biological approach

• What is the biological approach


  Influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour
• What are 2 key assumptions of the biological approach

  Much of human behaviour has a physiological cause which may be genetically altered

  Genes alter our behaviour and influence individuals
• What are characteristics 


  The product of inherited or environmental influences
• What are the three studies in the biological approach 


  Twin

  Family

  Adoption
• What are the studies used to investigate

  Genetic basis of behaviour
• What are monozygotic identical twins (mz) 


  One zygote

  Twins formed when fertilised egg cell splits into two

  Forms two separate embryos
• what are dizygotic non-identical (dz)


  Two zygotes

  Twins formed when two separate eggs both become fertilised by different sperm cells
• What’s an example of a twin study 


  Gottesman and shields
• What was the aim of Gottesman and Shields study


  to establish that there are genetic components that lead to schizophrenia
• What type of twins did Gottesman + Shields look at 


  Mz and Dz
• What did Gottesman and shields find


  there is genetic componen to schizophrenia

  The closer the genetic link , the more likely both twins are to show schizophrenia symptom. The monozygotic concordance rate was lower than 100% meaning they do t always share the the symptoms suggesting genetics is not the only cause of schizophrenia
• What is concordance rate


  How much twins are in concordance with one another
• What can family studies be used to investigate 


  Alcoholism
• What did Galton say about natural abilities in a family study 


  Natural ability Is inherited
• What does family studies say about alcoholism 


  Suggests that if a parent is an alcoholic then you will also develop this. Genetics are 50% responsible for the development of alcoholism
• What are adoption studies 


  Comparing a trait between adopted children and their adoptive parents vs biological parents
• What is heritability 


  amount of variablitly in a trait within a population
• What is evolution 


  A change in inherited characteristics over a certain amount of time to become successful - Darwin
• What is evolution proof of


  Your behaviour change
• What are the principles in natural selection


  1. Diversity
  2. Interaction
  3. Differential amplification
• What is the principle of diversity


  Genetic variation in a population
• What is the principle of interaction


  Adaption to the environment
• What is the principle of differential amplification 


  Reproduction
• What is sexual selection


  Males have sperm so reproduce

  Females have limited eggs

  Females therefore look for a supportive farther
• What are methods used in the biological approach 


  Laboratory experiments

  Observations

  Scanning techniques

  Brain recordings
• What are strengths of the biological approach

  Scientific - cause and effect - increases reliability Scientific - cause and effect - increases reliability

  Objective measurements - increasing validTy

  Increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain - lead to the development of drugs - real world application

  Hard determinism- behaviour is governed by biological causes
• Limitations of the biological approach

  • deterministic = no free will
  • Reductionist = reduces behaviour to biological structures which is dehumanising
  • Ignores role of environment