Biological Approach

• Assumptions of the Biological Approach


  • Psychology should be seen as a SCIENCE
  • BEHAVIOUR can be explained in terms of genetics
  • Most BEHAVIOUR will have an ADAPTIVE/ EVOLUTION side.
• The influence of genes on behaviour

  HEREDITARY- Passed on through generations

  • Genes carry instructions for a particular characteristic
  • How the characteristic develops depends on:

  - How genes interact with one another

  - The effect on the environment
• GENOTYPE and PHENOTYPE


  • The GENOTYPE is the inherited genetic code that is written in the DNA of an individuals cells
  • The PHENOTYPE is the observable results from inherited information
  • GENOTYPE is only the potential for characteristics
  • PHENOTYPES are affected by environment
• HERITABILITY


  Heritability refers to the amount of variability (e.g. different levels of aggression), within a trait in a population (e.g. Sherborne), which can be attributed to genetic differences (genes) between individuals within that population.
• VARIABILITY


  • HIGH VARIABILITY- Likely due to genes
  • LOW VARIABILITY- Likely due to environment
  • To study the effect of genes and environment, we can use MZ (monozygous) twins, as they have 100% the same genes but different environments
• What is Evolution?


  • Species change over time to become more adapted to their environment
  • This is called natural selection
  • Humans inherit characteristics that help them survive
  • The species that survive pass on those desired characteristics to their offspring when they reproduce. Those that do not survive do not reproduce or pass on characteristics
• Evolutionary Evidence


  BUSS (1989)

  • Questionnaire across 37 different cultures
  • Found universal similarities in human mate preferences, i.e. the characteristics they prioritised
  • Women prioritised: Mates with resources
  • Men Prioritised: Young, Physically attractive women
• Positives of the Biological Approach


  Scientific method used:

  • Research takes place in a lab
  • Buss’ study of relationships was conducted with a questionnaire where questions and rating systems were controlled
  • This means other researchers can replicate the research under same conditions= reliable

  Has real life applications:

  • Understanding biological processes can allow us to see causes and treatments for mental disorders
  • Those with OCD are likely to have low levels of serotonin, hence medication can be given
• Weaknesses of the Biological approach


  The approach is reductionist:

  • Looks at complex behaviours but focuses on genes, evolution and biological processes
  • Oversimplified and effect of environment ignored
  • OCD could be caused by stressful environment, not serotonin, medication may not be treating the cause
• What is a weakness of the reductionist approach?

  It oversimplifies complex behaviors
• How does the reductionist approach view complex behaviors?

  It focuses on genes, evolution, and biological processes
• What is a potential cause of OCD according to the weaknesses mentioned?

  Stressful environment, not serotonin
• What do critics argue about evolutionary evidence in behavior?

  It does not account for all types of behavior
• What do critics say about established characteristics and survival value?

  They have no obvious survival value
• How might aggression be viewed in terms of evolutionary benefits?

  Aggression had benefits thousands of years ago
• What alternative theory might better explain characteristics like aggression?

  Social Learning Theory (SLT)