biological approach

• What is the assumption of behaviour?


  All behaviour have a biological basis.
• What does the biological approach focus on?


  Genetics, neurochemistry and brain structure.
• What role has evolution had?


  It has shaped our behaviour.
• What is the genotype?


  The genetic code in an individual’s DNA.
• What is the phenotype?


  The physical expression of the genotype, influenced by the environment.
• What are concordance rates?


  Used in twin studies to measure the likelihood that both twins share a trait.
• What is natural selection?

  Traits that increase survival and reproduction are passed on.
• What does evolution explain?


  Explains behaviours such as aggression and mate selection, e.g fight or flight response evolved for survival.
• What are neurotransmitters?


  Chemical messengers in the brain, e.g serotonin which affects mood, low levels linked to depression, dopamine which is linked to schizophrenia and addiction.
• Different brain regions….


  control different behaviours.
• What is the frontal lobe involved in?


  Decision-making, problem solving and emotional regulation.
• What is the amygdala involved in?


  Emotional processing, especially fear.
• What is the hypothalamus involved in?


  Regulating basic functions such as hunger and stress responses.
• What is the CNS?


  A nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
• What is the PNS?


  Includes the somatic and automatic nervous systems.
• What is used to do brain scans?

  fMRI and PET scans to observe brain activity.
• What are drug trails used for?


  Test the effects of neurochemical changes on behaviour.
• What are twin studies done for?

  To compare monozygotic and dizygotic twins to assess genetic influence.
• What are strengths of the biological approach?


  1. Highly objective, uses brain scanning and genetic testing.
  2. Leads to real-world treatments (e.g drug therapies for mental illnesses)
• What are limitations of the biological approach?


  1. Reduces complex behaviour to simple biological processes
  2. Suggests behaviour is pre-determined by biology, ignoring free will and environmental factors.
• What is a concordance rate?


  The percentage of similarity between individuals in a study, typically used in research on genetics or twin studies. It shows how often two individuals (usually twins) share a particular trait or behavior.
• What are hormones?


  Chemical messengers released by glands into the bloodstream. E.g Cortisol regulates stress
• What is assumed that the brain is influenced by in the biological approach?

  Biological structures and processes (e.g genetics, neurochemistry, the nervous system).
• What are genes?


  Units of heredity passed from parents to offspring.
• Based on Darwin’s theory of natural selection…


  Traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on. E.g aggression may have evolved for defence or competition.
• Why are family studies conducted?

  Examine traits across generations.
• Why are adoption studies conducted?

  Separate environmental from genetic factors
• Why are animal studies conducted?

  To infer biological mechanisms in humans.
• Is the biological approach nature or nurture?

  Emphasises nature but acknowledges gene-environment interaction.
• Is the biological approach free will or deterministic?

  Supports biological determinism.
• Is the biological approach reductionist or holistic?


  Highly reductionist, focuses only on biological factors.
• Why is the approach being scientific and objective a strength?

  It uses controlled scientific methods such as neuroimaging (e.g fMRI) and genetic research (twin studies). These methods allow for precise, objective and quantifiable data, reducing bias. For instance, Raine et al (1997) used PET scans to show differences in brain activity in individuals with antisocial personality disorder. These techniques provide reliable evidence for biological explanations of behaviour and are replicable, ensuring validity.
• Why is the approach leading to advances in understanding mental illnesses a strength?

  Research such as Gottesman & Gould (2003) has shown a genetic component in the development of schizophrenia, with higher concordance found in MZ twins compared to DZ twins. Similarly, Caspi et al. (2003) found that individuals with a specific variant of the 5-HTT gene were more likely to develop depression after stressful life events. This has improved the understanding of the genetic and neurochemical factors that contribute to mental illnesses.
• Why can the advances of understanding mental illness also be a limitation?

  The research can criticised for overemphasising genetic factors and underestimating the influence of environment and personal experience.
• Why is the reductionist nature of the approach a limitation?

  It often reduces complex behaviours to implement biological explanations. For example, explaining depression solely in terms of serotonin imbalances (e.g Brewerton 1994) neglects psychological and social factors like trauma or life stress, showing the failing to account for the full complexity of human behaviour which may involve psychological, social and environmental factors.
• Why is the deterministic nature of the approach a limitation?

  The approach often suggests that behaviour is determined by genetic and neurobiological factors. For example, studies like Cloninger et al. (1993) suggest that dopamine may predispose individuals into addiction, which may not be entirely true as it challenges the concept of free will, suggesting that individuals have limited control over their behaviour.