genetic make-up of an individual
• what's a hormone?

  chemical produced by endocrine glands causing physiological reactions
• define gene

  part of chromosome of organism carrying inheritable information
• what's natural selection?

  characteristics enhancing reproductive success or survival are passed down
• define phenotype

  observable characteristics of an individual resulting from genes and environment
• define neurotransmitter

  chemical messengers stimulating our brain